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Looking at the various drawings of Daf's new XF, CF and LF range, CM is struck by how close they are to the final product as witnessed by this design treatment and photo of the new XF. It suggests to us that whatever the vehicle, or its job, the Dutch truck maker's design team have a highly developed understanding of what's needed to satisfy the multiple demands from Daf's top management, production engineers, product marketeers and dealers, as well as customers and drivers.
screen provides clear benefits, like excelle nt downward vision good for spotting pedestrians and c Ither vulnerable road users. Making the cab narrower furtl ter improves the overall panoramic view, especially around the sides. Last but not least, we spy a futuristic road-trait 1, again with a prime-mover sporting an aero nose. Unin hibited by current cab dimensions, van Lotringen an, d his design team have clearly enjoyed themselves wit h these sketches.
"As a designer, it's great to play with and the box is small," he admits. "These are, o exciting sketches but not much reality ha play!' Talking of which, why do all futuri; have low-profile racing slicks instead of Lotringen responds with a smile: "Yes... bad as the car designers — their wheels ha them at all!" not to be told 2 11 f course, very come into tic truck designs gular tyres? Van veil, we're not as ve no rubber on Unfc
As we line-up of Euro-6 trucks, van Lotringen su discussion with commendable pragmatisn gently back down to earth as well). "You'i realistic. You're not making your own dre; making a product that has good answers f who's using it," he explains.
"I'd love to do things like this, but I'm a will never see the light of day, because it's the needs of the drivers or the operators." Doubtless, that unequivocal expression focus will reassure those hauliers thinking future come 2020. • irtunately, you have to be depart design corner and head ba( realistic k to the spot-lit ans up our (bringing us 7e got to be am; you're or the person lso aware this not addressing of customer about the or, indeed what might roll off Daf' , assembly lines