ars 95 Series dates back to 1987, when it was
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introduced with a choice of Luxury Day, Sleeper, Top Sleeper and Space Cabs for operation at 38 tonnes, and with an engine that can be traced back even further, to the late I96os. In the 95 Series the u.6-litre unit was introduced at a nominal 3rohp, 350hp and 38 ohp, but within three years they were each replaced by more powerful 33ohp, 36 ohp and 4o ohp options. Operators wanted even more power, but at the time it was generally thought that Daf engineers would face a tough challenge if they were asked to squeeze any more out of the WS engine without sacrificing reliability or longevity.
But we hadn't reckoned on Des "Advanced Turbo Intercooling". In truth it was a piece of Daf marketing hype but, with the ATi badging, power was increased yet again to 43ohp, which carried the model through to the beginning of 19 97, Such was the popularity of the big cab by then that all other variants were dropped in favour of the Space and Super Space Cabs for the 95XF. After all, the 85 Series was now available with a more modern, more compact cab for fleet buyers.
If we thought the future of the WS engine was in doubt, we were wrong. Reworked with a longer stroke, new twin cross-flow cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, dished pistons with dual closely spaced compression rings in dry cylinder liners and a seven-bearing crank, it re-emerged as the new 12.6-litre overhead-cam Euro-2 XF engine rated at 38o, 43o and 48ohp.
To those who wanted still more power and torque Daf offered 53ohp in the form of the 14-litre Cummins engine to tide it over until it developed its own, all new, stronger and more compact 53ohp (39okW) XE Euro-3 engine for the XF range. It, too, was based on the i2.6-litre design, but with the block constructed of compact graphite iron instead of grey cast iron and with an even bigger crankshaft, it joined the range at the end of 199 9.
If there could ever be such a thing as a perfect HOV, the XF has two of the main ingredients: the large cab appealed to the driver, and the engine's fuel economy was better than most at the weight.
CM editor Brian Weatherley tested the Space-Cabbed 95XF 480111 October 1997. He said: "When it comes to fuel economy, the 95XF 480 is a special truck: 8.28mpg was far and away the best result we achieved from any Euro-2 tractor with more than 400hp on tap. It may not have the biggest payload, but on productivity it's still the one to go for,"
And on the subject of the cab, he said: "Super luxury seats seemed worth every penny. The Space Cab is a true double-manning cab. If there isn't enough for your kit, then try the Super Space Cab.
"Cross-cab access is better than the Scania 4 Series. Oaf addressed all of the old 95's bad points. It's frugal, productive and comfortable. It can move fast and stop quickly. Price. wise, it's pitched at the right level."
• by Bill Brock