Tadley, Hampshire, UK: Rogers Transport has of one of the UK’s first right-hand drive Iveco S-way tractors.
It will be used primarily on refrigerated supermarket trunking routes, occasionally branching into curtain-side and low-loader work alongside Rogers Trasport’s other six Stralis.
The 6×2 with steering mid-lift runs on full air suspension, which managing director, Simon Rogers says makes for “fantastic road-holding and comfort”. It also allows them to raise the ride-height all-round whenever they might need to venture off the beaten track.
Making an early impression is the ZF retarder. This is the first truck that Rogers has bought fitted with the auxiliary braking system, which was chosen to enhance smooth progress on hillier routes with heavy trailers and reduce drivers’ need to rely upon the service brakes, minimising wear on consumable parts.
The IVECO S-WAY majors on reducing Total Cost of Ownership and increasing productivity for the operator while boosting control, comfort and safety for the driver. Rogers’ drivers will benefit from the new Driver Assistant Pack which includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, digital axle load measurement and Driving Style Evaluation & Driving Attention Support.
By allowing the driver and base to monitor the air pressure of individual tyres, running efficiency can be maintained, reducing fuel costs and also forewarning of punctures or potential for blow-outs. This can also be linked with a trailer, providing it is fitted with tyre pressure sensors and associated control unit.
Digital axle load measurement gives the drivers a view over the spread of weight between axles and indicates whether a load sits within the legal limits or that adjustments are required. Driving Style Evaluation & Driving Attention Support work monitor speed, pedal and steering inputs to differentiate between voluntary and involuntary movements, improving driver safety with alerts and suggesting real-time adjustments to driving style to reduce fatigue and fuel consumption.
“It’s possible that we got a bit excited and carried away with the specification, but with it being a new model we wanted a fleet flagship and there are so many great new features such as the connectivity and ability to connect and operate certain functions with a smartphone. Our drivers all want it for the looks, but I thought I’d keep the keys for a little while. However we’re already so impressed with it, an order for a second has been placed”, Simon Rogers said.
