Daf range heralds new era
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• Only two weeks after Iveco unveiled its EuroTech truck range Daf has hit back with a new range of middleweight distribution and fleet tractors.
Retiring Daf chairman Aart van der Padt says that the 75 and 85 Series, which broke cover at the Hanover Show, mark "the start of a new era" for the ailing Dutch manufacturer, but British hauliers will have to wait at least 12 months to get their hands on the new models.
The newcomers will gradually replace a number of existing models in the current Daf and Leyland Daf ranges including the 2300, 2700 and 3200, although in the UK the Roadtrain-cabbed 80 Series will live on alongside the new twins for some time.
The distinctive 75/85 Series cab will be built at Daf's Westerlo plant in Belgium; the larger 95 Series cab is produced at the Daf/Enasa Cabtec plant in Spain.
The wedge-shaped 75/85 Series medium cab will be a direct competitor to the lowheight FL cab from Volvo and Scania's P cab. It has conventional four-point coil spring suspension, and has been designed to be mounted as low as possible on the chassis frame without compromising cross-cab access.
Like all Daf/Leyland Daf models it sports the three-bar Daf family grille. However, its most striking features are the wingshaped pressings in the doors and side panels.
Intrusion
The packaging of chassis components around the cab is particularly impressive; the minimal intrusion of the engine hump into the sleeper cab eases access to the roomy bunk area.
The 85 Series tractor is only 102mm taller than the 75 which is intended primarily for tractor operations up to 32/35 tonnes GCW—the 75 is also available as a 4x2 drawbar rigid and a 6x4 tipper. It is powered by a reworked charge-cooled version of the old 8.25-litre Daf straightsix, now increased to 8.65 litres.
Power options are 180kW (245hp), 200kW (272hp), and 222kW (302hp), with torque outputs from 865 to 1,130Nm. A more rigid cylinder block reduces noise; a new high pressure injection system and modified combustion chambers are said to provide greater torque over a wide speed range. Standard gearbox on the 75 will be the all-synchromesh ZF 9S109 Ecomid ninespeeder with a 16-speed splitter option.
The 85 Series is designed to operate at up to 40 tonnes GCW and is powered by the same 11.6-litre WS Daf straight-six engine as the larger 95 Series tractor. In this application it is rated at 242kW (330hp) and 268kW (365hp). Standard transmission in the 85 is the 16-speed ZF Ecosplit box, with Eaton's Twin Splitter as an option. The 85 will appear as 4x2 and 6x2 tractors, 4x2 and 6x2 drawbar rigids and as a 6x4 and 8x4 tipper.
As well as new chassis, the 75 and 85 come with a wide choice of rear axles. Steel parabolic springs are standard all round with air as an option.
Direct
The 242kW 85 Series will be a direct competitor to the existing Roadtrain-cabbed 80 Series in Britain. But Leyland Daf insists that it will continue to supply the 80 Series to big fleet buyers who want a no-frills fleet tractor.
Production of the 70 Series will also continue. At the Hanover launch David Gill, Leyland Dal's managing director of sales and marketing, said: "So long as there is reasonable demand these models will remain."
Right-hand drive production starts at Eindhoven next year, but Gill does not expect large volume deliveries before the second quarter. UK and Dutch production is moving towards a build-to-order system.