IVECO FORD EuroTech
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With the EuroTech Iveco has attempted to address all the criticisms of poor interior finish and cab comfort levelled at the old TurboTech tractor. Apart from a few small niggles, they've succeeded.
The twin-bunk medium-roof EuroTech (which is standard on all MP chassis with the 13.8-litre engine) is a practical and comfort. able workplace for the long.dis. tance driver. There's a fair amount of storage space but, considering that it may have to cater for two drivers, it could do with more and it's hard to see where Iveco can get it from.
The front headlining has a deep shelf with sensible nets and dividers that should keep things from rattling around too much, The shelf extends right around the seam where the roof meets the cab so the driver using the top bunk has a handy place to leave odds and ends when turning in for the night.
There's also limited locker space in the head lining and dashboard on the passenger side; the glovebox lid is designed to be used as a table or cup/can holder. To get to the fuses you simply remove the protective cover, which has a neat shaving mirror attached to it.
The centre console has another locker box—its lid doubles up as a step into the top bunk—with an open tray for oddments; there are also pockets in the doors and various little cubby holes in the dash.
Unfortunately as the bottom bunk sits low on the floor there's little room for stowage underneath: the space behind the driver is taken up by the night heater and, on the passenger side, the outside locker. You can, however, pile kit on the top bunk and netting keeps it in place under heavy braking.
Standing height on the passenger side is pretty good, even if the deep headlining nudges you back towards the bunk. We managed the standard CM
"trousers-off" manoeuvre without having to bend double. There's plenty of lighting for reading; the bottom bunk has its own map light on a flexible lead. After fiddling with some loose contacts we got it working without any further trouble. Iveco should fit a single master switch to turn on all the lights from the bunk; while they're at it the heater controls fin the headlining) could be in the same place too, along with a radio switch.
The heavy-duty curtains are likely to go the distance, but we were less impressed by the need to stow them behind the top bunk frame rail, This is an awkward job; presumably it's a lot easier if the top bunk isn't in place,.
The night heater outlet needs to be relocated; it's squeezed up tight behind the driver's seat, which stops the heat getting through. The nozzle rotates but this doesn't solve the problem: to let the hot air out you've got to tilt the driver's seat forward.