Iveco brings RHD Daily 4x4 ‘Tigrotto’ to UK market

At last year’s edition of the biennial IAA show in Hannover, Iveco unveiled their Daily 4x4 ‘Tigrotto’ for Europe. Reviving a model name from Iveco’s past, the Tigrotto has proven to be such a hit that a right-hand drive version is now being produced, but only for the UK market for the moment.

Based on the same Iveco Daily 4x4 single cab that’s available in Australia, the Tigrotto (Italian for ‘tiger cub’) pays homage to an Iveco light truck of the same name that was introduced in 1957. Designed for heavy-duty work, the original Tigrotto was produced for 15 years and spawned numerous variants.

The new Tigrotto is hard to miss with its green paint on the dropside tray and lower half of the cabin. This, along with the red tow hooks, side steps, model-specific wheels and other underbody elements, references the finish of the original Tigrotto.

Keeping the retro inspiration going, the ‘Tigrotto’ name is added in C1950s script to the grille, cabin and the tray sides. Additional changes over a standard Daily 4x4 include a sports bar, nudge bar, spotlights and sunvisor.

Inside, there’s a “vintage-inspired” dashboard in green over white, separated by a gold coachline, like the exterior. The seats are trimmed in brown leather with white accents, with the retro Tigrotto badge embroidered into the uprights and also added to the passenger-side dash. The modern Tigrotto also gets model-exclusive floor mats.

“We are excited to bring this distinctive vehicle to the right-hand drive market after its enthusiastic reception at the IAA,” said Iveco UK Light Business-line Director, Mike Cutts said. “In addition to looking the part, the Tigrotto retains the impressive all-terrain dynamics of the Iveco Daily 4x4.”

Cosmetic differences and extra bolt-on parts aside, the Daily 4x4 Tigrotto is unchanged from the regular Daily. That means a 3.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 132kW at 3500rpm and 430Nm at 1500rpm, while also being Euro 6 compliant. Available in both on-road and off-road versions, the Tigrotto shown is fitted as standard with the ‘Hi-Matic’ eight-speed automatic transmission that’s optional (to a six-speed manual) on Australian-market versions of the Daily 4x4.

In four-wheel drive form, the Daily features low range and locking front, centre and rear diffs. The ‘C-Section’ body-on-chassis configuration incorporates a suspension lift for increased approach and departure angles (up to 35 and 33 degrees, depending on chassis/wheelbase/body configuration), while an advanced Electronic Stability Programme helps prevent wheel slip. The increased ride height also translates to ground clearance of 263mm and a wading depth of 640mm.

Payload for the Daily 4x4 available locally starts at 3635kg and rises to 4032kg, depending on cab configuration and wheelbase, but the Tigrotto has a claimed maximum payload of 4165kg.

The Daily 4x4’s separate chassis design means a variety of bodies can be fitted, with Iveco UK pitching it as a base for off-road motorhomes, in addition to conventional commercial applications.

While Iveco will release a new Daily 4x4 here in Q2, 2023, whether the RHD Tigrotto will come with it is unconfirmed at time of writing.