IVECO S-Way CNG travels over 1000 km on one fill

Diesel engines remain the preferred option for long-haul lorries, but IVECO aims to demonstrate that viable, and above all more sustainable, alternatives are available.

IVECO S-Way CNG exceeds 1000 km on one fill

Evidence comes from the IVECO S-Way CNG, a lorry powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which travelled more than 1000 km on a single refuelling stop.

French journalists Fabien Calvet and Loïc Fieux carried out the test, driving between the Belgian and Spanish borders under demanding, real-world operating conditions.

The achievement is even more significant because the vehicle was towing a loaded Krone semi-trailer, bringing the gross weight to approximately 30 tonnes.

Better than a Diesel?

According to IVECO, the S-Way CNG delivers “performance similar to that of a Diesel (lorry)”. During the trial, the lorry achieved an average consumption figure below 21 kg/100 km over the journey of more than one thousand kilometres.

The Italian company maintains that these lorries provide “performance similar to a Diesel”. Test results indicate average consumption of less than 21 kg/100 km across the more than one thousand kilometres covered.

xCursor 13 engine and CNG tank capacity

The vehicle tested was fitted with FPT Industrial’s xCursor 13 engine, producing 500 hp and 2,200 Nm of torque. This latest-generation gas engine has been developed to meet future Euro VII standards and provides optimum performance between 1,000 and 1,500 rpm.

This CNG version of the IVECO S-Way uses the xCursor 13 engine manufactured by FPT Industrial, the former FIAT Group division acquired by IVECO. It is a 12.9-litre inline six-cylinder unit which, in this specification, produces 500 hp and 2200 Nm of torque; IVECO says it delivers “optimum performance” between 1000 rpm and 1500 rpm.

It already complies with Euro VII and is equipped with two CNG tanks, each with a capacity of 620 litres. Together, they hold 1240 litres - equivalent to at least 190 kg - representing an 18% increase over the previous generation and a 72% improvement compared with the first Compressed Natural Gas models, launched in 2011.

Improved efficiency

The IVECO S-Way CNG also features several energy-management systems designed to cut consumption. These include a controlled alternator, a disengageable air compressor and a variable-flow pump, all of which reduce energy waste.

It also has a predictive GPS system, or Predictive Cruise Control, which anticipates adjustments to engine speed and recovers kinetic energy on descents, helping to optimise performance on long-distance routes.

“With more than 1000 km covered on a single refuelling stop, the IVECO S-Way CNG sets a new benchmark for range, efficiency and comfort,” said Giandomenico Fioretti, IVECO’s Head of Alternative Propulsion Business Development, adding that natural gas remains, in the brand’s view, “a genuine alternative to Diesel for long-distance transport”.