The new Iveco Daily will be launched to the press in June 2014

Just three short years ago, Iveco launched the current version of its Daily large van. That’s about to be consigned to van history, as the company prepares the third-generation Daily for its press launch in June this year.

Iveco says that the latest Daily is ‘entirely new’, but will retain the existing van’s classic ladder frame chassis structure, which has always helped to make it one of the most robust, flexible and truck-like vans in its class.

The new model will be made in both panel van and chassis cab formats, and Iveco says that the van model has benefited from improved use of space that has optimised load volumes and improved the accessibility of the cargo bed, by lowering the load deck by 55mm for single-wheel models.

The van’s capacity has been improved through the reassessment of the relationship between wheelbase, overall length, and the length of the cargo bed. This gives way to the | (best in class for volume) and the 11 m3 model (best in class for cargo efficiency – an index that measures the relationship between the length of the loading compartment with the total length of the vehicle).

One distinctive characteristic of the rear-wheel drive Daily has always been its extended rear overhang, but this looks likely to have been moderated, as Iveco says the new models have longer wheelbases and a shorter rear overhang, to improve the compromise between driveability and manoeuvrability.

Fuel consumption has also been a target, and the new model is said to deliver a 5% saving compared to previous models, combined with an improvement in the total cost of ownership (TCO). Inside, driver comfort has been addressed with improved soundproofing, better air conditioning and a more car-like driving position and feel.

The new Daily will go up against Ford’s all-new two-tonne Transit, which promises to be formidable competition for both the Daily and the Sprinter. It will be interesting to see if either Transit or Daily can dent the dominance of the Sprinter in the heavy-duty large van market.

The van’s capacity has been improved through the reassessment of the relationship between wheelbase, overall length, and the length of the cargo bed. This gives way to the new 18 and 20 m3 models (best in class for volume) and the 11 m3 model (best in class for cargo efficiency – an index that measures the relationship between the length of the loading compartment with the total length of the vehicle).