50 Years of ITOY – 2018 DAF CF and XF

DAF announced the latest versions of the long-standing CF and XF at Birmingham in April 2017, which embodied the philosophy of multiple marginal gains leading to significant overall improvements.

Having succeeded with a similar formula in 2007 with the XF 105, DAF triumphed again in 2018 with the judges being sufficiently impressed with the evolution of the breed to award the combined range a total of 104 votes, narrowly beating the Iveco NP on 96 votes, with Scania’s XT range in third position on 59.

The new vehicles remained powered by the Paccar MX11 and MX13 engines, and these were re-engineered to “down-speed” with a maximum torque available at only 900rpm. New turbochargers, reduced-friction pistons, combustion and air management systems were introduced, and smart oil, steering and water pumps were employed to match their output to the demands of the engine.

Output across the range was increased by between 10hp and 20hp with the MX11 delivering either, 300hp, 340hp, 370hp, 410hp or 450hp and the MX13 available with 430hp, 480hp or 530hp. A new ECU with “Multi Torque” engineering produced extra torque in the highest gear, to enable longer periods of running in top gear, and although the engines relied on SCR and EGR, the after-treatment box was reduced by 40% in size and 50kg in weight. This enabled the device to reach its optimum operating temperature more quickly.

Behind the engine, the new ZF TraXon 12- and 16-speed gearboxes were installed and these also played a part in the campaign against frictional power loss, being designed to operate at low engine speed in all gears, and to provide faster shifts. Optional vocation-specific software packages were available, and the Eco-Roll function was extended for greater frugality with the increased integration of engine and gearbox with predictive cruise control.

In keeping with the new drivetrain philosophy, new rear axles were introduced including a 2.05:1 ratio for 85kmh cruising at 1,000rpm. A new crown wheel and pinion design was introduced for lower noise, reduced friction, increased efficiency and service life.

The chassis received weight-saving attention and depending on axle configuration, up to 100kg could be saved on some models. Inside the cab, the make-over included a revised instrument panel with more driver information and new, warmer, colours to achieve a premium feel. A new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system was also introduced which used residual heat in the cooling system to eliminate engine idling.

Externally, the changes were modest and included a redesigned badge with chrome edges, mounted on to a new grille panel with raised mouldings at either side. The XF received a new mesh on the grille, and the CF silver strips at the bottom of the grille apertures. Both trucks received an aluminium-look accent to their bumpers and an aerodynamically optimised sun-visor.

In September 2017, multi-axle and rigid models joined the long-distance range and brought with them new electro-hydraulic steered trailing axles and dual-mounted trailing axles, sealing the win for DAF, with the 2018 IToY title being awarded at Solutrans in Lyon in November 2017.