Iveco is to launch the third generation of its 3.5-tonne Daily light commercial vehicle in panel van and chassis cab bodystyles in June 2014.
The manufacturer will build the new vehicle at its recently revamped plants in Suzzara, Italy and Valladolid, Spain. It said the model would retain the ladder frame chassis structure of the current range, which it claimed boosts strength, flexibility and durability but added that handling and load carrying capacity had been improved for the van version in particular.
Iveco said load volumes for the new Daily panel van line-up would move up from 11.0m3 to 18.0m3 and on to a maximum 20.0m3, which it claimed would be best in class for volume. The brand claimed the van with the smallest load box would raise the bar in terms of cargo efficiency – an index that measures the relationship between the length of the load bay and the total vehicle length.
According to Iveco, a new design featuring elongated wheelbases and a shortened rear overhang will improve the new Daily’s drivability compared to the current model without compromising its maneuverability in tight spaces.
All models up to 3.5-tonnes are equipped with new front suspensions designed to improve comfort and load carrying capacity while a new rear suspension layout fitted to single wheel drive vehicles has decreased loading height by 55mm, Iveco said.
The brand has not revealed the engine line-up for the new Daily but claimed it would deliver a 5% improvement on fuel consumption compared to its predecessor. While not disclosing figures for the new van, the start/stop version of the current Daily, which went on sale in April 2013, has official combined fuel economy of 35.0mpg and CO2 emissions of 210g/km when powered by the 2.3-litre 126hp engine. The manufacturer will release prices and specification details for the new Daily range closer to launch.