Learning the S-Way - a day with IVECO

ROADSTER! has an M4 adventure with IVECO’s S-WAY truck!

ROADSTER! isn’t JUST about cars… we love trucks as well! A Truck Stop on the M4 may not sound like a very exciting place, but for Roadster! it was the setting for a thrilling trucking adventure, as editor Sam and comic artist Richie were invited by IVECO to sample their S-Way truck!

Imagine you want a new toy. How does it reach you?

“Globalisation” is where goods are manufactured in different countries and shipped all around the world. That toy you want may have been made in a factory overseas. To get to you, it has to travel a long way!

Big ships carry lots of things across oceans. When the ship arrives, trucks take the things off the ship and bring them to special places called distribution centers. At the distribution center, the things are sorted and put into big boxes, then big trucks take the boxes to shops and stores near your home. You might have seen them driving on the motorway? They have big trailers that can hold lots of stuff!

IVECO is an Italian manufacturing company specialising in commercial vehicles such as trucks. The S-Way is a heavy duty truck designed for long- haul missions. Its design includes enhanced aerodynamics, features intended to save fuel, and innovative steps forward to reduce CO2 emissions!

Roadster’s experience started by meeting IVECO’s team by the side of a lovely smelling cornish pasty stand at the Eastbound Reading Services. Roadster! was given an all important safety briefing and high visibility jackets to wear before being escorted to the waiting truck. “I can see it!” shouted Sam, as the party got nearer.

Long haul truck drivers have to drive for many hours, have to have regular rests to prevent them driving when tired, and often have lots of waiting around, as  cargo is loaded and unloaded, or they are stuck in traffic!

Because of this, it is extremely important that trucks are a driver’s home away from home. Everything needs to be close at hand to the driver when they are driving, and there needs to be a comfortable living space to relax in when taking those all important rest breaks.

Roadster! was shown how the IVECO S-WAY manages this, with a spacious and well laid out cab designed to improve a driver’s working and living experience. 

The boys got to see how the truck’s driving area has been created to make truck driving as comfortable as possible, They tried out the leather driver’s seat with air suspension which automatically adjusts to make the ride more comfortable. They also saw how the driving area has been designed to provide lots of space and excellent visibility, with handy steering wheel controls, air conditioning controls, and  handy storage for drinks and important paperwork.

Hi-Tech features include Apple CarPlay, which allows drivers to mirror their smart phones, and Amazon Alexa which allows drivers to interact with the truck, navigate, obtain traffic reports and communicate with other drivers simply by using their voice!

The boys were then given a tour of the S-Way’s  living quarters. Despite being extremely compact, the S-Way’s living space feels bright, airy and spacious, thanks to the skylight window and bright coloured walls. The bed was comfortable (we didn’t try the bunk!). Storage bins, charging points and controls for windows, lighting and air conditioning added to the home comforts. Curtains and blinds around windows shut out daylight and roadside lights. 

Driver’s also need food storage and preparation, and places to store bedding, clothes and personal effects. The S-Way cleverly utilises overhead lockers for storage and a microwave for cooking. A large fridge and freezer slide out from under the bed and can easily accessed by the driver when driving.

Armed with Walkie-Talkies, the boys then took it in turns to ride in the S-Way in a convoy down the M4! The boys thought it was an AMAZING experience.

All in all Roadster! thinks the S-Way is a great truck, which cleverly uses technology and space to create a compact but comfortable living and working area… We loved it!

(Abridged version of a feature in Roadster! Issue 2)