TEST DRIVE IVECO SHUTTLE 22 FAR FROM BASIC With the addition of the Shuttle 22 to its Daily minibus range, Iveco is providing a larger vehicle for standard operations that is far from basic when it comes to safety features and a quiet, comfortable ride. WORDS + IMAGES PAUL ALDRIDGE 48 <strong>ABC</strong> June 2021 busnews.com.au
The Iveco Daily minibus range has grown in Australia, with today’s test drive vehicle - the Shuttle 22 - the latest offering to the range. With a modern European design, the Daily minibus is available in 11-, 16- and 22-seat sizes, plus driver, with two trim levels – Shuttle and Executive – to meet the demands of the local minibus market. Speaking with regional sales manager George Stavrinou, we asked about the development of the range. “The first model came out around three years ago,” he explained. “We launched a 16 plus one [16 plus driver] in a Shuttle, which is the base model, and an Executive with leather seats [that is] a bit more upmarket. Then we followed with an 11 plus one, and we’ve had very good success with that. Around a year ago we brought out the 22 plus one, which is this model that you see in front of us and this is the latest model to the range.” As to why a 22-seat Shuttle seemed like the right way to expand, Stavrinou explained: “We felt like the 16-seater served a niche market, but we had requests from customers that really wanted to carry more passengers. So, we had a look at what we had available as far as chassis, and 22 was a good fit for the particular size of body that that we had available. “It meets a gap in the range and the target market will be rental companies that have minibuses on board: local tour operators, airport shuttle, aged care transport and government departments. We’ve built based on customer demand. It really has a big range of appeal. “We also have a bit of flexibility with this model to remove some seats from the rear and provide wheelchair access. We can make changes on a case-by-case basis, it all depends on what our customers need.” Being the times we are in, we asked Stavrinou about the order times and he confirms that Iveco has stock available right now for customers that are interested. “When we run out of the current stock we’re probably looking at around a six-month lead time if we’ve got to build a new one from scratch,” he added. PLENTY OF POWER Behind the Daily minibus range is a powerful Euro 6 engine with 180hp (134kW) and features a flat torque curve with maximum 430Nm from a low 1,500–3,000rpm. “The engine is a really sweet engine,” Stavrinou said. “We’ve been running the 180hp Iveco FIC for about three years now. The same engine is also running in some of our seven-tonne vehicles, as well; our seven-tonne daily truck cab chassis and also our vans run that same engine, all with the ZF behind it. “So, the variable geometry turbo really gives you ... a lot of torque down low and it’s a pretty flat torque curve. So, if you look at the specs, you get 430Nm@1,500 to 3,000rpm. It’s not like some competitors’ engines [that] will go up like a ramp, hit the peak torque and then fall off a cliff. These engines will actually make peak torque almost at idle. “The engine meets the strict Euro 6 emissions measure using a combination system of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction. Sometimes manufacturers will go one way or another, not often both but the advantage of going for a small EGR valve and then urea injection is you’re not using a lot of AdBlue. Our Euro 6 Daily use very little urea versus fuel, but I think for every 90-litre tank you only use around about three and a half to four litres of AdBlue.” ESP 9 – SAFETY PLUS Having the two model types, Shuttle and Executive, we asked what we should expect from the base Shuttle model and what options can be added, if required, to meet operators’ needs. “The difference between the two models is basically on a ‘finish only’ basis,” Stavrinou said. “All safety gear comes as standard in both models. What we’ve basically done is put all the options in the vehicle as standard.” So, today, we can expect a drive from a base model in the , but with no shortcuts or omission of features related to vehicle safety. We really appreciate when features, especially of a safety nature, are included as standard with the base model of a range. Often this will be the model chosen to transport school children and the elderly where a luxury finish isn’t required but safety is vital. “Iveco have added their top-of-the-line safety package called ESP 9 to all their Daily minibus range,” Stavrinou added. “It’s basically a safety package that we buy from Bosch with a long list of safety features, so, no matter what vehicle you buy, safety is the main priority.” The ESP 9 safety package includes, as standard: front and rear disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system (ABS); lane departure warning (LDW); driver’s supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbag; electronic brake force distribution; anti-slip regulator; drag torque control; hill hold control; adaptive load control; trailer sway mitigation; hydraulic rear wheel boost; hydraulic fading compensation; roll-movement intervention; roll-over mitigation; and daytime running lights. busnews.com.au June 2021 <strong>ABC</strong> 49
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