RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH

DAF launches full range of go anywhere, do-anything vocational trucks.

DAF’s roll-out of Next Generation trucks continues with a range of vehicles aimed at the ‘vocational’ segment. Following on from the new XD, XF, XG and XG+, the new range leans into recent changes to EU Masses & Dimensions legislation that permits longer vehicles with bigger cabs. XDC and XFC construction trucks are built on the same DNA as their siblings – plus offer a range of upgrades for operators working off-road and on-site.

Words: Dean Barrett

Photographs: DAF Trucks

XDC and XFC can be specified with single or double drive and are available as 8x4, 6x4 or 4x2. The latter is a first for DAF, and a switchable hydraulic frontwheel drive system (PXP) can also be fitted to 4x2s which engages if slip is detected on the driven wheels. This provides some useful extra traction when required.

XDC/XFC 6x4 and 8x4 FAT and FAD rigid models (plus 6x4 FTT tractor units) can be taken with a choice of double-drive tandems, starting with the 19-tonne lightweight tandem with single reduction (SR1132T), leaf spring suspension and either disc or drum brakes. For heavier work, there’s 21 and 26-tonne versions of the SR1360T single-reduction tandem with disc brakes and air suspension. Finally, a 21 and 26-tonne tandem is offered with hub reduction (HR1670T) with air or leaf spring suspension, plus drum brakes. There’s a wide range of rear axle ratios to choose from, ranging from 3.46:1 to 7.21:1.

It’s worth noting that along with XDC and XFC, DAF has also made its full tandem range available for New Gen 6x4 and 8x4 XD, XF, XG and XG+ that mainly do on-road work. 6x4 and 8x4 FAT and FAD rigids can be spec’d as XD and XF with day, sleeper and high sleeper cabs. 6x4 FTT tractor units can be taken as XG and XG+, as can 8x4 FAW tridem rigids with steered trailing axle. An 8x4 FTM heavy-duty tractor option with steered pusher axle is also available in XF, XG and XG+ form for GVWs up to 120-plus tonnes.

And while we’re on the subject, DAF has also launched a new Extra

Robust spec for XD and XF aimed at construction and municipal operations that will see the trucks mostly working on the road but requiring some extra toughness. Chassis are the same as on-road XD and XF, but the trucks also carry a three-piece steel bumper, standard radiator protection plate and steel Front Underrun Protection.

Looking the part

The new XDC and XFC have a signature black front grille and steel radiator protection plate for added front-end protection. Chassis have also been tweaked to give an approach angle of 25 degrees and ground clearance of up to 40 cm, depending on axles and tyres. A swing step can be added as an option to help with the climb up into the cab.

The vehicles have a unique appearance which includes a tough steel front bumper (lava grey as standard or body colour as an option). This has a threepiece build to reduce costs should sections need replacing, and a pair of maintenance-free LED fog lights are deeply recessed into the bumper to keep them out of harm’s way.

At launch, engine options for the XDC and XFC are the PACCAR MX11 with power outputs ranging from 300-450 bhp, and the MX-13 ranging from 410-530 bhp. TraXon automated transmissions are standard and an Off-road mode is an option. DAF is also offering an ASR Off mode for tackling slippery surfaces, and a Rock Free mode for getting out of trouble. A wide range of PTOs can be spec’d for driving tippers, mixers and cranes etc.

XDC and XFC can be fitted with DAF’s Electronic Park Brake, plus the new

Park Brake Assist which applies the service brakes on all axles, instead of just the driven axle. This helps to make sure the vehicle stays put during loading/unloading etc.

Safety features include large windscreen and door windows, ultra-low beltlines, and optional Kerb View Window and foldable passenger seat – all of which help with all-round visibility. Additional side and rear windows can also be added if required.

DAF’s Digital Vision System can be fitted to replace main and wide-angle mirrors. Plus, the Corner View wideangle camera can show a 285-degree view of the area around the near-side A-pillar, and City Turn Assist can alert drivers when it detects other road users in the nearside blindspot.

