PowerTorque’s European Correspondent, Will Shiers, recently had the chance to drive an MX-11-powered DAF XF 450 FT 4×2 prime mover with 3-axle tanker trailer in Malaga, in the south of Spain, to get the inside story on the new DAF.
Finished in the Tuscan Yellow launch colour, the truck’s exterior really does look spectacular. The new XF shares no obvious styling cues with its predecessor, which in my view is no bad thing. After 34 years of revamping the same cab, it was definitely time for a fresh start.
Inside however, while everything is completely new, it’s still unmistakably DAF. That said, it all feels a little better built, helped by the use of more soft-touch plastics.
Although the current four-spoke steering wheel is carried over, the button groupings have changed, with all speed controls moving to the left, and infotainment buttons on the right. This is all part of DAF’s ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road’ philosophy.
It’s out with the old analogue dashboard, and in with a new 30cm digital version. It can be configured to either ‘modern’ or ‘classic’ modes, and provides drivers with as little or as much information as they require.
To the right of the driver (in left-hand-drive trucks) is a new 26cm infotainment screen, standard on all but poverty-spec vehicles. Although it is touchscreen, there’s a voice activation control, which DAF actively encourages the use of. From the driver’s seat, everything looks sleek and modern, the one exception being a pair of thick steering column-mounted stalks, which appear chunky and cumbersome in comparison.
DAF’s designers have put a huge amount of effort into improving visibility, and have definitely succeeded. I’ve never been in a long-haul truck with such a clear view of the road, both ahead and to the sides. The front wrap-around windscreen is 33 per cent larger than on current XF, and thanks to an impressively flat dashboard, you can see through most of it. The side windows are 15 per cent bigger, and the passenger windowsill is particularly low, providing a superb view towards the pavement.
Apparently DAF toyed with the idea of doing the same on the driver’s side, but then thought better of it. The decision was made to raise this side’s windowsill to a ‘normal’ level, providing drivers with added privacy, and a comfortable place to rest their arm (in addition to the seat-mounted armrest). A lower windowsill on this side wouldn’t have improved visibility anyway.
On the road I was immediately impressed with the new XF’s driving characteristics. The chassis, cab suspension and rear suspension geometry have all been redesigned, resulting in far superior ride and handling. Also helping with the feeling of stability and responsiveness, is the fact that you sit 75mm lower than in current XF.
We were running at 30 tonnes, which as you’d expect, proved little in the way of a challenge for the 449hp MX-11 engine. Helping to tackle some of the challenging hills in this area was the ZF TraXon 2-pedal transmission, with its impressively quick up-changes. DAF has taken this opportunity to delete the manual transmission from the options list, a decision which will apparently disappoint only three per cent of European XF buyers.
The truck coped equally well while descending hills too, thanks to the uprated MX engine brake, which now delivers 20 per cent more torque at lower revs. I found it kept the speed in check, when used in conjunction with the Predictive Cruise Control, on all but the steepest gradients.
Incidentally, horsepower remains the same, and the top power rating from the range-topping 12.9-litre MX-13 is still 530hp. It does however now have an additional 100Nm of torque in top gear (2,500Nm).
While the new range has been launched with a mechanical handbrake, an optional electronic version will be offered as an option early next year.
The Predictive Cruise Control and EcoRoll functions have been modified. These changes, along with other engine and driveline enhancements, have resulted in a further 3.9 per cent improvement in fuel economy. So, when combined with aerodynamics, the new trucks are up to 10.2 per cent more efficient than the current XF.
