Iveco Massif

[The Swiss]

An other brand new, supercool 4x4 workhorse that will most likely never make it to the US. Design-wise it looks like the Spanish Santana (which actually Land Rover Defender license), but it is marketed by the Italian truck manufacturer Iveco. Santana used to use Iveco engines, so I am not exactely sure who got who and what happened. All I know is that it is marketed as new 4x4 workhorse in Europe. Enjoy :)
http://www.massif.iveco.com/

[haven]

Nice find!

Here's the story, according to Edmunds Inside Line.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/massif-5.jpg

Some years ago, a Spanish truck manufacturer called Santana licensed the rights to build the Defender from Land Rover. Later, building on the experience gained manufacturing the Defender, Santana developed an off-road model of its own called the Massif. Santana became an Iveco partner in 2006, and the updated Massif was born.

Power for the Massif will be provided by a Fiat 3.0L 4 clyinder turbodiesel that produces 176 hp and 295 ft-lb. The transmission is a ZF six speed model.

Like the Defender and the Land Cruiser 78, the Massif will be available in short and long wheelbase models, 3 and 5 door SUVs, a pickup and a cab/chassis. Here's the pickup version:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/massif-3.jpg

The Massif is one of three models in Iveco's off-road line. The others are the Daily 4x4 (a 4x4 van similar to the Mercedes Sprinter), and the Trakker (a heavy duty 6x6 and 4x4 truck similar to MAN's off-road trucks)

Edmunds says Iveco is thinking about entering the USA market!

Chip Haven

[The Swiss]

Thanks Chip for filling in the blanks. Would be great if Iveco would come with the Massif to the US!!

BTW, Santana also built the Suzuki Samurai under license; my Sami I had in Switzerland was built by Santana.

[PeterM]

Santana was onwned by Suzuki for some years and produced Samurais to save custom duties. They still manufacture the diesel Jimnys.

A remark to the Daily 4x4: This is the former SCAM with a Daliy cabin, with different frame and live axles it's not comparable to a 4x4 Sprinter, but a real truck.

Regards,
Peter