Iveco claims double-digit fuel economy boost for New Stralis
Iveco has revamped its Stralis heavy truck range, with modifications that it says will make the trucks the most efficient and reliable of their kind. A double-digit percentage improvement in fuel economy is claimed over equivalent predecessor models.
The New Stralis range has been designed by Iveco to offer operators in the heavy transport sector the lowest possible total cost of ownership and substantial reductions in CO2 emissions in short, medium and long haul operations. There is also, in what Iveco claims as a first, a gas-powered, long-haul truck.
While externally the truck appears little-changed from predecessor models, it has a new driveline with higher power ratings available, new electrical systems and electronic architecture, and incorporates the latest GPS-based predictive driving functions. There is also a new rear suspension system, and even new tyres!
The truck is offered in three versions: New Stralis is for short and medium haul operations, New Stralis XP is for long-haul international journeys and New Stralis NP is the gas-powered version, which can be configured for CNG and/or LNG fuel including biomethane.
Much attention is likely to be focussed on the flagship XP model, not least because with it Iveco has abandoned its SCR-only emissions control technology on two top engine ratings with the goal of reducing fuel consumption and increasing power by introducing a simple exhaust gas recirculation system to the emission control mix.
Hardware
The XP’s 11.11-litre Cursor 11 480 and 12.91-litre Cursor 13 570 (up from 560 hp on the previous model) FPT engines now feature what Iveco describes as ‘Smart EGR’: this recirculates eight per cent of exhaust gas back into the engine. The consequently cooler combustion enables injection timing to be advanced, yielding lower fuel consumption.
Torque on the Cursor 11 480 is up by 50 Nm. Iveco emphasises that this has been achieved without increasing the size of the truck’s radiator, reducing the truck’s service intervals or introducing the need for static PM filter regeneration.
The engines on XP models have what Iveco calls Smart Auxiliaries: the air compressor clutches out when it isn’t working, the alternator features energy recovery and smart battery monitoring, and the power-steering pump is variable-flow.
Engines on all models have been improved to reduce internal friction losses.
Under a long-standing agreement, Iveco gets first use of new automated transmissions developed by ZF, and New Stralis has ZF’s all-new Hi-Tronix 12-speed automated gearbox as standard.
This gearbox answers criticisms levelled at previous offerings from the German manufacturer voiced by drivers and operators. Shift times are reduced by 10 per cent, and it has been designed to handle twice the number of gearshifts of the previous generation of AS-Tronic/Eurotronic transmissions, improving durability by up to 1.6 million kilometres.
The gearbox is also easier to maintain and repair than its predecessor. Noise is reduced by 6 db, and the torque capacity to mass ratio, ratio spread and internal efficiency are all claimed to be best-in-class.
It also has a ‘creep’ function allowing it to work like a torque converter transmission at very low speeds, a rocking function to enable the truck to ‘unstick’ itself on soft or slippery surfaces, four reverse gear ratios, and a new range of PTO options.
Iveco has shaved 45 kg off the weight of the rear suspension system, which now has all its metallic components treated against corrosion. There’s a new low-friction single-reduction rear axle with a ‘longer’ 2:47:1 ratio, which reduces engine speed by seven per cent at a given road speed to suit the torque characteristics of the latest engines.
Michelin ‘Triple A’ rated fuel economy tyres are fitted as standard to all wheel positions: these are claimed to yield an average fuel saving of 1.5 per cent over their first life.
The new electrical and electronic systems use multiplex (MUX) wiring: all electrical and electronic components communicate through two wires using a common protocol.
Iveco has dubbed its multiplex architecture Hi-MUX: it’s a modular system designed for improved flexibility for different truck configurations and better serviceability with fewer physical components and easier assembly.
Cabs are carried over from the last revision of the Stralis – the Hi-Way (long-haul)/Hi-Road (regional distribution)/Hi-Street (delivery) – launched in 2012.
Software
Iveco is putting great store in the introduction of a GPS-based predictive driving system, dubbed Hi-Cruise. This compares geo-location with the road’s topography and adopts predictive strategies governing acceleration/deceleration and gear selection. Combined with the new rear axle and Michelin tyres, Iveco anticipates this producing a double-digit percentage improvement in fuel saving.
Operators are given further information regarding fuel saving via Iveco’s new TCO2 Live fleet management service, which comes standard on the XP model. This aims to reduce fuel consumption (CO2) and total operating costs (TCO).
