PrixCar updates fleet with IVECO S-Way
Car and truck transportation specialist, PrixCar Services, has updated their fleet of prime movers with IVECO’s S-Way. A process that started last April with the acquisition of a brand-new, flagship AS model with 550hp was followed by three more to the same spec in the latter part of 2023, with the latest deliveries completing the upgrade.
PrixCar National Fleet Manager, Goran Koviloski, said that, although the company had limited experience with IVECO, excellent reviews of the new S-Way, along with specifications that closely met their requirements, were strong reasons for considering and ultimately adopting the model.
“Reviews of the S-Way coming out of Europe were very positive,” Goran explained. “We also liked the fact that it was a new model with all the latest technologies and features – the specifications stacked up well, so we decided to begin introducing them to our fleet.
“As a company, we work with many of the truck manufacturers and have different brands within our existing fleet. We wanted to support IVECO, given we provide transport services to them.”
PrixCar’s first four S-Way AS 550 trucks went to Melbourne and Brisbane, with the remainder going to PrixCar depots around the country. The trucks will predominantly work on intra and interstate routes in multi-deck, single trailer configuration, delivering cars and trucks to new car dealerships and holding yards. A handful of the S-Ways will also operate in B-Double form.
Goran explained that PrixCar’s first new S-Ways had been placed with their more experienced professional drivers; operators who wouldn’t mince their words when providing feedback.
“These drivers have had long careers and driven a wide range of truck models and brands – so far there’s not been a negative word,” Goran said. “They say the trucks are very compatible with what we do; they also like the cabin ergonomics and the generous size of the cabin. From my perspective as a fleet manager, the fuel efficiency has also impressed.”
All of PrixCar’s S-Ways feature low-emission Euro6 (Step E) 13-litre engines that produce 550hp (410kW) and 2,500Nm of torque. These are matched to the market-leading 16-speed Hi-Tronix automated manual transmission; a direct drive unit that delivers fast gear changes and has the ability to more efficiently select the correct ratio for the road and load conditions at hand.
Built-in fuel-saving technologies include anti-idling and ECO-FLEET; a feature that maintains the transmission in automatic mode, allowing operation in the optimal gear and within a torque curve that returns the best fuel efficiency. Additionally, a GPS-predictive driving system known as ‘HICRUISE’ integrates cruise control and certain automated Hi-Tronix functions to manage speed control, gear selection and ‘Eco-roll’ - a feature that disengages the driveline to use vehicle inertia when facing a moderate slope, maintaining kinetic energy for longer in the most fuel-efficient way.
Goran said that having a good safety offering was another attractive quality of the S-Way.
“We’re obviously concerned about the safety of our drivers, other road users and the cargo that we’re transporting, so we liked the safety equipment that was available in the latest IVECOs,” he said.
Standard safety equipment in the new S-Way includes an Advanced Emergency Braking System, Brake Assistance System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Electronic Stability Program with ABS (disc brakes all round) and Anti-Slip Regulation, Hill Holder and Driver Style Evaluation plus Driver Attention Support (DSE + DAS).
While the standard specification of the S-Way is impressive, PrixCar is known in the industry for the high standard of its vehicle presentation. Their new acquisitions are no exception, with Goran referring to them as “well optioned trucks.”
Accessories on the new S-Way AS 550s in the PrixCar fleet include custom bull bars (jointly developed by IVECO, PrixCar and Whitlock Bull Bars) with integrated lights and ‘IVECO’ etching. In addition, stainless steel sun visors, fuel tanks and side skirts, wider super single front rims, air deflectors and full auxiliary lighting feature on each unit. The trucks are finished in PrixCar’s signature silver with black and blue highlights, making them difficult to miss on the road.
The S-Ways have been supplemented with other IVECO vehicles, including five Eurocargo ML180 rigids, which were purchased for the prestige vehicle relocation service that PrixCar offers.
