The release of the new IVECO Daily E6 Van and Cab Chassis range has significantly elevated the model’s standard safety equipment, providing features that most other manufacturers only offer as options if at all.
Building on the previous generation model’s safety features list which included four SRS airbags, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the availability of Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), the latest range offers significantly more, particularly in the area of active safety.
Now standard across the entire range is an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), enhanced ‘ESP9’ technologies (see Program Overview) and Crosswind Assist.
Additional safety equipment such as City Brake, Queue Assist, Hill Descent Control and Traction Plus are also available as part of the ‘Hi-Technology’ option pack.
Crosswind Assist uses the ESP system to help stabilise the vehicle if it is hit by a sudden gust of wind. The technology is particularly helpful for models with large lateral surface areas such as the larger vans and cab chassis’ that are fitted with Pantech or motorhome bodies.
City Brake is ideal for use at low speeds in start and stop traffic. This technology pre-fills the braking system for faster response if it detects an imminent collision. It also provides visual and acoustic warnings to the driver, and if no action is taken, will apply the brakes autonomously to help reduce the likelihood of a collision.
Queue Assist works in similar conditions and allows the Daily E6 to automatically accelerate and brake to a complete stop in bumper to bumper traffic, reducing the risk of rear-ending the vehicle in front of it. Queue Assist is only available on models specified with the automatic transmission.
Hill Descent Control, which is actuated via a dash-mounted button, is like a cruise control function for low-speed down-hill driving, providing a more controlled descent particularly in wet and slippery conditions.
Traction Plus, which is also engaged at the touch of a button, operates at up to 30 km/h and helps maintain traction on slippery surfaces by automatically applying the brakes to the drive wheel that’s losing grip and transferring power to the wheel with the most traction. For applications where the vehicle may need to access parks or reserves with wet grass, or muddy construction sites, Traction Plus provides additional control and peace of mind.
Other new safety features include optional full LED headlamps, which improve lighting performance by up to 12 per cent over non-LED headlamps while also increasing the driver’s light perception by up to 15 per cent. A further benefit of the LED headlamps is the colour of the light output which more closely resembles natural daylight which, in turn, helps reduce eye fatigue.
‘ESP9’ Program Overview
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System): Avoids wheel locking during heavy braking.
EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution): Shares the brake force between front and rear axles.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program): Brakes each wheel and controls the engine by reducing the number of revolutions if the vehicle becomes unstable.
ASR (Anti-Slip Regulator): Acts on the engine and the brakes preventing the drive wheels from skidding.
EUC (Enhanced Under-Steering Control): This function reduces understeering of the vehicle, reducing the average radius of curvature.
DTC (Drag Torque Control): This system prevents dragging of the driving wheels caused by the engine brake; it provides stability on releasing the throttle and helps maintain trajectory on bends.
HHC (Hill Hold Control): Acts on the braking pressure to hold the vehicle during uphill launches.
ALC (Adaptive Load Control): Recognises the longitudinal load distribution.
TSM (Trailer Sway Mitigation): Detects the presence of a trailer and adapts the ESP in order not to negatively influence the dynamics of the vehicle trailer system.
HRB (Hydraulic Rear-wheel Boost): In case of emergency braking, it boosts the rear brake force to help reduce vehicle stopping distance.
HFC (Hydraulic Fading Compensation): Detects the fading conditions of the brakes, increasing the brake circuit pressure up to ABS intervention level.
RMI (Roll Movement Intervention): Mitigates dangerous roll-over situations during dynamic driving such as evasive manoeuvres, U-turns and similar.
ROM (Roll Over Mitigation): Extension of RMI by mitigating the chance of rollover at quasi-stationary manoeuvres such as motorway exits.
IN-CABIN TECHNOLOGY
The new Daily E6’s heavily revised interior now contains additional cabin appointments to make the operator’s time on the road even more comfortable and convenient.
The latest release sees the introduction of an optional new ‘Hi-Connect’ touchscreen multimedia and navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus GPS by Tom Tom, Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera (van models only, if the option is selected).
There’s also a new, high-resolution colour TFT instrument cluster that’s easier to read in all light conditions, and features seven dedicated screen menus providing over 100 points of information. Many of the system’s functions can be accessed through a smart menu function which is accessed via controls mounted on the newly-designed, soft-touch steering wheel.
The TFT cluster features dedicated function screens for the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (if the TPMS option is selected as part of the ‘Hi-Comfort’ pack), fuel economy, drive assist quick settings, drive assist view, navigation view, trip data and phone / multimedia.
For added practicality and convenience, Daily E6 adopts a dash-mounted, electronic parking brake, providing extra space and easier movement around the cabin, especially if the driver needs to exit via the passenger side on a busy road. The new park brake also engages automatically at key-off and disengages once the driver’s seat belt is on, the key is on and ‘drive’ selected (neutral for manual models), providing more efficiency in every drive. It’s estimated that the automatic electronic park brake can save up to five hours of working time each month in metropolitan courier applications.
Also aiding convenience is the optional cordless inductive charging for mobile phones and other devices.