The TCO2 Smart Report gives operators a weekly update on driving style and fuel consumption for each vehicle, and TCO2 Advising gives advice on further fuel-saving based on the real-world information harvested from the truck’s electronic systems.
Iveco claims that, combined, these services can yield fuel savings of up to three per cent. The New Stralis also incorporates a Driving Style Evaluation System which provides drivers with real-time suggestions for improving their driving techniques.
Uptime
Past models such as Eurotech and Eurostar cast a long shadow over Iveco’s reputation in the UK’s heavy truck market.
In truth, the introduction of the original Stralis model back in 2002 should have laid most of the worries about reliability and durability to rest as build standards and component quality were both much improved, but nagging doubts still linger – mostly among operators and drivers who don’t actually have recent direct experience of Iveco’s heavy truck products.
Iveco has tackled these issues head on, with major investments in production facilities (which are now centred in Spain rather than Italy) and impressive support for trucks on the road, including a free replacement vehicle or financial compensation for up to four days if a New Stralis is off the road for unscheduled work for more than 24 hours.
Service is being delivered through a network of Truck Stations situated along the major transport corridors of Europe.
It’s easy for manufacturers to make claims about increased reliability and durability, and reduced maintenance requirements, but sometimes these claims are not supported by commensurate reductions in service costs.
Iveco has essentially put its money with its mouth where these issues are concerned and promises that the cost of a standard R&M contract on the New Stralis will be five per cent less than on the current model over three years and eight per cent less over four years.
Gianalberto Lupi, head of Iveco’s heavy business line, said: “With the New Stralis, Iveco is prepared to guarantee to the customer a cost reduction for running the vehicle, thanks to the new range’s improved fuel efficiency, combined with our high level of parts availability, and our widespread maintenance network. TCO2 services are the perfect complement to our promise of reliable uptime with Iveco trucks.”
Engine room
Like its predecessor, New Stralis is available with three different engine displacements: 8.7 litres (Cursor 9), 11.1 litres (Cursor 11) and 12.9 litres (Cursor 13). There are nine power ratings, ranging from 310 to 570 hp.
Some engines feature increased power outputs: most notably, the 420 hp version of the Cursor 11 benefits from a torque boost of 100 Nm. Maximum power outputs of the Cursor 13 engines have been increased to 510 and 570 hp.
Further fuel saving may come from the provision of an anti-idling device which will shut down the engine after a preset interval if the truck is not being driven.
Gas truck
With a maximum range of up to 1,500 km, the gas-powered version of New Stralis, dubbed New Stralis NP (Natural Power) can run on either compressed or liquefied gas, or a mixture of the two.
It uses a gas-specific stoichiometric spark-ignition Cursor 9 engine that conforms to Euro 6 using only a simple automotive-style three-way catalyst, and has an output of 400 hp and 1,700 Nm of torque: comparable to that of an equivalent diesel engine, and with 17 per cent more power and six per cent more torque than its nearest competitor.
The engine has re-profiled inlet ports and higher-pressure gas injection.
New Stralis NP is also the first gas-specific truck to use an automated gearbox. The different torque characteristics of gas engines have hitherto demanded the fitment of either a conventional manual gearbox or a fully-automatic Allison-type transmission.
The reduced engine braking caused by the lower compression ratios of spark-ignition engines necessitate the provision of a powerful secondary brake: the New Stralis NP features ZF’s hydraulic Intarder integrated into its transmission.
Other features include a ‘hill-hold’ starting aid and Adaptive Cruise Control.
As befits its long-haul role, the New Stralis NP has the range-topping Hi-Way cab as standard.
It is supported by Iveco’s Uptime Guarantee to get back on the road within 24 hours of a breakdown and Iveco’s Fuel Consultancy Service.
French operator Perrenot Group (formerly UNIC) has already placed a launch order for 200 Stralis NPs to join its 3500-truck fleet.
Tyres
Iveco is fitting Michelin new X Line Energy tyres to all wheel positions on the New Stralis. Compared to the current X Line Energy tyre, the new fitments will save up to one litre of fuel for every 100km driven. Michelin management services for the new tyres will be incorporated into the Iveco TCO2 vehicle management packages
Availability
Iveco is opening the UK order book for New Stralis in July, with the first RHD deliveries to the UK in Q4 of 2016. UK pricing information was not available as Transport Operator‘s July edition went to press.
