Truck tractors are one of the most common types of cargo vehicles that are used to transport large, heavy loads, mainly over fairly long distances. The cars themselves are not designed for this, so they are used in combination with semi-trailers, which are attached to them using a special clutch device called a saddle. The DAF tractor unit is at the forefront in this regard as a truck with high performance capabilities, good production quality and adequate power.
Features of the XF 95 model
At the moment, the DAF XF 95 truck model is a little outdated. This is due to the fact that the production of this vehicle began back in 1997. 10 years after this point, the manufacturer decided to stop producing cars of this type. Thus, in our time, it is not possible to purchase a DAF XF 95 truck tractor in a new form without mileage. Despite this, many carriers buy used vehicles due to the fact that their quality and reliability have not deteriorated significantly over many years of operation. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the fact that most often cars sold are those operated in Europe, which indicates a fairly low mileage and use on high-quality roads. That is why we can say that this model of the Dutch manufacturer is one of the leaders in road freight transportation across Russia.
For a more detailed analysis of the features of the DAF XF 95 car model, it is necessary to consider the technical characteristics of this vehicle. There are several different wheel options for the truck, but the two-axle chassis with rear-wheel drive has gained the most popularity. The second most common type is with three axles and a “lazy” bridge.
XF 95 Specifications:
| Length mm | 7600 |
| Width mm | 2400 |
| Height mm | 2400 |
| Wheelbase mm | 3600 |
| Maximum tractor speed (with limiter) | 95 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 32 l per 100 km |
| Number of engine cylinders | 16 |
| Working volume | 12.7 and 14 l |
| Fuel injection system | UPEC from DAF |
| Power | from 381 to 530 hp |
| Maximum torque | from 1750 to 2100 Nm. |
| Eco-friendly class | Euro-3 |
Due to the fact that the Dutch company DAF has been owned by an American automobile concern since 1996, the XF 95 model was equipped with PACCAR engines, which are quite common in North America. But at the same time, their production was mastered at the main plant in the Netherlands.
From the very beginning of production, DAF XF 95 tractors were equipped with in-line sixteen-cylinder engines. Their volume was 12.7 liters. The power of these power units varied.
History of the DAF truck brand
The history of the company, whose current motto is “Driven by quality,” began precisely thanks to quality work performed. The owner of a brewery in the Dutch city of Einhoven liked how his car was successfully repaired, and he lent the talented auto mechanic money to open his business.
Origins of the company in the early 1930s
In 1928, Hub van Doorn founded a company for mechanical repairs and production of moment carts and trailers. The workshop is located on the territory of the brewery of co-founder and investor Arnold Hugens. Soon the workshop moved to a more spacious building and increased production. It became a family business, as his brother, Wim van Doorn, began managing it together with Hub.
DAF founders: brothers Hubert (left) and Wilhelmus (right) Van Doorn
After 4 years, the company changed its name to Van Doorne's Aanhangwagen Fabriek (Van Doorne Trailer Factory), and in the abbreviated version it became known as the abbreviation DAF
DAF's own series of bonneted trucks
Thanks to the company's focus on trailers and semi-trailers, a number of innovative designs have been developed in this area. This is a lightweight chassis, automatic semi-trailer coupling system and braking system. But in the post-war period, due to a shortage of commercial vehicles, new prospects opened up for DAF.
In 1948, 2 trucks were presented to potential consumers: A-30 (with a load capacity of 3 tons) and A-50 (with a load capacity of 5 tons).
They differed from existing models by a radiator grille with 7 chrome stripes and an improved cabin design located above the engine. All 150 trucks produced during the year were successfully sold. Increased demand required expansion of production, and a new plant opened in 1950.
Following the change in profile, the DAF brand has also transformed. The company now has a recognizable logo and a new name. The emblem at that time was a circle with an image of a steering wheel in the center, around which was the inscription EINDHOVEN NEDERLAND. Above the circle was the abbreviation DAF, and on the sides were stylized wings made of parallel lines. The change of name did not affect the abbreviation in any way, but the decoding DAF - Van Doorne's Automobiel Fabriek (Van Doorne Automobile Factory) changed.
