This line-up is the end result of an investment of over one billion euros, the biggest innovation project in the truck maker’s history so far. An entirely new generation of top model DAFs, designed from scratch. Meet the successors to the current XF-series, from left to right: the 2021 XG+, XG and XF.
Over the past years, I must have posted a whole armada of DAF XF trucks and tractors. Like this outstanding 2019 XF 530 FTG, representing the final edition. Cab-wise, all of them were direct descendants of the 95-series, introduced in 1987.
A fine example of the Ur-model is the 1996 DAF 95.400 6×2 truck above, which I caught five years ago. After a long era of updates and improvements (95 XF, XF 95, XF 105, XF Euro 6), both inside and outside, it was time to come up with something radically new.
Last September, new European length regulations went into effect. Primarily to improve the big rigs’ aerodynamics and safety (crash protection). With the introduction of the upcoming top models, DAF is the first manufacturer that takes full advantage of these regulations. Compared with the current generation, the cab’s front got a 160 mm (6.3”) elongation.
The base model of the new generation is called the XF, just like the previous one. The lower window in the right door is optional, it’s combined with a foldable passenger seat. A safety feature, highly convenient when turning right. All dimensions stated are in mm.
The next step up is the high-rise XG. Compared with the XF, you also get 330 mm (13”) extra cab length behind the seats.
And this is the ne plus ultra DAF, the XG+ flagship, because 200 mm (7.9”) taller than the XG. With its 12.5 m³ (16.3 yd³) cab, the XG+ has the biggest factory tilt cab on the market. Note the absence of mirrors, there are cameras on the outside of the cab and displays inside.
Truly inviting and classy. With a digital dash, of course.
For the time being, the new generation is powered by revised MX-11 (10.8 liter) and MX-13 (12.9 liter) inline-six turbodiesels. Manuals are not available, ZF TraXon transmissions all the way. DAF claims an improved fuel efficiency of 10% for the whole package.
Now instead of writing up a sheer endless list of features and details, I’d rather leave it to some DAF kingpins to tell the whole story.
Harry Wolters (CEO), Ron Borsboom (product development), Bart van Lotringen (design), Richard Zink (marketing and sales) and truck driver Hannah walk you through the whole development process and final product. Personally, I like the parts about truck aerodynamics and the alternative drivetrains they’re working on.
The production starts in October. I’m certain they will appear on our roads in large numbers, soon after.
All 2021 DAF XF, XG and XG+ images, photo courtesy of DAF Trucks N.V.
Nice, a big leap forward in many aspects. It will be interesting to see how much of this filters through to the US trucks.
I know that DAF’s family members Kenworth and Peterbilt are also available with the MX-11 and MX-13 engines. And that the DAF LF, Kenworth K270/K370 and Peterbilt 220 are equipped with the same tilt cab.
Cummins engines (marketed as PACCAR) are offered here in some DAF models. Eaton Fuller transmissions are not available in DAFs for the European market, ZF only.
Otherwise, I don’t know of other shared, major components.
Yeah the updates in the MX family will certainly spread throughout the range quickly as they should bring MPG increases where ever they go.
As far as the trucks themselves go I was thinking some of those features moving to their big US trucks like the T680 and the answer is that the electronics and ADAS systems are coming now and of course Aerodynamics were a high priority as well. I am surprised that the camera/mirror system doesn’t appear to be available yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hTrh1RNqJs
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hTrh1RNqJs&w=560&h=315%5D
Interesting difference in the style of the video.
Filmed in and around my stomping grounds with shots of trucks in Seattle, near the Renton plant and at the R&D center in Mt Vernon.
I agree about the video difference. The European one is simultaneously slightly cheesy and yet also more professional.
I’m not a truck guy, but I watched it all the way through.
That next gen T680 is looking mighty slick, as if it can do 125 mph “with the fingers in the nose” (as we say).
I just went through Kenworth’s and Peterbilt’s website. The classic (almost vintage looking, by now) Kenworth W900L~W990 and Peterbilt 389 are especially driven by the somewhat older (and I absolutely don’t mean that in a condescending way) generation of owner/operators, I assume?
Anyway, there must be a serious enough demand, otherwise the manufacturers wouldn’t still offer them.
Roadranger equipped DAFs came here via Australia where the ZF manual is removed and a Eaton Fuller installed, the auto models are good to drive in auto as all the intarder features come into play in manual mode nothing works properly.
Unlike engines and axles, DAF never made their own truck transmissions. The Variomatic, that was their only in-house transmission…
Fullers were available, along with ZF, into the early eighties I think. Heavy DAFs came with a synchronized ZF 16-speed for a very long time. The 1996 DAF 95 in the article must have one.
No mirrors. Great. Just what I always wanted.
I wondered how much longer that cab would last! Early on there were Seddon Atkinson variants as well a the more common LeylandDAF 95s.
DAF 95, Pegaso Troner, Seddon Atkinson Strato: same cab.
Thanks. I can see the benefits of that extra half-foot, in terms of aerodynamics and safety. Good call on the EU to change the regs.
It will be interesting to see how soon we see them on the roads here in The UK. As we know, the current XF has been around for quite a while and DAF trucks are extremely popular/common here – how long until the new ones are everywhere?
It must have cost the company quite a bit to develop the new size cabs and other new features, not including the drive-train areas.
The new trucks have just been introduced onto the Euro Truck Simulator game and I have had a little try with one for an hour. It quite seems pleasant so far, in a simulated way.
‘DAF starts the future’ they say.
DAF, got really big when they launched their 24/7 International breakdown service in the eighties.
I remember being stranded somewhere in Belgium between Zeebrugge and Gent at 03.00 at night, when I finally found a telephone and could make a call their breakdown service arrived and fixed my truck.did not have to pay a penny but we received an invoice even with a decent rate !
ATi fuel efficient engines, Turbo Intercooler it was all things helping DAF, what Volvo came up with first, the idea, the whole integrated concept behind the F88 / F 89 trucks, DAF copied and expanded this. (Volvo were the first to launch integrated running and maintenance costs, by making the drivetrain more accessable they introduced the tiltcab; maintenance became easier, quicker and less costly)
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