Big Daf has room on top
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• Leyland Daf has released early details of its flagship 95.500, due for launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show in February. Apart from the 373kW (500hp) engine, the biggest changes are to the cab, which is taller and longer than the existing Space Cab.
Tagged the Super Space Cab, it measures 3.85m high and 2.25m long, giving a standing headroom of 2.25m, while the additional length improves sleeping accommodation. Leyland Daf claims the big cab has a class-leading bunk width of 81cm.
The Super Space Cab will not be available in right-hand-drive initially, Leyland Daf claims this is because most British operators will buy the big 95 for international work.
No engine details have been released, except that the engine is said to be sourced: "From one of the leading proprietary manufacturers of commercial vehicle engines." In July CM reported that the 95.500 will use the 14-litre Cummins Celect N500E (CM 22-28 July). Like other Daf engines, the electronically controlled unit will meet the forthcoming Euro-2 emissions requirements.
Leyland Daf is staying with ZF for the transmissions, using the highest torque-rated Ecosplit 16S 221 with aluminium housing and integral clutch. This box will find its way into the rest of the 95 model range by the middle of next year. There are no plans at present to
offer Eaton constant mesh gear• boxes or SAMT.
Initially, the 95.500 will be available only as a 4x2 tractive unit. The lack of a twin-steer is a surprising omission for a vehicle designed for high gross combination weights.
Production of the Super Space Cab is to begin in the middle of next year. It will also be offered with the existing 11.6-litre engine variants, with power ratings up to 315kW (422hp).