DAF XF
The decision facing our judges this year when picking the Fleet Truck of the Year was complicated by the fact that the New GenerationXF launched last year was not a direct replacement for the outgoing XF, which sold 600,000 units and was a winner of this award on five previous occasions including the last three years.
The new line-up of XF, XG and XG+ blurs the lines that were clear with old CF and XF ranges, and while many fleet operators are buying XG as their overnight trampers because of its bigger cab our panel felt the new XF was its top choice for the 2022 Fleet Truck of the Year.
The New Generation of DAFs were designed to take advantage of new Masses and Dimensions regulations that came into force in February last year, allowing an extra 160mm in length to improve fuel efficiency, driver safety and comfort.
DAF has exploited the extra length to reduce drag by 19%, producing a 6% fuel saving. A new powertrain gave a further 3% fuel saving while a host of other minor changes shaved 0.9% off fuel consumption, giving an overall saving of 10.2% on the previous model.
A 33% larger windscreen and slimmer A-pillars have led to a significant improvement in direct vision from the driver’s seat, and when a passenger door window and the mirrorless DAF Digital Vision System are added to the spec the XF achieves a three-star DVS rating.
The new cab offers class-leading ergonomics with a wraparound dash, plenty of storage space and what is claimed to be the best bunk in the industry.
The DAF dealer network is the biggest and arguably the best of any truck brand with 135 locations in the UK and Ireland. First time test pass rates are 98% – helped by the 59 authorised testing facilities in the DAF network – and DAFaid dealt with 100,000 calls in 2021, repairing 80% of breakdowns at the roadside.
“The DAF XF is a great truck. It measures change in legislation and is good for an operator’s bottom line. On top of that we have a great dealer network”
Laurence Drake, MD, DAF