Fuel-saving challenge for RG Bassett & Sons’ first Ecostralis 04 May 2012

Stoke-on-Trent-based haulier RG Bassett & Sons has taken delivery of its first Iveco Ecostralis fuel-saving 6x2 mid-lift tractor units from Sherwood Truck & Van.

Having trialled a conventional Stralis for a month before, joint managing director Ashley Bassett says he hopes the truck's ability to limit engine power and torque according to gross vehicle weight will deliver valuable fuel savings.

"The demonstrator proved to be as good on fuel as any other tractor we operate: it was enough to make us want to put an Ecostralis through its paces on a longer-term basis," comments Bassett.

"With all of the new technology Iveco has incorporated into the Ecostralis, there's the prospect of achieving tangible fuel-savings over time," he continues.

"If that proves to be the case, then we may see more Iveco tractors joining our fleet in the future," he adds.

Bassett believes the key to its fleet unlocking fuel-savings lies in the new truck's Ecoswitch device, which uses the vehicle weight information from the ECAS/EBS system to limit engine torque in line with the gross vehicle weight.

"The nature of our work means we regularly carry relatively light weight cargo in one direction, and heavier goods on the return," explains Bassett.

"If the Ecoswitch can enable us to consume less fuel when hauling lighter goods then it will offer some real benefits to our operation," he says.

Also helping this Ecostralis is a re-mapped version of the FPT Cursor 10 engine, claimed to deliver reduced fuel consumption compared with regular Stralis models.

Its EEV-rated 10.3 litre engine is capable of producing up to 460bhp and a maximum torque of 2,100Nm between 1,050 and 1,550 rev/min.

As with all Ecostralis vehicles, this AS440S46TX/P comes with a EuroTronic transmission with higher gearing and, in this case, also an ECOfleet mode, which automatically adjusts to the loading of the tractor unit to help fine-tune fuel economy.

Author
BrianTinham

Related Companies
Iveco

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