The pair of ECOSTRALIS AS440S46TX/P 6x2 mid-lift tractor units both carry the initials of Silvanus William Wreford, who established the company in 1904.  They were ordered following a vehicle demonstration programme organised by local dealer Stormont Truck & Van and described by Director Andy Wreford as “the way all truck dealers should operate”.

To ensure Wreford’s drivers could get the full measure of Iveco’s heavy truck range, Stormont Truck & Van loaned an ECOSTRALIS demonstrator for three weeks – allowing a thorough appraisal of the vehicle against existing marques within the mixed fleet.  The dealer also supplied a regular Stralis tractor, allowing direct comparison between the two Iveco models.

Wreford says: “Stormont were prepared to offer us exactly what we wanted – the chance to put the Iveco tractor units through their paces for a decent period of time.  Most dealers only lend demonstrators from Monday to Friday, but this allowed us to embed the Ivecos in our operation, and we liked what we found.”

Iveco and Stormont secured the order after telematics reports showed the ECOSTRALIS had performed competitively on fuel.  The company also favoured the ECOSTRALIS for its three year / 420,000 km warranty*.

The two new tractor units join a fleet of 120 commercial vehicles ranging from 3.5 to 44 tonnes, of which approximately 80 per cent are tractor units.  The fleet includes a number of 7.5 tonne Iveco Eurocargos.

The two ECOSTRALIS’ will operate primarily nationwide, with drivers living in the cab throughout the week and clocking-up more than 120,000 km a year.  They are expected to remain on fleet for up to seven years.

Commenting on the vehicles’ fuel-saving potential, Wreford explains: “I’ve put one of my most fuel-efficient drivers behind the wheel of one of the ECOSTRALIS’ and I’m intrigued to see what he achieves. Based upon our experience with the demonstrator, I’m quietly confident.”

Both tractors have been fitted with mobile telephones, Garmin truck satellite navigation systems and VeriLocation tracking devices – standard equipment across the Wreford’s fleet.  The customer is also trialling a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on one of the new tractors.

Power is provided by a re-mapped version of the FPT Cursor 10 engine, which is EEV-rated and capable of producing up to 460 hp and a maximum torque of 2,100 Nm between 1,050 and 1,550 rev/min.

Iveco has matched this engine with multiple fuel-saving features including an ECOSWITCH device which limits engine torque according to the truck’s gross vehicle weight – ensuring overall performance is maintained in line with that of a fully laden vehicle.   This allows fuel consumption to be minimised during acceleration without affecting overall speed capability.  ECOSTRALIS models also feature a EuroTronic transmission with a special ECOfleet mode which adjusts to the loading of the vehicle to fine-tune fuel economy, a higher gearing and an 85 km/h speed limiter.

*whichever comes first