XDC FAD mixer

DAF gave journalists an opportunity to try out the new vehicles at a launch ride-and-drive event in the Netherlands. For our first test, we picked out an XDC 8x4 FAD with Liebherr concrete mixer body. It was fitted with the MX-11 Euro 6 motor rated at 450 bhp, which delivers 2350 Nm of torque between 900-1125 rpm. It had a 12-speed TraXon automated transmission with Off-road software –though as we were going to be driving on the local highways, we switched over to Eco mode. The truck also had 7.1-tonne 167N front axles with parabolic suspension, 19-tonne SR1132T tandem rear axles and 315/80R22.5 tyres.

Having driven the New Gen XD, XF and XG/XG+ before, we noticed lots of similarities with the XDC Day cab.

More interior space means drivers have a much wider range of seat and steering wheel adjustment. There’s room to spare in the XDC, even for taller drivers who may sometimes struggle to fit in other cabs.

Day cabs come with extended interior space as standard with enough room for storage behind the seats, and ours had an optional central fridge (fitted longways across the back wall) and upgraded bass woofer behind the passenger seat. We also had the premium Xtra Leather Air driver’s seat – a third seat can be fitted if required, and other options include vinyl wall trim and seat covers for easier cleaning.

DAF’s new digital dash is controlled via buttons on the steering wheel and stalks, plus there are physical switches on the console for secondary functions. DAF’s Vision dashboard has a steep downward slant away from the driver to improve line of sight, and it does make a difference to visibility. Our truck was fitted with standard glass mirrors, though the DAF Corner View camera was installed with a screen on the nearside A-pillar to open up the blindspot around the cab.

Once comfortable, we started up and headed out for a mix of A-road and motorway driving. As we were grossing 13 tonnes empty, the flat Dutch highways caused no problems for the 450 bhp engine and there wasn’t much opportunity to give the three-stage

MX Engine Brake a workout, though it proved more than enough to handle most of the braking on our drive.

After around 20 minutes of cruising the motorway and winding around a few roundabouts on the outskirts of town, it was time to head back to base. Overall, we found the XDC gave a very comfortable ride – the TraXon gearbox was super-smooth and the light, airy cab makes for a very pleasant place to work.

XFC FAD 8x4 tipper

For our next drive, we were taken to a large working quarry to try out an XFC FAD 8x4 tipper with the biggest MX-13 530 bhp engine delivering 2,700 Nm of torque. Loaded to 33 tonnes, the truck was fitted with 9-tonne front axles and a 26-tonne hub-reduction tandem axle. Diff lock was engaged and the transmission was switched to Off-road mode, ready for our run around the dirt.

Riding on steel suspension, things soon got bouncy as we threaded through numerous stone piles on our way to a hill at the far side of the quarry.

Climbing the curving track up the steep incline, the XFC’s Off-road software made quick gearshifts without losing momentum to get us quickly to the top.

Cresting the hill, we had a better opportunity to try out the MX Engine Brake on the way back down. Manually changing into fourth gear for a slow, controlled descent, we found stage two kept the vehicle under full control all the way down.

Although our driving time in the new construction trucks was limited, it’s clear to see the improvements DAF has made with the XDC and XFC models. They feel robust, they’re easy to drive and offer a much greater sense of space than DAF’s outgoing vocational trucks.

Crucially, a ‘British-spec’ XDC FAD 8x4 can achieve a three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating, which will be required for trucks entering London starting from next year. To reach this rating, operators will need to spec the XDC with DAF’s Digital Vision System, Corner View, Vision dash, Kerb

View Window with fold-up cinema passenger seat, 167N front axles and 295/80 or 315/80 tyres.

It’s also worth noting that the XD can achieve a full five stars for DVS if spec’d with a Kerb View Window, Digital Vision System, Corner View and a protruding on-road or tougher off-road bumper – a set-up that’s being offered exclusively to the UK market. Front tyre size is restricted to maximum 315/70 and specific front axle variants (161N/163N/183N) are also required to hit this rating. DAF is the only manufacturer that can currently achieve a five-star DVS rating with its regular road cab, and not a low-cab version – an impressive achievement indeed.