IVECO EUROTECH
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ith 220kW f300hp) on tap the EuroTech promised to give the laziest drive and it delivered too. Like the Daf engine the Italian job has good low-down pulling power and was always well on top of the job at 30 tonnes. The engine is not only well-matched to the ZF 16-speed box, but also to the rev counter (not always the case on test trucks).
Splitting at 1,600rpm puts the revs firmly at the bottom of the broad green economy band which stretches from 1, 200-1, 90Orpm, It all adds up to a flexible, unhurried drive.
The Iveco clriveline was not without its idiosyncrasies; for some reason the splitter on the EuroTech's Ecosplit box refused to be hurried and a quick dip left us with neutral and not much else. As a result each split had to be slow and with the foot right down to the floorboards. A low-split indicator light wouldn't go amiss either. The Iveco diesel also produced a fair amount of black smoke when starting up. Steering was light, but not too light, and the 3.8m-wheelbase sprung tractor gave a comfortable ride not far off the standard of the drawbars. Body roll was well controlled.
The EuroTech's dash is less fussy than the Daf with a much better quality feel than the old TurboTec.
Instrumentation is clear but we didn't like the control column stalks which are too close together.
The heater controls are also out of comfortable reach from the driving seat although there's no doubting the effectiveness of the heating system which did not allow the screen to mist up, even in tonential rain.
The pedals are particularly well positioned with just the right geometry for comfortable use. We also liked the driving seat, The deep door windows help brighten up a rather sombre interior and there's plenty of storage space for the driver spending time away from home.