Daily Iveco 4x4 , 24 forward gears with creeper and 3 diff locks.

Iveco is an Italian brand that is not very popular on our Kenyan roads due to the fact that we source most of our cars from Japan. A few weeks ago Kiambu Governor Hon William Kabogo is said to have attended a prayers event held in Ruiru with an armored Iveco. The vehicle became the talk on social media but little did majority of Kenyans realize that this model is used by the military in Europe ie Belgium, Croitia, Czech Republic, Norway, Spain ,United Kingdom where it goes with the name Panther and Italian Army under the name VTLM Lince (Lynx)(Veicolo-Tattico-Leggero-Multiruolo).These vehicles have been used in war zone like Afghanistan and Lebanon where they protected threats including armour piercing bullets, shell splinters and mines Improvised Explosive Devices to the peace keepers. In Africa Tunisia Military use them too.

The Drive Train is incredibly solid, and everything is well protected. Both front and rear differentials incorporate permanent four-wheel drive with differential locks, with a centre transfer lock all as standard powered by a 3.0 litre 16 valve common rail, dual stage twin turbocharged inter-cooled diesel, producing 170hp/125Kw and 400Nm/295Lbft of torque. When all three locks are electronically operated from the dash, all wheels, (front, rear and on both sides), are locked to the same speed supplying impressive traction. The vehicle has a six speed gearbox and the transfer case offers two reduction gears (1:1 and 1:1.3). The net result is 24 forward gears and 4 reverse..The transfer case splits the power 32% to the front and 64% to the rear. ABS is standard but automatically disengages when any of the three diff locks are activated. Ordinary Iveco drive train are however available. A photography Company in Kenya has imported a photographers customized beast. It is not armoured like the Military one above but not disappointing either as it can take you anywhere and everywhere in this country. These automobiles are readily available in South Africa.

By Karuga wa Njuguna