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New Generation DAF XF, XG & XG+ - Efficiency, Safety and Driver Comfort Guaranteed
DAF doesn’t do daft! The Americanowned Dutch based truck brand built its highly regarded reputation on steady and gradual developments of its drivetrains and cabs. Rather it’s approach could be described as strategic. A case in point is the evolution of the original 95/XF heavy duty model. When launched back in 1997, it was both statement making and futuristic. Above all, it has stood the test of time. So, how do you completely replace an iconic cab while including multiple elements necessary to meet today’s and tomorrow’s technical innovations and
legal requirements? Best start with a clean sheet of paper, as verified by Bart van Lotingen, Design Director at DAF Trucks N.V. Bart, who has enjoyed a long career at the Eindhoven headquartered company, is particularly pleased with the creation of not only a replacement of the XF but the addition of two other models, namely the XG & XG+ to extend and top the range. When asked about coming up with the XG name, Bart admitted: “It doesn’t have any real significance, just that G follows F in the alphabet!” There goes my theory that it meant ‘grande’! FLEETTRANSPORT | SEPT-OCT 21
Nonetheless, what Bart and his design team have come up with is indeed very impressive and interesting. As Ron Borsboom, Executive Director Product Development at DAF Trucks acclaimed: “We are very proud of our new series of trucks, not only because they deliver industry leading efficiency, safety and driver comfort but also these fantastic new vehicles pave the way to the future of road transport.” Designing, developing and eventually manufacturing a new truck takes time, patience and much consultation. In this case, the new XF & XG ranges involved much discussion with the powers-thatbe in the European Commission. Changes to cab dimensions were being regulated for as far back as 2015, with the ‘aim of improving energy efficiency’, particularly with regards to the aerodynamic performance of cabs, as well as road safety, vehicles or vehicle combinations, ‘which fulfil the requirements laid down and which comply with Directive 2007/46/EC, and may exceed the maximum length laid down: Article 9a; New M&D Regulartion 2015/719’.
“The new 2015/719 regulation allow elongated cabs for increasing efficiency, safety and driver comfort” In essence, the new cab is more aerodynamic and provides more internal
space for the driver. While the frontal area has been elongated, scope for extending the back wall of the new cab was provided for. There was no overall opportunity to lengthen the tractor-unit and trailer combination load space which remains at 12 metres. The regulation implemented in September 2020 is similar for rigid truck and trailer combination.
In adapting to these new regulations for masses and dimensions, the overall length extension allows for ‘a significant reduction of air-drag’, while taking ‘a significant step in safety, not least for vulnerable road users, and also offering a significant step in driver comfort’.
‘The success story of the 95/XF includes three ITOY Awards; 600,000 units made: Sold in 69 countries’ In addition, future direct vision standards had to be met. Ron explained that there were three main pillars or strategic drivers behind the development of the ‘New Generation DAF XF, XG & XG+ - Efficiency, Safety and Driver Comfort (now and for the future). Additionally, the new models are ‘ready for further adaption’, in that they are suitable for the installation of alternative powertrains, i.e., HVO and Biodiesel, Battery Electric, Hybrid drives and
