Secret Daf cab breaks cover
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• Could this be the long awaited medium-weight cab which Daf is expected to launch before the end of 1992? The photographs of this unusual Dutch-registered artic combination were taken by CM's special correspondent Gerlach Froneman in Germany, where the vehicle was spotted on test.
From the outside it was impossible to identify the truck's origin or power unit, but a glance in the cab showed it had a ZF Ecosplit gearbox (confirmed by the distinctive selector lever) a spacious sleeping area and a curved dashboard similar to the one used by Volvo in its FL10.
Daf and Leyland Daf are remaining tight-lipped about the mystery truck, which no doubt has various dummy exterior panels. But it is likely that the olive drab-painted tractive unit features the basic cab design that will be used on a new range of vehicles due to replace the current 1900 rigid and 2300, 2700 and 3200 tractors which use the old F220 and F241 Daf cabs_ Whether it would also replace the recently launched, Daf-powered Roadtrain replacement, called the 80 Series, is open to conjecture.
There is a clear overlap of models within the current Leyland Daf tractor range at around 246kW (330hp) with the 3200,80.330 and 95.330 models all competing for sales.
And despite its sophistication and proven driveline, Leyland Daf s 95 Series is still considered by many operators to be rather heavy for fleet work, where maximum payloads are demanded.
However, a lighter-cabbed Daf tractor range below the 95 Series between 201kW (270hp) and 246kW (329hp), featuring a single cab design, could give Leyland Daf greater sales potential in the 38-tonne tractor market against the likes of the smaller-cabbed Volvo FL10.
The I7-tonne Daf 1900 rigid is also showing its age now, and would benefit from a more modern appearance.
Once again the question is how long will Leyland Daf continue to use the 60 Series (Freighter) cab on its rigid chassis after the new medium cab is launched.
Whatever the shape of the new Daf cab, the planned medium range is likely to be powered by Dafs existing 8.25 and 11.6-litre engines, albeit revised to meet forthcoming tighter emission regulations, and possibly with improved power ratings.