TEST II

DAF XD - “The True Distribution Truck”

To win ‘International Truck of the Year Award (IToY) is a significant achievement for any manufacturer. To win this prestigious title two years in a row is quite exceptional. Yet DAF Trucks has managed to do exactly that. DAF’s XF/XG series were worthy winners of the 2022 IToY and its latest model the XD, was designed and developed with the same mindset. So in reality it should be no surprise that DAF’s replacement for CF would not be as equally deserving of the honour.

While the styling is a contemporary take on a familiar profile, it has a distinct purpose. The styling is chiefly focused on enhancing safety in the urban environment, especially on improving visibility for the driver. In achieving this DAF also managed to produce a good-looking truck that should deliver a high level of driver appeal and street credibility. The styling also benefits from several aerodynamic features that first debuted on its larger sibling. While the flagship models often grab the headlines it is the lighter vehicles that

make up over 30% of DAF sales, so it’s an important segment for the Dutch manufacturer to get right.

With XD drivers get a spacious cab that, task-dependent, meets all their needs from any of the three versions available - low roof day cab, low roof sleeper and high roof sleeper. XD gets full LED lighting inside and out, and the quality of the interior trim will exceed expectations. Visibility through the window located in the nearside door is improved thanks to a fold-up cinema seat on the passenger side. In addition, the driver gets up to 2 meters of standing room, a feature quite unheard of in the distribution sector.

The upgrades extend to the driver’s cockpit where all primary controls are mounted on the steering wheel, with secondary controls ergonomically well placed. The driver can select one of four available modes for the infotainment display. Other features include good storage, a fridge and DAF’s signature pull-out dashboard table.

Various enhancements can be seen across different areas of the truck, and interestingly some of the enhancements are due to XD only being available with the PACCAR MX-11 engine. By only offering the 10.8 litre MX-11 in five power ratings from 300 to 450hp, and not using the MX-13, DAF has been able to mount the cab 170 mm lower than XG. This lower-mounted cab has enabled the designers to lower and reduce the depth of the dashboard to create their new ‘Vision Dashboard’. This delivers unparalleled visibility and greatly enhances the driver’s view to the front and nearside. It is best described as being able to see under the wiper blades through to the road.

This new level of visibility is made even better by DAF’s DVS (Direct Vision System) being fitted as standard. DVS provides an exceptional view of the area to the front, side and rear of the nearside A-pillar. The field of vision extends out to almost three metres. Nevertheless, as DAF’s Project Manager of Testing Raoul Wijnands described: “The direct view is the one you can rely on the best, and where the combination of mirrors and DVS is good – having no mirrors is better”. Certainly on the test drive we found that the camera system worked well. The low, two-step access is common to all three cabs, and all three benefit from being a full 2.5 metres wide. Even the day cab (like XG) is longer by 150 mm length which makes it a very pleasant and spacious working environment. Yet DAF claims access to XD is equal to some so-called ‘Low Entry’ trucks.

DAF Trucks has carried out extensive work on aerodynamics and has developed a range of options for XD. Its research has found that even when pulling a liquid tank or road barrel the correct air kit can save up to 3-4% on fuel, albeit fully accepting that in city driving this will not be the case. It is interesting to note that even with its

many new features, XD weighs approximately 40 kg lighter than its equivalent predecessor.

From the large selection of trucks available, the smallest, the XD 370hp 4x2 day-cab skip-loader was chosen first. Despite its diminutive size, the truck felt exactly as DAF had said was ‘a smaller version of the big XG.’ With 370 hp available the truck performs well in city traffic and the benefits of DAF’s investment in improved visibility were appreciated. When clearing the city and taking a twisting mountain coast road, the little XD proved sure-footed and positive through the turns. The steering is a delight to work with and the lightness of the drive would make this SWB XD an exceptional truck for city centre and urban transports such as skip transfer. This XD felt equally at home on the short motorway section tried - again giving the feel of a larger more powerful unit. In moving up a level to the XD 450hp 6x2 sleeper with a non-steered trailing axle, again it immediately felt as if one was driving a larger vehicle rather than a vocational truck. Fully freighted the 10.8 litre MX-11 was more than capable, and as with the XD 370, the ZF TraXon transmission is well paired with the PACCAR engine. DAF will no longer offer a manual gearbox, although a fully automatic Allison is available. In this segment, PTO options are always important and here DAF offers a selection of drives including a 1,000 Nm option from the flywheel/transmission.

All versions were driving through a 2.38:1 rear axle ratio which was also well suited to the work. The option of a non-steered tag axle suits many operators who may not be manoeuvring in exceptionally tight spaces a lot of the time, and we found it made the truck more solid on the road, no doubt helped by the lower mounted cab. That being said, all models of DAF’s XD driven were exceptionally comfortable and as with XG, the driving position is first class.

The XD 450 6x2 tractor and tri-axle fridge was taken for the final run. This MX 11 provides 2,200 Nm of torque from a low 900 rpm through to 1,400 rpm, and 2,350 Nm from 900 to 1,125 rpm for the Multi-Torque variant. The lower mounted cab will suit national road work, especially in Ireland and the comfort and performance will please any driver. Interestingly it can even be specced with a fuel capacity up to 1,100 litres.

The XD tractor is set squarely at the national distribution sector and will aim to win over operators, especially in areas such as supermarket distribution. However, with XD, DAF is bringing new levels of safety, comfort and options to the segment and will set a new challenge for other manufacturers in this highly competitive segment, as PR Manager at DAF Trucks NV Rutger Kerstiens concluded: “XD is a step forward and is the true distribution truck.” In this case DAF’s launch tagline of ‘Start the Future’ stands up to scrutiny, as XD is also designed to accommodate a variety of possible alternative drivelines. “

There was a time when the distribution truck was a scaled-down, bare-bones version of the flagship model – a version with all the comforts

removed. DAF has changed this with XD - it’s now a truck with the same DNA as its larger sibling, meaning that it is the same truck - just a bit smaller.

The success of XF/XG series has been quite remarkable to date. In its first year, DAF has over placed over 50,000 units on its order books. As XD is a carbon copy of the winning 2022 IToY, DAF will be hopeful of repeating that sales success. With XD, DAF has ‘Start-ed the Future’ and set a new benchmark for the urban distribution sector - with more promised for next year.

Text & Photos: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie

SPEC CHECK

make / model Chassis / Cab Engine/Euro Rate Power@1600 rpm Torque * Transmission Suspension Axle / Ratio Fuel/Adblue Cap wheels / Tyres body/Trailer

DAF XD 370 FA DAF XD 450 FAR

4x2 Rigid Day Cab MX-11 / 10.8 L / Euro 6 6X2 Rigid Sleeper Cab MX-11 / 10.8 L / Euro 6

270 kW / 367 hp

330 kW / 449 hp 1800 Nm/ 900-1125 rpm 2350 Nm/900-1125 rpm 12 – Speed TraXon 12 – Speed TraXon

Ft Springs / Rr Air St 1344 / 2.38:1 Ft Springs / Dr & Rr Air SR 1344 2.38:1

340 / 45 Lits 620 / 75 Lits

385/65 & 315/80 R22.5 VDL Skip-loader 315/70 R22.5 Curtainsider DAF XD 450 FTG 6X2 Tractor Hi Sleeper MX-11 / 10.8 L / Euro 6 330 kW / 449 hp 2350 Nm/900-1125 rpm 12 – Speed TraXon F Spring / M Air / R Air SR 1344 / 2.38:1 905 / 40 Lits 315/70 R22.5 Tri-Axle Fridge