4x4s compete for RAF
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• Iveco Ford and Land Rover are competing for a new Ministry of Defence contract to supply 214, 1.5-tonne-payload vehicles to tow the Rapier missile system for the RAF.
Iveco Ford has submitted the military version of the Iveco Turbo Daily van that was launched in 4 x 4 form to European buyers in October 1987 (CM 29 October-4 November 1987). Land Rover has extended the wheelbase of its 2,794mm-wheelbase military Land Rover. Both contenders are on trials with the army at its testing grounds in the South and an announcement is expected by the end of May.
The Iveco Ford Daily uses the 2.5-litre version of the Sofim turbo-diesel engine, also used in Fiat Ducato vans. It has a reputation for combining good levels of power (67.6kW/ 97hp) with reasonable fuel economy. Land Rover has fitted some of the trial vehicles with its vee-eight 3.5-litre 100kW (134hp) petrol engine, although it is believed that the NATO standard is for diesel engines to be fitted to all the vehicles. This will leave Land Rover with its naturallyaspirated 2.5-litre diesel engine. The MoD has already had problems with some 2,500 Land Rovers fitted with this unit and has been looking around for a replacement unit to fit into its Land Rovers.