We had decided on a new IVECO Daily 4×4.  So what is it?

The base chassis

The basic chassis and 4×4 drive chain is actually made by the unfortunately named SCAM (http://www.scamtrucks.it/index.php) an Italian company specialising in light tactical vehicles. SCAM have just announced that they are changing their name to SCV S.r.l from the 12 Jul 17. The vehicle consists of the new Daily cab, engine and main gear box, attached to the SCAM chassis, transfer gearbox and axles.  This gives a great combination of rugged military running gear and chassis, with the comfortable modern Daily cab and efficient Euro 5 EEV engine (http://www.iveco.com/uk/products/pages/daily_4x4_features_and_benefits.aspx).

The vehicle has been specifically designed for working off-road from the outset. It even has as standard fit, a switch to turn off the engine cooling fan whilst driving through deep water!   It is a permanent 4×4 with a 68% rear and 32% front torque distributing centre differential, which is lockable and also has front and rear differential locks.  The transfer gear boxes have two hi/lo selectable ratios: the first is useable while in motion to provide an effective half gear change (Normal 1:1 or Low 1:1.244); and the second is selectable when stationary and is in effect an on road/off road selection (Normal 1:3.115 or Low 1:3.866).  Coupled with the 6 speed main gearboxes, this gives 24 forward and 4 reverse gears!

The base vehicle is capable of climbing 45 degree slopes, traversing 40 degree slopes and wading through 660 mm water (760 mm with air suspension, see below) when at the maximum mass of 5500 kg.  The engine has a maximum power of 125 Kw (170 Hp) between 3200 and 3500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1250 to 3000 rpm.

The fuel consumption at max weight is in the region of 14 L/100km (20 mpg).  There are 2 power take-offs available, but we are not using any of them.  The vehicle has ABS and the really nice thing is that it is turned off when a diff-lock is selected; so no messing about with juddering brakes when off-road.

Air suspension

We have opted to have Goldschmitt supplementary air suspension added to the front and rear axles (http://www.goldschmitt.de/produkte/luftfedern/zusatzluftfedern.html).  This firms up the ride on-road and is great for levelling-up the vehicle at night for sleeping, as each wheel can be individually adjusted.  It also allows us to raise the vehicle for river crossings and provides an air reservoir which can be used for re-inflating the tyres.

Iveco Daily 4×4  -v-  Land Rover Defender 130

	Landrover Defender 130	Iveco Daily 4×4
Vehicle size L x W x H	5271 x 1790 x 2035 mm	5432 x 2016 x 2610 mm
Max AUW	3500 kg	5500 kg Cuthbert 5900 kg
Base vehicle kerb weight	2137 kg	2545 kg
Available payload	1363 kg	2955 kg Cuthbert 3355 kg
Ground Clearance	250 mm	300 mm
Wading depth	500 mm	660 mm
Approach angle	49 deg	50 deg
Departure angle	35 deg	41 deg
Differential locks	Centre	Front/Centre/Rear
Turning circle	15.2 m	15.2 m
Engine	90 Kw   360 Nm	125 Kw   400 Nm
Gearbox	6 speed   Hi/Lo total 12   forward 2 reverse gears	6 speed   Hi/Lo 1, Hi/Lo 2 total 24   forward 4 reverse gears

As you can see, they are very similar in length, width, turning circle and off-road clearances. However, in terms of payload, the Daily 4×4 has more than twice the load capacity of a Landrover.

One advantage of a commercial truck base-chassis, is that the vehicle is designed to be driven with high payloads for long distances, every day.  Also the service intervals are longer.  In my view, the general quality of engineering of a commercial truck chassis is much more robust than the build quality of a ‘car-based’ 4×4 (and not only in respect of its extra payload capacity).

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