DAF emblem
The volume of assembly and production of cars increased, but the plant still did not have its own engine production. All components (diesel and gasoline engines, gearboxes, drive axles) were purchased from other organizations.
A solution to the problem was found in the winter of 1954. Hub van Doorn proposed using the belt drive used on factory cars to drive road vehicles. A year later, the first belt-driven transmission project in the history of the automotive industry was presented to the world. At the same time, a plant was opened to produce engines, first under license from Leyland, then using its own designs. The history of the DAF brand has been expanded with another achievement.
Merger with International Harvester and new horizons
In 1972, the Van Dorn brothers acquired business partners. International Harvester of Chicago bought a 33% stake in DAF (the Dutch government owned 25% at the time), creating a joint venture. Thanks to strong financial support, the company was able not only to expand production, but also to resume innovative development.
Subcompact DAF 33
In the early 70s, the DAF emblem already appeared on the bodies of several families of trucks, trailers, buses, small cars (DAF 33, 44, 55 and 66), as well as vans and pickups created on their basis. The company's engineers for the first time combined diesel turbocharging with a charge air intercooling system. In 1973, a new cargo flagship was released - the 2800 model, which featured a version of the inclined cabin by more than 20 cm and a new powerful air-cooled engine.
Truck models for the Paris-Dakar rally
Trucks in the 70s and 80s had an image of being slow. To change this image for their brand, DAF trucks participated in various races, including the Paris-Dakar rally.
The era of motorsport began in 1981 with the unsuccessful performance of the DAF 1800. But a year later, the factory team drove a 2800 hooded model equipped with a 310 hp engine. s., won the “Paris - Dakar” in the category of heavy trucks (over 10 tons). In 1983, the DAF 3300 with a cab over engine took part in the races, and for the next 5 years, racing trucks were produced exclusively on the basis of this model.
A year later, a truck with two engines (and two cabs), the total power of which was 700 hp, took part in the rally. s., which provided a maximum speed of 160 km/h. The car in 1985 was also twin-engine, but with one cabin, which reduced the weight of the car by 2 tons. It had different engines: one with a power of 420, the second with 450 hp. With. Both cars, despite improved parameters, did not achieve success.
DAF Turbo Twin
In 1986, the DAF Turbo Twin with two engines with a total power of 1000 hp claimed victory. s., capable of reaching a speed of 200 km/h, but due to a breakdown, he also retired from the race. By this time, a new version of the racing truck was on the way - Turbo Twin 2, which brought long-awaited success to the team, but already next year.
The peak of development of twin-engine racing trucks came in 1988. The company prepared 2 cars: X1 (a new project) and X2 (last year's Turbo Twin with different aerodynamics).
Thanks to the turbochargers, the total power was 1200 hp. With. However, during the race, an accident occurred with the death of the crew of one of the cars, and at the end of the rally, DAF announced its retirement from motorsport.
Standard car equipment
The standard equipment of the XF 95 tractor included the installation of a mechanical sixteen-speed ZFSevroshift gearbox. There were also several automatic transmission options - twelve and sixteen-speed ZFASTronic. The latest devices slightly increased the cost of the car, but extended the life of its engine due to the possibility of more precise gear shifting. The DAF XF 95 clutch system itself is quite expensive. In addition, the manufacturer recommended that the owners of his trucks, if it breaks down, replace the entire assembly at the same time, and not just some of its parts.
At the beginning of production of the XF 95, the manufacturer installed a drum brake system. A few years after this, it was abandoned in favor of the disk type. This was done due to the fact that the second option increased the efficiency of this unit. At the same time, it became important for drivers to avoid puddles, since water falling on a hot disk could significantly reduce its service life. Most often they were changed after a fairly significant mileage of 450 thousand kilometers. This concerned mainly only original spare parts.
