Last week saw Iveco launch the strongest and most versatile vehicle in its extensive line-up of Daily light commercial vehicles at SED 2009, with the introduction of the latest Daily 4x4 to the UK market – built specifically to tackle off road missions, uneven ground, steep gradients and slippery tracks.
The new Daily 4x4, with its great combination of payload capacity and off-road performance, is built onto a high-strength steel frame to ensure a robust foundation able to withstand the high stresses imposed by off road operation. It is available in two gross vehicle weight models (3.5 and 5.5 tonnes), with a choice of wheelbase (3,050 or 3,400 mm) and in two cab versions – three-seat day cab or six-seat crew cab.
Cab and chassis Styling cues for the new Daily 4x4 are taken from the existing on-road range of Daily’s, making the 4x4 model immediately recognisable as a member of the Iveco family. The cab is mounted high on the chassis frame to allow maximum suspension travel, with additional exterior steps into the cab provided for the driver and passengers, whilst a new steel front bumper houses the fog and dipped beam headlamp units.
In addition to the normal and wide angle mirrors mounted on the side of the cab, the new Daily 4x4 is equipped with a close proximity mirror on the passenger side of the vehicle which allows the driver to see obstacles in this ‘blind-spot’. The rear view mirrors are also available with either short mirror arms, suitable for the 2.0 m width of the vehicle, or long mirror arms to suit a body up to 2.3 m wide, with the mirrors also housing the side mounted indicator lights.
Underrun protection is provided at the rear of the chassis to guarantee protection in the event of a rear end collision. This feature can also be swivelled upwards and locked into position in order not to compromise off road operation.
Inside the cab is very similar to the on-road version of the Daily, although a number of special features have been introduced which are unique to this model. These include the addition of driver and passenger assistance handles to aid entrance to and egress from the cab, coupled with differential lock switches and transfer box controls mounted within easy reach of the driver.
Standard seating comprises a single multi-adjustable driver’s seat and a dual passenger seat in the regular cab, plus the option of seating for up to five passengers and a driver in the factory-built crew cab.
Engine At the heart of new Daily 4x4 is the Iveco 3.0 litre HPT engine. This four cylinder 16 valve diesel engine is equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and high pressure common rail fuel injection to provide class leading performance. This ensures the vehicle is capable of producing up to 400 Nm of torque over an engine speed range of 1,250 to 3,000 rev/min, and a maximum 176 hp between 3,200 and 3,500 rev/min, whilst meeting Euro 4 legislation.
Transmission Each Daily 4x4 features a ZF 6S400 overdrive six speed transmission coupled to the Iveco transfer box to provide continuous four wheel drive. The transfer box houses a third differential and a differential lock as standard equipment. The drive from the transfer box to the front and rear axles provides a torque distribution of 32 to the front axle and 68 to the rear axle in order to provide the best on and off road performance under all conditions of loading.
The transfer box controls provide for high, low and neutral drive ratios, selectable with the vehicle in motion and, for on and off road conditions, selectable with the vehicle at rest. Overall this ensures Daily has a choice of 24 forward drive gears (12 for mixed routes and 12 for off-road routes) and four reverse gears.
Drive axles
The rear axle on each Daily 4x4 is equipped with a differential lock as standard equipment, plus the option of a front axle differential lock.
An auxiliary power unit (APU) provides an electro hydraulic control facility through which differential locks are operated. The differential locks may be activated with the vehicle in motion and may be deactivated manually; deactivation is also made automatically depending on the vehicle’s speed.
There is the provision for a power take off (PTO) from the transmission and from the transfer box with a range of factory fitted PTOs available. Transfer box PTOs may also be used both under static conditions and with the vehicle in motion.
All vehicles are supplied as standard on 9.5R17.5 on/off road tyres, with off-road 255/100R16 tyres as optional equipment for both 3.5 and 5.5 tonne models.
Suspension
As you would expect of a vehicle designed to tackle quarries, building sites and extreme off-road uses, the Daily uses parabolic leaf springs for its suspension which offer high flexibility combined with a wide range of travel. 3.5 tonne models use a two leaved parabolic spring for the front axle and a three leaved pack for the rear, whilst 5.5 tonne versions use three and four leaved packs respectively.
The specification also includes the fitment of hydraulic dampers at the front and rear, whilst suspension stabilisers provide the anti roll function. Operators also have the option of specifying the 3.5 tonne models with the uprated 5.5 tonne suspension system for heavy-duty applications.
Braking system Each Daily 4x4 features twin piston disc brake sets (297 mm diameter) for the front axle and drum brakes (270 mm diameter) for the rear. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) is standard on all versions and during more demanding braking operations and difficult manoeuvres, ensures that the vehicle is brought to a halt in complete safety, reducing the stopping distances and maintaining vehicle direction stability.
Over ground with poor grip and non-compacted ground such as mud and snow, ABS is automatically deactivated when it is necessary to engage the differential lock.
Electrical system Daily 4x4 uses the same CAN architecture electrical system introduced with the latest Daily range, with additional functionality to manage the transfer box PTOs and differential lock operation.
A 110 Ah lead acid battery in combination with the 120 A alternator is used as standard equipment with a heavy-duty 140 A alternator available as an option.
Integrated electronic road speed limiters are included as standard equipment. 3.5 tonne models are calibrated at 110 km/h as standard with 120 km/h calibration optionally available with on road tyres only. 5.5 tonners are calibrated at 90 km/h as standard with (where legally permitted) 100 km/h calibrations with off road tyres and 120 km/h with on road tyres as optional equipment. Both core models are optionally available with an adjustable road speed limiter allowing the driver to set intermediate road speed limits according to the actual legal road speed limits applicable.
Cruise control is used for PTO engine speed management and is included as standard equipment.
UK Model range
Please see over the page for a breakdown of the UK model range.
Model |
Single Cab |
Crew Cab |
Wheelbase |
3,050mm |
3,400mm |
3,050mm |
3,400mm |
3,400mm |
Tyres |
9.5 R17.5 |
255/100 R16 |
9.5 R17.5 |
255/100 R16 |
9.5 R17.5 |
255/100 R16 |
9.5 R17.5 |
255/100 R16 |
9.5 R17.5 |
255/100 R16 |
9.5 R17.5 |
255/100 R16 |
Front approach angle |
49º |
51º |
49º |
51º |
48º |
50º |
48º |
50º |
49º |
51º |
48º |
50º |
Ramp angle |
27º |
27º |
31º |
31º |
27º |
27º |
31º |
31º |
27º |
27º |
31º |
31º |
Rear departure angle |
31º |
33º |
29º |
31º |
30º |
32º |
28º |
30º |
29º |
31º |
28º |
30º |
Maximum rear departure angle |
42º |
44º |
40º |
42º |
41º |
43º |
39º |
41º |
40º |
42º |
39º |
41º |
Ground clearance |
255mm |
300mm |
255mm |
300mm |
255mm |
300mm |
255mm |
300mm |
255mm |
300mm |
255mm |
300mm |
Bank angle |
40º |
Maximum climbable gradient |
45º |
Turning circle |
6.4m |
7.6m |
6.4m |
7.6m |
7.6m |
Ford depth (up to) |
600mm |
