Exhaust plan Leyland Daf: new model • The Leyland truck
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
plant is set to produce a brand new middleweight truck based on the successful 45 Series.
Tagged the Leyland Daf 55, the new model would effectively replace the current 50 Series Freighter, currently available between 11 and 17 tonnes GVW, plugging the gap between the 11tonne 45 Series and the 60 and 65Series 17-tonners.
It is expected that the 55 Series would offer more equipment than the 45 with a higher spec cab. Options would include the factory-built sleeper-cab which was shown at Brussels in January.
The higher levels of equipment would increase profit margins as well as appealing to customers. The new model could help to make the Leyland plant more attractive to potential buyers.
The 55 could use the 108kW (145hp) and 119kW (160hp) variants of the 5.9-litre Cummins BSeries engine from the 45 Series. The five-speed ZF gearbox would probably be replaced by the sixspeed ZF S6-36 used in the 50 and 60 Series models.
The 4.4m, 5.1m and 5.5m wheelbase options for the 45 Series would offer enough flexibility for use at 17-tonnes, as the chassis offers more rear overhang than equivalent 50 and 60 Series chassis.
Leyland Daf says that production at the Leyland plant is "something like normal". Most component suppliers have resumed deliveries and production is continuing to fulfil existing orders. The plant delivered a dozen vehicles to the Ministry ot Defence last week, as part of an order for 1,500. Another 500 vehicles are due to be supplied under this contract, with more than 3,000 more as part of the military four-tonner contract.