Better than the race to show off the new registration number in March and September, having the very first example of a brand-new model of truck is an accolade that hard to achieve.
Guests Trucks customer, Mtec has jumped the queue by ordering a left hand drive version for continental operation ahead of the introduction of the right hand drive version in the UK later this year.
Iveco will be hoping that the queue for the new S-WAY will be a long one because historically, Iveco has not been overly successful in selling their Stralis tractor unit in the UK. The company is hoping that this will change with their new S-WAY cab, amongst the roomiest in the market.
Iveco are telling us that they have a “strong forward-order bank.” The range is made up of Diesel-powered Euro VI/d HI-SCR 8.7, 11.1 and 12.9-litre diesel engines capable of providing 330 to 570-horsepower. Iveco’s gas engines branded ‘Natural Power’ will follow, offering a 340 and 400hp from the 8.7-litre CURSOR 9 and 460hp from the 12.9-litre CURSOR 13, both capable of running on Compressed or Liquid Natural Gas.
Why Buy S-Way?
Financed through a 60-month Hire Purchase agreement with IVECO Capital, the new vehicle has been delivered with a comprehensive 5-year Elements 3XL Repair & Maintenance contract.
Iveco claim that their advanced aerodynamics contributes to a 4% decrease in fuel consumption, plus additional reductions in NOx and CO2 emissions over its predecessor.
“IVECO is very competitive with regards R&M,” said Mtec Managing Director, David Williams. “We did some costings over five years and factoring this in, we would save a good 30% by choosing IVECO.”
Top Spec Truck
The new Mtec truck is an IVECO S-WAY AS440S57T/P 4×2 in white with dealer fitted colour-coded door mirrors and front grille. Based on what is now the market-leader for interior space, the AS sleeper cab, Mtec have opted for painted side-skirts, Premium Style Pack (aluminium air tanks, external sun visor, cab-colour plastics and an extended catwalk), light-weight Alcoa Dura-bright polished aluminium wheels, full LED tail and adaptive headlights as well as aftermarket LightFix Skyeyes corner lighting bars with LED spotlights and safety beacons.
Inside, the truck has been equipped with an integrated parking cooler, the Living Comfort Plus and Driving Comfort Plus Packs (air-suspended passenger seat, reclining lower bunk with Smart upper, ambient lighting, under cab storage, premium fridge, door roller blinds, climate control air conditioning, leather steering wheel, connectivity box and a 7” infotainment system incorporating a truck-focussed TomTom LIVE navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio & Bluetooth).
With often heavy loads aboard and regularly traversing the Alps, Mtec has chosen the CURSOR 13 diesel engine with 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated transmission. The high-power, high-efficiency engine is the most powerful 13-litre on the market, producing a EURO VI/d compliant 570-horsepower and 2,500 Newton metres of torque at between 1,000 and 1,605rpm. This has been combined with Rocking Mode for low-grip situations and IVECO HI-CRUISE, a system that uses GPS mapping to ascertain the most efficient gear selection for the road ahead.
What the Operator Says
The new addition is left hand drive for extended use across Europe, pulling climate-controlled trailers packed with artwork and exhibition goods across the continent with depots in the south-east of England, Belgium and Venice.
Ordered with the steering wheel on the left, this vehicle will live in mainland Europe for most of its working week and joins a busy fleet of 23 vehicles. The new IVECO S-WAY is in good company with over half of that number made up of climate-controlled IVECO Daily vans and specialist Stralis trucks.
David Williams saw some early drawings of what has become the new IVECO S-WAY and as soon as it was announced, decided that Mtec needed one on its fleet, commenting: “I always like new technology, and if it’s based on environmental prowess then even better. We were early adopters of EURO 6 back in 2013 and are looking at a move to CNG for our heavy trucks looking ahead, and IVECO are the pioneers in gas technology.”
“I met Bal Singh (Guests’ Key Account Director) by chance at the Commercial Vehicle Show a number of years ago. Impressed by his technical knowledge and the speed at which he dealt with a subsequent enquiry,” says David, “a few months later I ordered another pair of trucks from him. I can’t praise him or the rest of the Guests Peterborough team enough. In aftersales support too, they really have pulled out all the stops for us and long may our relationship continue.”
Commenting on the handover, Guest Trucks Managing Director, Rob Spittle says “We’re very proud to deliver the first UK-registered IVECO S-WAY. This truck represents a real step-change in appeal, for both drivers and fleet managers through outstanding TCO and a first-rate driving and living experience. We hope the Mtec team enjoy the new truck and we look forward to the arrival of right-hand drive vehicles later this year.”
“We’re exceptionally excited to see the first IVECO S-WAY on the roads sporting a UK registration,” adds Gareth Lumsdaine, IVECO UK’s Heavy Business-line Director. “Even better that the first should demonstrate so comprehensively the depth of specification that the new range offers in terms of connectivity, style, driver comfort and aerodynamics as this. Combine this with our robust R&M packages and low TCO, we have a true all-rounder when it comes competitiveness and desirability.”
