DAF XF 105 : International Truck of the Year 2007

During a special celebration evening at the eve of the 61st IAA Commercial Vehicles 2006 exhibition in Hanover, which took place at the end of September, the ‘International Truck of the Year 2007’ award was officially handed over to DAF Trucks president Aad Goudriaan by Andy Salter, chairman of the jury. DAF received the truck industry’s most prestigious award for its new top-of-the-line XF105, which entered production last January.

The XF105 for long distance and heavy haulage features a restyled exterior, an entirely new interior design, a new chassis lay-out and the new 12.9 liter PACCAR MX engine, available in both Euro 4 and Euro 5 specifications. DAF’s XF105 sets new standards in terms of quality, efficiency and transport performance as well as in interior design, comfort, ergonomics and drivability.

Exterior styling

Evolution rather than revolution was the starting point for DAF’s new flagship. The DAF Design Center gave the XF105 a remarkable and unique appearance, while maintaining the eye-catching styling of the hugely successful XF95.

The more pronounced lower grille that continues down into the newly styled steel bumper, the cleaner lines of the newly designed upper grille, the new design for the mirrors and the entirely restyled Super Space Cab roof all combine to give the XF105 a unique look, both tough and friendly at the same time. The optional clear Xenon headlamps, cat’seye combi-lamps in the bumper and  integrated spotlights in the Super Space Cab roof give the XF105 a distinctive new appearance

 

XF 105 styling outside

The entirely restyled Super Space Cab roof with integrated spotlights and the new design for the mirrors give the XF105 a unique look.
The more pronounced lower grille continues down into the newly styled steel bumper. The optional clear Xenon headlamps and cat’s-eye combi-lamps give the XF105 an entirely new face.

XF 105 design inside

The XF105 sets totally new standards when it comes to interior design. New standards in the materials and colours which have been chosen, new standards in space and its use, new standards in quality, finish and ergonomics.

The driver was always the most important consideration during the design programme for the XF105. That’s true of the attractive door trim to the modern instrument panel, from the logically-positioned handles and switches to the steering wheel that sits comfortably in the driver’s hands, right through to the fold-away gear stick. It’s true too in the case of the numerous smart storage facilities through to the amber-tone indirect night lighting right across the floor and in the central storage tray.

In every respect, the interior has been designed to provide the best possible standards for the driver. Even the carefully-selected colour combinations give the interior a feel and look that makes working and living in this cab particularly pleasant. Right down to the minutest detail, the wishes and working conditions of the driver have been given top priority.

Seat

Sit in the comfortable seat, behind the ergonomically designed steering wheel and it immediately becomes clear that safety and ease of operation were given high priority during the development of the XF105.

The newly-designed steering wheel, which as an option, incorporates an airbag together with integrated, illuminated switches for operating a number of features including cruise control, down hill speed control and telephone.

Other key operating functions, including those for the AS-Tronic gearbox, are mounted on the steering column. Switches on the dashboard as well as the switches for the four large mirrors and window operation on the door console are all back-lit. Switches for the heating and ventilation system with automatic temperature control (ATC) are within easy reach. Among the features on the dashboard are three DIN slots, one above the other, to allow easy installation of not only an audio system but also the display screen of a navigation system or on-board computer, perfectly within the driver’s field of vision. Centrally mounted on the modern instrument panel is the information display, on which essential vehicle information is presented.

XF 105 interior

Thanks to the lowered position of the engine tunnel, the XF105 offers excellent standing room, in both the Space Cab and the Super Space Cab.

Because the gear stick can be folded away and indeed on the AS-Tronic version, is entirely absent, the passage from behind the wheel to the sleeping area is unrestricted, and the driver has complete freedom of movement.

The newly-designed sleeping area features two spacious bunks, the lower of which can also be used as a comfortable sofa. The upper bunk is easily accessible via a fold-away aluminum ladder with extra wide rungs. A new easy-lift support system also makes it a simple matter to fold away the top bunk. The facility for hanging a towel from the bunk illustrates the fact that DAF, like no other manufacturer, understands and meets every driver’s detailed wishes. Beneath the bunk is space for large storage drawers, with an option for installing a 45-litre refrigerator drawer, in which even large bottles can be stored upright. There is also a bottle holder mounted within easy reach of the driver’s seat.

XF 105 Châssis

By designing the air tanks and brake components layout on the inside of the chassis, space has been created for extra large fuel tanks. The XF105 can be supplied with a total tank capacity of 1,500 litres. Fuel tanks are available from DAF in either aluminum or steel.

The AdBlue tank for the SCR DeNOx installation is available with a capacity of 50 or 75 litres. The latter is sufficient for an operating radius of some 4,500 kilometres. Alongside the standard fuel gauge, the instrument panel also features a separate gauge for the AdBlue tank. By designing the air tanks and brake components layout on the inside of the chassis, space has been created for extra large fuel tanks.

The XF105 can be supplied with a total tank capacity of 1,500 litres. Fuel tanks are available from DAF in either aluminum or steel. The AdBlue tank for the SCR DeNOx installation is available with a capacity of 50 or 75 litres. The latter is sufficient for an operating radius of some 4,500 kilometres. Alongside the gauge for the standard fuel gauge, the instrument panel also features a separate gauge for the AdBlue tank. 

PACCAR MX ENGINE

he new 12.9-litre PACCAR MX engine, developed and manufactured at DAF Trucks in Eindhoven, will first be available with power outputs of between 410 hp (300 kW) and 510 hp (375 kW), with massive torques of between 2000 and 2500 Nm. At a later stage a 560 hp/410 kW engine will be available.

This entirely newly-developed six-cylinder engine combines excellent performance with economical fuel consumption.

The use of high-quality materials such as Compact Graphite Iron for cylinder block and cylinder head and extensive functional integration result in excellent reliability and durability.

The inlet manifold is integrated in the cylinder head and oil filter, oil thermostat and oil cooler have been combined in a single oil module.

The powerful, integrated decompression brake on the MX engine generates maximum braking capacity of 325 kW, no less than 200 to 250 kW of which are available in the practical engine speed range. This facility offers optimum downhill comfort, especially if you opt for the down-hill speed control system, linked to the cruise control. The unique SMART injection system, together with catalytic converter technology, means that the PACCAR MX engine can meet the stringent Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards, even without a soot filter.

Constructor : www.daftrucks.com