Sales results for the Daily van range at the end of this year’s September quarter were up by almost 40 per cent when compared with the same point in time in 2020.
The Daily has also become the cab-chassis of choice for many of the motorhome builders in Australia with its combination of car-like driving experience and rugged underpinnings.
For 2021, the Daily’s reputation for its well-appointed cabin and a level of comfort, worthy of prestige cars, has been complemented by a much higher level of technical and safety advances.
The heated and suspended fully adjustable driver’s seat is now also standard across the range and features multiple points of adjustment with lumbar support and an armrest. Available in single and six seat dual configuration, the cab-chassis range has GVMs starting at the car licence rated 4,495kg through to 7,200kg.
There are also multiple wheelbase choices and IVECO’s popular work-ready, alloy tray
“Tradie-Made” model now has two tray length and wheelbase options. Cab Chassis models are also available with a Power Take-Off (PTO) and expansion module options which allow body-builders to fit more sophisticated bodies. Depending on the application, owners can also specify an optional rear differential lock and Electronically-Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) across both van and cab chassis variants.
The 2021 E6 Daily cab-chassis is available with two versions of the 3.0-litre, direct injection engine with Variable Geometry Turbine (VGT) which produces 132kW (180hp) and 430 Nm, or a range-topping variant with an electronically-controlled Variable Geometry Turbine (e-VGT) can be selected which develops a sector-leading 155kW (210hp) and 470Nm of torque.
Both engines utilise Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to meet the Euro VI emission standards.
Under normal circumstances the 20-litre AdBlue tank should only require topping up once every six or seven diesel refills. Matched to the engines is a choice of either a conventional six-speed synchromesh overdrive manual gearbox, or the Hi-Matic eight-speed full automatic sourced from ZF which has Eco and Power modes as well as sequential manual shifting capabilities via the multifunctional shift lever.
The Hi-Matic provides seamless power delivery, ultra-fast 200 millisecond gear changes and a wide ratio spread ensuring the engine is always running within its optimum rev range.
Now standard across the entire range is an Advanced Emergency Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), enhanced ‘ESP9’ technologies and Crosswind Assist. Crosswind Assist uses the ESP system to help stabilise the vehicle if it is hit by a sudden gust of wind.
The technology is particularly helpful for models with large lateral surface areas such as the larger van models and cab chassis’ fitted with pantech or motorhome bodies. Additional safety equipment such as City Brake, Queue Assist, Hill Descent Control and Traction Plus are also available as part of the ‘Hi-Technology’ option pack.
City Brake is great to use at low speeds in traffic which is frequently stopping and starting. The technology works by priming the braking system to provide faster response if it detects an imminent collision.
It also delivers visual and audible warnings and if the driver fails to react it will activate the AEBS to stop the vehicle. Hill Descent Control, which is actuated via a dash-mounted button, is essentially a cruise control function for low-speed down-hill driving, providing a more controlled descent particularly in wet and slippery conditions.
Traction Plus, which is also engaged at the touch of a button, operates at speeds up to 30 km/h and helps maintain traction on slippery surfaces by automatically applying the brakes to the drive wheel that’s losing grip and transferring power to the wheel with the most traction.
The new Daily E6’s revised interior now contains additional cabin appointments to make the operator’s time on the road even more comfortable and convenient including the introduction of an optional new ‘Hi-Connect’ touchscreen multimedia and navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and inductive phone charging.
The Daily E6 has an innovative electronic parking brake located on the dash, the elimination of the conventional brake lever providing extra space and easier movement around the cabin, especially if the driver needs to exit via the passenger side on a busy road.
The new park brake also engages automatically at key-off and disengages once the driver’s seat belt is on, the key is on and ‘drive’ selected (neutral for manual models).
IVECO has estimated that the automatic electronic park brake can save up to five hours of working time each month in typical metropolitan courier applications.
The vehicle can also be locked externally with the engine still running, keeping the interior environment at the selected temperature while the driver is performing a hand delivery. In line with a number of its relations in the IVECO heavy duty truck range, the Daily E6 adopts a three-piece front bumper.
If it becomes damaged, this allows any of the three sections to be replaced individually, helping reduce costs for owners. Due to its European flair and build quality, combined with an impressive array of technologies, the IVECO Daily E6 cab-chassis adds another choice for local buyers of light trucks.
