Lombard Shipping plc is taking delivery of five Stralis Active Space Super³ tractor units from Iveco distributor Chatfields, in a deal which sees the 30-strong UK based fleet become 100 per cent Iveco.
Commenting on the latest fleet replacements, Gary O’Riordan, General Manager at Lombard Shipping, says: “The new AS Super³ cabs are like hotel rooms on the road and are proving a big hit with our drivers. There is so much room inside it gives them plenty of space to work, relax and sleep, whilst the lockers provide all the storage space you could ever need.”
Lombard Shipping took delivery of its first Iveco in 2002 and has been adding to its fleet ever since, with its vehicle park spanning the complete cross-section of Iveco vehicles ranging from 44 tonne Stralis tractor units through to 18 and 7.5 tonne Eurocargos and a number of Daily panel vans.
“The salesman who sold me my first Stralis six years ago now works for another dealer and has been keen to get me behind the wheel of a different marque. I’ve had to explain that he did such a good job in the first instance, and the Stralis has performed so well – especially in terms of fuel economy, reliability and dealer support – that I’m simply not interested in changing,” he adds.
Each of the new Stralis 6x2 mid-lift tractors (AS440S45TX/P) benefit from Iveco’s flagship AS Super³ cab, which marks Iveco’s entry into the premium ‘big-cab’ market. The standard specification includes a heated and air-suspended driver’s seat with four separate comfort level settings, air-conditioning, slide-out fridge, Eberspacher night heater, electrically operated roof-vent and windscreen blind, door roller blinds and smart black curtains to enclose the entire cab area.
In comparison with the previous Stralis AS model, the new AS Super³ cab offers 20 per cent more internal space, together with a 15 per cent increase in storage space. It also features sleek new external styling to further improve aerodynamic efficiency, with each of these new vehicles being fitted with an air kit with side skirts.
Lombard Shipping has also installed state-of-the-art CarrierWeb tracking systems into the new vehicles, which not only relays the position of the vehicle at all times, but also collects data from a variety of sensors built into the Stralis. The device – which is standard fitment across the fleet – can also receive text messages from Lombard Shipping’s traffic office, enabling important messages to be communicated instantly with all drivers at the touch of a button.
The new vehicles will operate with 13.6m tri-axle curtainsided trailers and have been supplied on a three year full service contract hire agreement through Iveco Finance. They will be based at the company’s brand new facility in Knowsley, Merseyside, with routine servicing & maintenance carried out by Chatfields in Warrington.
The five Stralis AS440S45TX/P tractors are each powered by a 450 hp example of Iveco’s proven 10.3 litre Cursor 10 engine (Euro 5), driven through a twelve speed EuroTronic gearbox, which offers either fully or semi-automated shifts.