Truckmaker spruiks off-roader’s emergency service credentials
Iveco Australia has released details of its ‘replicated real-world’ tests involving two Eurocargo ML150 4×4 off-roaders through central Victoria.
The program at Tallarook State Forest, north of Melbourne, had the two units – one with a full automatic transmission and the other with an automated manual transmission (AMT) – navigate demanding bush tracks on inclines and declines of more than 30 per cent gradient.
Iveco says the exercise was used to analyse the best features, and any limitations, of both transmission types, and a desire to provide the most suitable vehicles possible for emergency service markets, with Country Fire Authority (CFA) driver trainers, CFA and Iveco engineers, product managers and key account staff in attendance.
It notes that while AMT is suited to operating on hills, the full torque converter automatic with ability to eliminate rollback from standstill and similar characteristics to an automatic car proving more attractive for less-experienced drivers.
Read our journey of the Eurocargo and Daily models through the Simpson Desert
“Across the commercial vehicle industry there has been a noticeable shift in recent years from manual to automated and full automatic transmissions, as operators search for a more relaxed and safer driving experience with the benefits of reduced maintenance costs,” Iveco Australia senior key account manager Rory Wale says.
“More importantly though, there has been a change in drivers’ skillsets – many emergency service bodies are run by volunteers who may occasionally drive trucks, but most are not professional drivers.
“With this in mind, we seek to supply the safest and most user-friendly options to suit the application.
“The ease of use and drivability of the full automatic is certainly attractive to many, and we’re very likely to see this transmission become the preference in the years ahead.”