Daf targets 8% fuel saving with new Aero
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By David Wilcox DAF TRUCKS has added a lowdrag boxvan body to its in-house range of bodywork for its LF and CF rigid chassis built at its Leyland Trucks plant.
The body, dubbed the Aero, is designed for the 7.5to 12-tonne GVW Daf LF chassis and comes in three lengths and two widths. It is available with either barn doors or a roller-shutter. Distinguishing features include a curved proile on the forward section of the roof and a roof scoop diffuser at the rear, the latter reducing the low pressure area behind the body.
There is also a new air-kit for the LF45’s cab, designed to match the Aero body and allow air to low from cab to body smoothly.
The air-kit comprises a newly designed roof-mounted spoiler and cab-side delectors.
Despite the dropped roof-line, Daf says the Aero body loses hardly any usable volume as the internal height at the front bulkhead is no lower than the aperture beneath the rear frame. “We’ve designed it to not only save fuel but also deliver maximum productivity,” said Daf marketing director Tony Pain. “We’ve researched and tested more extreme designs but they often compromised day-to-day practicalities.” Daf claims that the Aero body and spoiler kit cuts fuel consumption by 8% at 56mph compared with its standard box body and adjustable roof spoiler. But those savings come at a price: the Aero body is listed at £1,220 more than the equivalent standard box. The new roof spoiler and cab-side delectors cost £840, about £230 more than the standard LF45 adjustable roof spoiler.
Ryder has taken the irst two Aero bodies for 7.5-tonne LF45s in its rental leet. Another has entered service with white goods manufacturer Hotpoint, working on multi-drop direct deliveries.