(Watford, 17 April 2012): Lancashire-based CFT Services has acquired 8 new ultra fuel-efficient Iveco ECOSTRALIS 6×2 mid-lift tractor units – and has an additional six identical vehicles due for delivery in September 2012.
The company trialled an ECOSTRALIS demonstrator prior to placing the order; and during a fortnight under the spotlight it recorded a 0.5mpg fuel saving measured against the fleet average.
Chris Flynn, Managing Director of CFT Services, which operates from sites in Heywood and Wednesbury, explains: “With diesel prices hitting record levels, a 0.5mpg saving on fuel can make a big difference to our overall vehicle operating costs. Together with a competitive finance package from Iveco Capital, ECOSTRALIS made sound business sense.”
Flynn says the performance of the local dealer was also crucial to securing his business: “Guest Truck & Van in West Bromwich has gone out of its way to look after us. A good truck is nothing without excellent dealer back-up; to-date they have really impressed.”
The new ECOSTRALIS’ join a 70-strong fleet of commercial vehicles and are each fitted with a GPS vehicle tracking system for added efficiency and security. They will be used for long-haul national distribution, roaming the country and delivering primarily to supermarket regional distribution centres. Each vehicle will be manned by a single driver and is expected to clock-up more than 100,000 miles per year – with servicing undertaken via the Iveco dealer network.
Iveco’s fuel-saving ECOSTRALIS model stands out from regular Stralis Active Space Super3 heavy trucks thanks to a re-mapped version of the FPT Cursor 10 engine, which helps to reduce fuel consumption whilst maintaining performance. The EEV-rated 10.3 litre engine is capable of producing up to 460 hp and a maximum torque of 2,100 Nm between 1,050 and 1,550 rev/min.
The ECOSTRALIS also benefits from an extensive array of added features which includes a Blue&Me Fleet telematics system and an ECOSWITCH that uses the vehicle weight information from the ECAS / EBS systems to limit engine torque according to the gross vehicle weight – ensuring overall performance in line with that of a fully laden vehicle. This allows fuel consumption to be minimised during acceleration without affecting overall speed capability.
ECOSTRALIS models also feature a EuroTronic transmission with a unique ECOfleet mode which automatically adjusts to the loading of the unit to fine-tune fuel economy. Michelin X Energy SaverGreen low rolling resistance tyres, a higher gearing and an 85 km/h speed limiter contribute to the optimised fuel performance.
Together, the 14 ECOSTRALIS tractor units being delivered in 2012 join a further six Stralis Active Time tractors which went into service during December 2011 and January 2012. The Stralis ATs operate 24/7 and are used largely in support of the Pallet Track network.
Iveco
Iveco, a Fiat Industrial company, designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, city and intercity buses and coaches as well as special vehicles for applications such as fire fighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection.
Iveco employs almost 25,000 people and runs in 11 Countries in the world using excellent technologies. Besides Europe, the company operates in China, Russia, Australia and Latin America. Around 5,000 sales and service outlets in over 160 Countries guarantee technical support wherever in the world an Iveco vehicle is at work.
