Introducing the S-Way
We’ve waited a while for the new S-Way. It was launched internationally back in July 2019. The successor to the popular Iveco Stralis, it hails from Italy.
The truck in a nutshell
The new S-Way boasts a number of improvements over the Stralis, most significantly a new cab design and better aerodynamics that improve fuel efficiency by up to 4% compared with the previous model. Given the high price of diesel, that can only be good news for local transport operators.
Exterior
As we’ve already noted, the S-Way’s exterior is its stand-out feature. It really is a very good-looking truck that constantly attracts attention on the road. The LED headlights are especially appealing; they are modern and different from those on any other truck (they don’t just look good, they provide outstanding visibility, which is a safety feature). The twilight sensor on the windscreen automatically turns on the low beam in low-light conditions while cornering and bending functions improve the driver’s visibility when turning.
The redesigned bumper also looks good but it is practical too; it is a multi-piece bumper so, in the event of an accident, you only need to replace the damaged section. There’s a handy folding step on the front of the cab and we’re also super impressed with the cab’s 12% coefficient improvement (as already mentioned, improved aerodynamics mean considerably lower fuel consumption).
Interior
While the exterior is a massive improvement over the Stralis (actually, you cannot really compare the two trucks), the interior is better – but the improvements aren’t quite as dramatic. For instance, the dashboard is quite similar to that in the Stralis – meaning it’s not quite as modern in appearance as some of the German and Swedish trucks.
Having said that, the cab is still a very good place to be; there is a lot of storage space and it’s very comfortable. The driver’s seat is supportive and easy to adjust to the perfect seating position – and all-round visibility is very good. On this note, the S-Way still has actual mirrors; it doesn’t have the cameras that we’ve come to know and love on the Actros.
The build quality of the vehicle is absolutely superb; we’d say it’s much better than that of the Stralis. There are absolutely no rattles and squeaks; it’s a real class act in this regard.
We particularly like the full LED interior lighting, bigger roof hatch and multi-function steering wheel (all the most important functions are at your fingertips). There’s a slot for the electronic key and the engine is switched on at the press of a button. The bunks are very comfortable (there are two of them) and there are handy wall pockets that provide useful storage space. (I would almost certainly pop my mobile phone in one at night.) We also like the USB plugs in the cab; those are really handy for charging the aforementioned phone or iPad. There’s a night-time safety lock, which is super important in South Africa. On this note, there is also a lockable fuel cap to reduce the risk of diesel theft.
Drivetrain
Iveco S-Way 470 is powered by the 12 880 cc Cursor 13 common rail high-pressure powerplant. It is a Euro 3 engine that delivers 349 kW of power at 1 900 r/min and maximum torque of 2 200 Nm at 1 100 r/min. It runs at 1 174 r/min at 75 km/h in top gear while the equivalent revs at 80 km/h are 1 252. More powerful engines are available overseas (a slightly more powerful engine is available here too). And yes, lots of truck drivers will say they want more power. But honestly, the powerplant fitted to our test unit performed more than adequately; we don’t think more power is necessarily needed – even in South Africa, with its undulating terrain.
The truck boasts a single Meritor drive axle with a ratio of 3.09:1. It has a standard 306 kW engine brake as well as a 500 W intarder. The S-Way has two fuel tanks: one that holds 540 litres and a second that holds 230 litres. Like most trucks in this category, it has air suspension.
The S-Way is also available with natural gas engines (Iveco is a leader in this regard in Europe). However, for various reasons (which require a separate article), we probably won’t get these until 2024.
Transmission
The 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated transmission with electronic clutch offers the most advanced technology in its category, a best-in-class torque-to-weight ratio and long transmission oil change intervals. It really is a fabulous transmission; you hardly even notice that you’re changing gears.
Safety
The new cab offers high levels of passive safety, with mechanical resistance compliant with ECE R29.03 cab crash standards. The new design also provides much improved direct visibility for the driver with the one-piece side windows and rear-view mirrors. In addition, the S-Way features a complete array of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to help the driver operate the vehicle efficiently and safely. Then there are those LED lights that we’ve already mentioned. They have a much sharper beam that carries further, improving visibility and obstacle perception by 15%, further enhancing safety in low-light conditions.
Verdict
The S-Way 470 that was put through its paces at Truck Test 2022 had a list price of R2 281 950, which is slightly cheaper than some other comparative truck tractors available in South Africa. However, we all know that the list price is just a vague guideline; different transport operators qualify for different discounts. Having said this, Iveco is known for offering competitive pricing. Plus, Iveco is known for building trucks with a low unladen weight – which has obvious payload advantages. Equally importantly, Iveco is promising a much better total cost of ownership (TCO) for this new truck. If that materialises (and we have no reason to believe that it won’t), the S-Way will be a very good buy indeed.
