The new Powerstar 7800 blends power, comfort and heavy haulage capabilities according to Iveco Trucks. It has been specifically developed in Australia to withstand the country’s harsh climatic extremes and road conditions.
Iveco Trucks Australia product planning manager Marco Quaranta says the Powerstar 7800 is simply in a league of its own.
“Our product engineers have worked incredibly hard to develop a unique product that blends an American driveline and European comfort into an Australian made truck,” he says
Designed and built at the Iveco manufacturing base in Dandenong, Victoria, the Powerstar 7800 is the latest addition to the Powerstar range and flagship of the Iveco fleet. The 7800 is a heavy duty workhorse designed to haul the biggest loads, with a 140 tonne Gross Combination Mass (GCM).
With customer requirements in mind, the 7800 delivers on all aspects of performance from drive-ability and comfort to fuel economy, while devoting particular attention to style and personality.
Robertson’s Transport managing director Greg Robertson was the first person to take delivery of the new Powerstar 7800.
“We received the 7800 from Iveco in October 2012 to evaluate in our fleet of 18 road-trains. It has travelled around 250,000km since then on all types of roads and back tracks throughout Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland pulling B-doubles and two or three trailer road-trains grossing up to 130 tonnes,” says Robertson.
“I think Iveco has developed a prime mover that is world-class.”
Powered by the 15-litre, 600 hp engine, the Powerstar 7800 delivers 2,050 lb/ft of torque through its Eaton 18-speed Roadranger transmission. The operating temperature of the engine is controlled by a class-leading 12452cm2 (1930in2) radiator/cooling package. The engine also uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to comply with emissions regulations. Fuel for the massive engine is supplied from the four standard 450-litre capacity, round aluminium fuel tanks: enough for even the longest of hauls.
The engine and power-train are mounted on a steel c-wrap chassis designed and built in the Iveco manufacturing facility in Dandenong, Victoria. The Powerstar 7800 cab gives increased visibility along with high levels of comfort and ergonomics, lessening the impact on the driver’s body. The sleeper cab is spacious, with plenty of locker space, and an inner spring mattress guaranteeing comfort on even the toughest jobs. Custom options include an in-cab fridge, flat-screen TV with DVD player and an ISRI ‘Big Boy’ air suspended seat and “reach and tilt” steering column.
