Iveco’s new flagship Stralis Active Space Super³ tractor unit has been voted Drivers’ Truck of the Year 2007 by a jury of five members of TruckNet UK, the country’s largest website for professional drivers.
The Iveco Stralis powered home in first place with a total of 350 marks out of 500, scoring highly for its ‘Tardis-like’ interior, which offers 20 per cent more internal space (+1.8m³) than the previous AS model. In clinching the drivers’ favorite-truck status, the Stralis beat off stiff competition from top-of-the-range models put forward by five other truck manufacturers including Daf, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Scania and Volvo (MAN-ERF declined to enter the competition). Even in the tie break question Stralis stood out from the crowd, taking three out of the five votes for “which truck would you most like to take home”.
The competition was set-up by TruckNet UK in conjunction with Truck & Driver magazine, with each of the panel members being working HGV drivers. The team inspected a total of six assembled vehicles, with a brief to mark each truck on the day whilst ignoring past experiences with any other make or model. As the trucks were on static display the judges concentrated on the living and working environment.
Rikki Chequer, Community Manager of TruckNet UK, explained: “After almost three hours of prodding, peering and poking, our judges’ verdict was unanimous. All reckoned the Iveco Stralis won their marks simply because it’s living and working environment was easily the most driver-friendly.”
Brian Weatherley, Editor of Truck & Driver, added: “Significantly, they all admitted to being surprised by the impression the new Stralis AS Super³ made on them, and by the giant strides Iveco has made in ensuring it finally has a serious contender in the ‘elite’ flagship stakes.”
On receiving the award from Mr Chequer, Henk van Leuven, Managing Director of Iveco UK, said: “The fact that this award has been made by driver’s makes it extra special in Iveco’s eyes. Our designers spent a huge amount of time talking to drivers from all over Europe to ensure that the Stralis provides the best working environment possible.”
Supported by a nationwide network of 65 Iveco distributors and 34 authorised repairers, the new Stralis AS Super³ marks Iveco’s entry into the premium ‘big cab’ market. Amongst the most notable features inside the cab are larger, more comfortable bunks offering five-star rest for a crew of up to two drivers, with the lower bunk incorporating a large folding table and a passenger ‘comfort’ seat. Internal storage space has been increased by a further 15 per cent, whilst external storage compartments have also been made larger, with an electronically operated, interior lit, upper and lower locker on each side of the cab – ideal for stowage of wet gear and bulky outdoor jackets.
The Stralis also benefits from new air suspended, heated and multi-adjustable seats ensuring all drivers can find their ideal driving position, upholstered in Alfa-Tec - a unique microfibre fabric that combines comfort, practicality and style, whilst ensuring excellent durability. For those drivers looking for the ultimate on-board luxury, leather seats can be specified as an option.
The floor of the cab is coated with an innovative polyurethane material that is more resistant to wear than conventional carpeting and is easier to clean. The new vehicle also features a revised dashboard made out of high quality durable plastics, whilst the multifunctional dashboard display features white backlighting, designed to reduce driver fatigue by being less tiring on the eye, even on long journeys – as well as additional lighting with new roof lamps and a striking grey and black interior trim.
The first new customer vehicles entered operation in the UK during October, with current orders marking a growth of 25 per cent in sales compared with figures for 2006. To-date, more than 500 top-of-the-range Stralis AS Super³ tractor units have been ordered, with Iveco committing additional production to the UK market to meet demand, and reducing lead times to just five months (in comparison with many other manufacturers quoting lead times of nearly a year for heavy trucks).
The complete Stralis model line-up spans the 19 to 44 tonne sector and offers a total of three cabs – Active Day, Active Time and Active Space – available in five different configurations. This ensures that there is a Stralis suitable for every type of road transport application, ranging from urban deliveries right through to long distance international haulage.
TruckNet UK Drivers’ Choice Results
(Marks out of 500)
Iveco Stralis AS Super³ 350
Renault Magnum 340
Mercedes-Benz Actros MegaSpace 336
DAF XF105 Space Cab 331
Scania V8 Griffin 328
Volvo FH16 Globetrotter 321