As you can see from the exterior pictures this is not a new Daily as such but a mid-life refresh. It’s also refreshing that Iveco terms it the 2024 model year, where most manufacturers announce the ‘new model year’ somewhere around the previous Easter. The exterior may be familiar but this version ushers in a new fascia, with much bigger and sharper displays and a whole host of additional safety kit, driver aids and advanced connectivity. We drove the diesel versions, the upgrades are identical on the eDaily (there’s also a CNG version) but none had landed on UK shores in time for the launch event.
Performance and drive
Combustion power remains as before with 2.3- or 3.0-litre diesels developing 156–176bhp respectively, the latter with 430Nm of torque on hand. That’s intended more for higher weight applications so we restricted ourselves to a brief drive in the 3.0-litre 7.2-tonner (why wouldn’t you?) and kept to the smaller engine for the most part which is the most popular at 3.5 tonnes. All versions were equipped with the eight-speed (ZF) Hi-Matic auto ‘box which made a good case for itself around Millbrook Proving Ground’s tortuous Alpine Course (you’ve seen it on the current series of Fifth Gear) with not only a desire to utilise the muscular torque by upshifting keenly in Eco mode, but also recognising descents well and dropping a gear to maximise engine braking. There was rarely any need to flick into manual shift – although all the vehicles were unladen.
On that front, the ride is excellent – even dialling-out the comfort of the suspended ‘truck’ seat from the equation – and the improved rising-rate rear leaf springs are said to offer the same progression as dual-spring set ups used elsewhere. This was born-out driving the unladen 7.2 tonnes high volume box body with ride comfort to rival any 3.5 tonner, with only the suspended driver’s seat to help.
Loading and interior
The Daily’s fundamental design, that of having a separate ladder chassis like a truck, has always been a mixed blessing. At 3.5 tonnes, it robs payload compared to unibody designs – every other vehicle at that weight, essentially – but lends itself well to higher weights and special applications such as the 4X4 model (yet to emerge in eDaily form) or for fitting of loader cranes or cherry pickers. Here, the eDaily deserves a mention since the ladder chassis is actually a boon. It offers an ideal framework in which to mount the batteries, giving plenty of protection and allows battery packs to be fitted in single or multiple layouts giving flexibility in cost and range requirements. Truly, old meets new. Like the diesel-engined Dailys, most of which can tow 3.5 tonnes (even the 7.0-tonner has a GTM of 10,500 Kgs), the eDaily is the only electric LCV which can tow 3,500 kgs across its model range – it also holds the Guinness World Record for an electric LCV towing, at just over 150 tonnes!
It’s the new fascia that is the highlight of the cab, however. A new configurable 10.25in instrument cluster – with three pre-determined layouts – is joined by a 10in centre screen for all the infotainment functions. This incorporates TomTom Live navigation and also has smart phone mirroring function, there’s dual USB ports and wireless charging pad too, whilst ‘Iveco Driver Pal’ (yes, it’s actually called that) offers voice commands. The excellent reversing camera image appears here too with steering lines super-imposed. The main function of the centre screen, however, is to be the interface for the new level of connectivity the Daily enjoys. Using the Easy Daily App or office-based Iveco On portal, both driver and fleet manager can configure the vehicle and HQ can also change and lock functions on the van such as Eco mode and lane keeping assist – for which some hard-bitten fleet drivers will be overjoyed!
Of more interest to owner-drivers will be the ‘proximity’ locking and unlocking – more usually seen on luxury cars – making securing the van a totally hands-free operation and a first for Iveco in the sector. Fleet vans with multiple drivers can have individual settings made in the app, to configure the van for each driver.
A raft of driver assistance and safety systems, some of which pre-date the legislation have been rolled-out on the 2024 model year too. There’s traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam function, emergency braking, blindspot assist and rear cross traffic warnings with automatic braking if a vehicle is close, should you be forced to reverse out of a delivery. The main physical addition to the range is the huge 5.1m wheelbase variant, which in eDaily guise allows the multiple batteries layout to increase to four in total. With eDaily models already offering one, two or three battery packs, Iveco workshops can now also add additional batteries at two-hours labour – wheelbase permitting.
In the UK and at 3.5 tonnes, the Daily has always lived in the shadow of the Ford Transit. In Europe it’s a different story, only mighty Mercedes-Benz heads the Iveco across its numerous weight categories and the eDaily has stolen a march on many of its rivals. The Sofim-era diesel is not in the first flush of youth, but will no doubt see the combustion-engined Daily out now, as electric moves in, offering the alternative of bio-CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) in the interim. These latest upgrades bring future-proofing to a thoroughly traditional design, whilst its ‘from truck downwards’, rather than ‘from car upwards’ design philosophy, even at 3.5 tonnes, continues to serve it well for operators who value toughness and adaptability.
| Model | Iveco Daily 35 S 16A8V |
| Price (ex VAT) | £32,195 |
| Price range (ex VAT) | £32,195- £42,195 |
| Warranty | 2yrs/unlimited mls |
| Service intervals | 2yrs/25,000 mls |
| Load length | 3,132mm |
| Load width (min/max) | 1,317mm /1,535mm |
| Load bay height | 1,900mm |
| Gross payload | 972kg |
| Load volume | 12.9m3 |
| Engine size/power | 2,287cc/156bhp |
| Combined fuel economy | 36.3mpg |
| CO2 | 204g/km |
| On sale | September 2024 |
| Key rival | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter |
| Verdict | Available in myriad sizes, a great van just got a little better. |
| Score | 9/10 |
