USED BUYING GUIDE IVECO EUROCARGO Reliable and affordable: what's not to like.
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The plc' favourite At 18 tonnes, lveco's award-winning Eurocargo still enjoys a strong reputation based on reliability and affordability The original Cargo was actually a Ford, which was launched in 1981 as the successor to the popular D-series. After Iveco's joint venture with Ford, the Cargo morphed into the Eurocargo in 1991. It made an immediate impact, and by the following year it had snapped up the International Truck of the Year award. The Eurocargo was habitually among the UK's top three 18-tonners during the 1990s, but the last decade hasn't been so kind. Registrations of 18-tonne GVVV Eurocargos totalled 300 last year, equating to a 6% share and sixth place in the UK's 18-tonne sector.
Focusing attention on the examples most likely to be found in today's used market, we pick up the story in 2003. That was the year when the Iveco Ford Truck joint venture in the UK ended, with Iveco buying Ford's stake. It coincided with the introduction of a smart, new — and galvanised — cab for the Eurocargo, doing justice to the 5.9-litre, six-cylinder, common-rail Tector engine, already fitted since 2001 for Euro-3.
There were three nominal ratings of the Euro-3 Tector in 18-tonne Eurocargos: 210hp, 240hp and 280hp. The middle rating was the most popular, offering a true 236hp at 2,700rpm and 810Nm of torque. The standard gearbox in most Euro-3 and -4 Eurocargos is a six-speed overdrive-top Eaton; the less common option is Iveco's own nine-speed box with direct-drive top. This 2003 Eurocargo was also the first to feature disc brakes all round at 18-tonne GVVV.
Euro-4 arrived in October 2006, entailing the addition of SCR exhaust after-treatment behind the Tector engine. These Euro-4 18-tonners received a hike in power and torque, raising nominal ratings to 250hp/850Nm; 280hp/950Nm and 300hp/1,050Nm. Inside, the gear lever was shifted from the engine tunnel to the dash.
The first Euro-5 models arrived in October 2008, exactly one year before the legislative deadline. The three engine ratings remained the same as at Euro-4, but almost all 18-tonners are 180E25 models with a nominal 250hp. Most have steel rear suspension rather than the optional air.
The 5.9-litre, six-cylinder Tector engine in the 180E25 develops 248hp at 2,700rpm. Don't be put off by the rated speed; all but a couple of horsepower is available from 2,100rpm. The peak torque figure of 850Nm is modest, but spread across an unusually wide plateau of 1,250rpm to 2,100rpm, so engine flexibility is good — particularly important in an 18-tonner with only six ratios. Aside from the cleaner exhaust, the major change on Euro-5 models was the introduction of ZF's automated six-speed gearbox, AS-Tronic lite as standard, replacing the six-speed manual Eaton box. Customers who preferred manual shifting could choose between six-speed or nine-speed ZF boxes. Euro-5 models also benefit from a new dashboard and much-improved seats, upholstered in black with Maori-inspired swirls, a nod to Iveco's marketing tie-up with the All Blacks.
In late 2008 Iveco found its Tector engines could achieve the EEV (enhanced environmentally-friendly vehicle) standard, with particulate emissions one third lower than Euro-5, merely by tweaking engine calibration rather than adding an exhaust particulate filter. Eurocargos built from May 2009 automatically comply with this limit, and are distinguished by the letters EEV after their model designation on the door. • PRODUCT RECALLS BY VOSA Since January 2006, Vosa has issued 13 recalls on Eurocargo. Here are the most significant: • June 2006: Eurocargo 60E-190E (Euro-4); control relay may overheat. "It has been identified that if the incorrect type of cold start element is fitted, frequent use under extreme weather conditions may lead to overheating of the control relay."
• March 2013: Eurocargo, dash warning light may fail to illuminate. "Should a fault in the parking braking system occur, a degree of braking action could be applied by the system. This condition could potentially not be highlighted in the vehicle, as the specific warning light could not be activated." Laurie Dealer The voice of the u.d truck trade Dealer's view "Eurocargo may have lost the lead in the 18-tonne market to Daf but it remains a solid second. Tried and trusted, it provides operators with a reliable and affordable option. The driveline is robust and drivers are more than happy to spend a day in one. Its price reflects the amount of 18-tonners in the marketplace. Last year fewer than 5,000 were registered new, yet demand is significantly higher, forcing prices up on even the more average stock. It's a safe option, and there is continued improvement in the dealer network."
Acorn Truck Sales (2): Dartford, West Thurrock AM Phillip (5): Aberdeen, Broxburn (Edinburgh), Dingwall (Inverness), Forfar, Glenrothes Aquila Truck Centres (4): Bristol, Gloucester, Swindon, St Peter Port Bougourd Fold: Guernsey CEM Day: Swansea Glenside Commercials: Caerphilly Grays Trucks (4): Croydon, Guilford, Hayes, Reading Guest Truck &Van (9): Birmingham, Boston, Cambridge, Coventry, Leicester, Peterborough, West Bromwich, Wolverharnpton, Wymondharn Haynes Brothers (2): Ashford, Maidstone Hencly Van &Truck (4): Cosham, Exeter, Poole, Southampton Kerr & Smith: Glasgow LA Motte: St Saviour (Jersey) NI Trucks: Belfast North East Truck and Van (7): Bi I I i ng harn, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Carlisle, Hull, Immingharn, Lincoln, York Northern Commercials (2): Brighouse, Manchester Pitter Commercials: Southampton Sherwood Truck &Van (4): Alfreton, Nottingham, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent StormontTruck &Van (4): Brighton, Dunstable, Hildenborough, Northampton Walton SummitTruck Centre: Preston