The Iveco Stralis X-Way exemplifies the segmentation in the European tipper market. The new range from the Italian truck maker consists of three distinct models: ‘On Set-up’; ‘On+ Set-up’; and last-but-not-least ‘Off Set-up’. Of the trio, On and On+ are homologated for on-road operations while, as its name suggests, Off is the Italians’ off-road product.
Actually, there’s little difference between On and On+, apart from the fact that the latter has a better approach angle, higher ground clearance and improved bumper protection, spotlighting the fact that it can handle itself off-road if needs be. Off X-Way, meanwhile, is your archetypal mud-plugger with the best off-road gradeability, belly-clearance and approach angles for tackling off-road tracks and poor site roads.
But regardless of which X-Way you buy, they all have the same cab (borrowed from the Iveco Stralis) albeit suitably ‘tipperfied’ inside and out. Underneath it, there’s a choice of three engines ranging from the diminutive 8.9-litre Cursor 9 available up to 400hp, stretching to the most powerful 12.9-litre Cursor 13 with a maximum 570hp.
More importantly, with X-Way’s arrival, Iveco has finally plugged a previously noticeable gap in its tipper chassis drivetrain. Until now you could only get an Iveco eight-legger with either a Cursor 9 or 13, not good considering how many 8x4s are sold in Blighty with an 11-litre lump. The good news, however, is that X-Way can also now be specced with the 11.1-litre Cursor 11 rated at 420, 460 and 480hp.
All Cursor diesels feature Iveco’s HI-SCR emissions control system which meets Euro 6 without exhaust gas recirculation. Although to be strictly accurate a little bit (six per cent) of EGR is used on the 480hp Cursor 11 and 570hp Cursor 13 engines. Rather than playing any part in reducing emissions, however, Iveco says it’s a ‘fuel economy enabler’ that optimises combustion.
Cleaning up the exhaust is still handled by HI-SCR. Thus on X-Way there’s no impact on radiator size, no extra maintenance, no weight increase and most importantly no parked DPF regeneration. X-Way engines also have fuel-saving ‘smart auxiliaries’ including an air compressor, alternator and variable steering pump that either automatically disconnect or go into an energy-saving mode when they’re not working. Behind them sits ZF’s latest quick-shifting TraXon 12 or 16-speed two-pedal auto (called Hi-Tronix by Iveco) which feeds single or double-reduction axles, with disc brakes all-round.
Like other truck makers who fit an auto-box on their construction chassis as standard, X-Way comes with a ‘rocking’ mode on TraXon which allows rapid forward/reverse changes to help un-stick you in the mud. Meanwhile, should you prefer self-stirring, there’s the option of ZF’s venerable 16-speed Ecosplit manual.
X-Way also sports new front axles, new front and rear suspensions (either air or steel) and a choice of power take-offs. There’s even the option of hydro-statically-driven front-axles to give you extra traction off-road, but only when you need it.
To maximise the on-road profitability of mixer operators, Iveco has developed what it calls ‘Super Loader’, a special light-weight 8×4 day-cab chassis with a 400hp Cursor 9, single-leaf parabolic front springs and a two-spring single reduction back bogie, plus alloy wheels and air tanks. Add all these weight-saving measures up and you’ve got a right-hand-drive four-axle rigid that tips the scales at just over nine-tonne – perfect for an 8 m3 mixer running at the UK 32 tonne weight limit for four-axle rigids.