LD says yes to UK 3200
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• Leyland Daf has now decided to offer a right-handdrive version of the latest Dutch-built Daf 3200 tractor in the UK. The 3200, launched at the Amsterdam Show earlier this year, is fitted with a reworked version of the old F241 cab previously used on the popular 2800, 3300 and 3600 Daf tractors.
Power in the 3200 is provided by the charge-cooled Daf KS238 ATi engine which pushes out 238kW (324hp) at 2,200rpm and has a peak torque of 1,300Nm (9591bft) at 1,300rpm. The 11.6-litre straight six KS238 engine is coupled to the familiar ZF Ecosplit 16-speed synchromesh box and a Daf back axle.
Leyland Daf will offer the 3200 in three wheelbases — 3.25, 3.5 and 3.8 metres — with the latter capable of coupling up with a 13.5 metre trailer. The company is not, however, intending to market it heavily, instead it will let it generate sales from those operators who previously bought Daf tractors and have remained loyal to the design.
According to Leyland Daf boss Roger Phillips: "There is an underlying demand for this particular product, it's really down to the person who traditionally had the 2800, 3300 and 3600 tractors."
The decision to bring in the 3200 gives Leyland Daf a proliferation of different tractor models in the power sector around 224-238kW (300320hp), with the 3200, 95 Series and Roadtrain all competing for sales — but Phillips insists that there is no conflict in the company's tractor range: "Nothing goes, you'll see it will be part and parcel of a new line-up not too far away."
Leyland Daf is looking at modest sales of about 150 a year when the 3200 hopefully completes Type Approval around late July. The initial response, however, appears to be good, with the right-handdrive 3200 already sold out to September production.
Although the F241 sleeper cab is one of the longestserving within the European heavy truck market, Daf has made an effort to keep it up-todate with a new front end and an uprated interior using the same trim colours as the 95 Series. The ZF box also has the 95 Series single H pattern with a range-change collar in place of the old double H on the earlier Daf tractors.
Leyland Daf is keeping a tight-lip on its future tractor range, although it could decide to increase the level of Daf engines fitted in its UK-built tractors, in line with the adoption of Daf engines as an option to existing proprietary power units in the Constructor range.