Iveco Daily 2013 Review

Respect. The world is lacking. But Iveco solved the problem - a huge four-wheel drive car rises above the flow of cars and commands the respect of everyone.

The Iveco Daily 4×4 with double cab will not fit in the mall parking lot. Its price is out of the budget of most people, and its height makes dizzy sufferers dizzy.

It's a reliable XNUMXxXNUMX yet practical and perfect for adventurers who love heights, extreme off-road exploration and the best parking spots in every mall in Australia. Take your child to school every day and you will also win big bragging rights.

The Daily 4×4 will tow up to 3500kg and has room for a custom body behind the double cab unit of about 2.5m - probably 3.5m for the single cab model.

VALUE

At $88,000 for a double cab chassis, it's cheaper than the upmarket Land Cruiser, but by the time you add a sleeper in the back, you'll probably be on par. I was joking - it's not really for stores. Designed primarily for commercial applications, it will still appeal to retirees or lottery winners who love the Outback.

The double cab is big enough to seat six, with exemplary head and legroom, suspension, full tilt and tilt adjustment, and heated front two seats. The cabin has an audio system, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, power side mirrors, large storage compartments and a cooled glove box.

Competitors include the Fuso FG and the Isuzu NPS, although both are physically larger and may require a truck license depending on the GVM. Volkswagen has not yet imported the Crafter 4Motion cab and van chassis.

Design

Big, square and yet almost pretty. In the flesh, he is huge, although in the photographs he looks like a toy Tonka. It's 2.7m high and 2m wide - though you'll have to add more for the giant side mirrors - with an impressive 300mm ground clearance with sand tires.

It also has a huge 50-degree approach angle and up to 41-degree rear that are hard to match. It has an impressive seating position, but is as basic as many vans. Indeed, the 4x4 is based on the Daily 2WD van.

The cabin floor is flat, allowing passengers to roam its vastness. The back seat can accommodate four adults, and there is a storage box under the pillows.

TECHNOLOGY

There is a 125-litre, four-cylinder, 400 kW/3 Nm twin-turbo intercooled diesel engine that consumes about 15 liters per 100 km. Maximum torque is reached at 1250 rpm and is maintained up to 3000 rpm. The engine drives all wheels through a six-speed dual-ratio manual transmission, effectively creating 24 front teeth.

There are three differential locks that can be engaged in series - center differential, rear and front - while the axles are reinforced units on leaf springs. It's solidly built, so it has a gross weight of 4.5 tons (5.2 tons optional) and its ability to handle that doesn't affect its 3.5-ton towing ability.

There are also front disc brakes with rear drums and hydraulic rack and pinion power steering. Michelin's tire range includes aggressive sand tires (tested) that are rated for speeds up to 100 km/h.

SECURITY

This is probably more of a concern to other road users. Daily 4×4 has no crash test results. It has two airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, but no electronic stabilization or traction control. The giant heated side mirrors have two sets of lenses each, and there is an additional side mirror above the passenger door.

DRIVING

Once you get past the height of the driver's seat, the Daily 4x4 is as easy to drive as most other vans. Sand tires howl (standard road tires rated at 110 km/h are better), and at 100 km/h the engine spins at 2200 rpm, making it a leisurely country cruiser.

It is comfortable and its size gives passengers a sense of security. The steering is pleasantly firm, while shifting and clutch operation are as good and light as most midsize passenger cars.

Visibility as a view from the third floor of the apartment. In the mud, at the RAC Driving Center near Perth International Airport, the Daily 4×4 is almost unstoppable. All smart things start with a grumpy engine and gear ratio depth. It's better to let the engine stall than to rev.

Differential locks save, and only in desperation will you need a front differential. Iveco says the truck can tilt 40 degrees before falling over - some information I haven't verified.

VERDICT

An extremely capable, surprisingly comfortable and well designed machine for a limited audience.