The average fuel consumption of the XF 95 was about 34 liters per 100 kilometers of road. The tank was quite voluminous and roomy. The developer decided to make it with a volume of about 1000 liters, intended for diesel fuel.
Everything for comfort
If you pay attention to the comfort of the interior, you will immediately notice the presence of a gear shift knob, which cannot be folded if necessary, as is provided in some cars of other brands. This detail is not essential, but it interferes with the driver’s passage to the berth.
The XF 95's cabin lounge area was quite comfortable. This allowed the driver to have a good rest from being behind the wheel for a long time. This possibility concerned two types of cabins:
- SpaceCab. The height of the space inside this structure was 1885 millimeters. At the same time, the driver did not feel constrained, being able to walk to the berth. Don't try to get to him.
- SuperSpaceCab. The maximum height of the internal space was 2255 millimeters. Such dimensions made it possible not only to feel comfortable, but also to easily warm up after the trip.
The bottom bunk of the bed was 2030x810 millimeters, and the top was 1910x600 or 2050x700 millimeters. In addition, this relaxation space made it possible to install some devices and hide things in spacious drawers.
Characteristics of the XF 105
The next model of the DAF truck tractor was the XF 105, which, in comparison with other vehicles of this type, was characterized by the following features:
- low operating costs;
- good safety record;
- high degree of reliability;
- maximum comfort of use;
- ease of control.
The manufacturer, while developing a new model, decided to first of all pay attention to its safety. In view of this, the design of the door windows has changed, which has become a single piece. In addition, the rear-view mirrors have been arranged in such a way as to provide free space for a direct view. Their configuration did not leave the possibility of blind spots.
The standard type of DAF XF 105 truck tractor was equipped with a directional stability system aimed at preventing the possibility of throwing and folding. The cabin interior was equipped with a cruise control system. Safety has also been enhanced by a frontal collision system.
The XF 105's cab suspension has been designed to absorb mechanically generated energy. The structure was significantly strengthened, which was primarily evident in the areas of the most common deformations. This made it possible to ensure that the cabin remained on the chassis even in the event of a collision with another vehicle.
The exterior of the tractor has also changed slightly. The elegant appearance was ensured by some reconstruction of the front end. In order to improve lighting and reduce costs, the manufacturer decided to use a whole system of LED lamps.
In the interior, DAF decided to implement new standards that ensure convenience, comfort and ergonomics. The interior space, according to driver reviews, is used as correctly as possible.
Details about the DAF XF 105 tractor
The new DAF XF 105 tractor unit is equipped with the new PACCAR XM engine. Its volume is 12.9 liters, and its power is from 410 to 510 horsepower with a torque ranging from 2100 to 2500 Nm. The crankshaft rotation speed ranges from 1000 to 1410 rpm. The power unit fully complies with EURO-5 and EEV standards. In order to reduce the frequency and cost of engine maintenance, the manufacturer used a great variety of components that do not require replacement of the units where they are used.
Different configurations of the DAF XF 105 have different gearboxes. The developer offers a twelve- or sixteen-speed manual device, or an automatic AS-Tronic. The new car is equipped with two types of axles: a hypoid drive axle or a drive axle with wheel reduction gears for operation in difficult road conditions.
The gearbox was equipped with FaktShift and Ecorol systems. They are designed to allow the driver to operate the vehicle more smoothly. In addition, such mechanisms can slightly reduce fuel costs. The design of the units is additionally aimed at reducing carbon emissions into the environment, which ensures compliance with environmental standards.
The DAF XF 105 transmission system has been developed in a unique way. This was due to the use of the Intarder 3 retarder. It was not used on other units of the company and other manufacturers. Its role was to provide constant braking force even when the clutch was engaged. This also provided an additional degree of stability, which was primarily reflected in the movement from the mountain.
The standard XF 105 model has a 4x2 chassis. But at the same time, the manufacturer will provide the opportunity to choose other options. The 6x2 model range is especially popular. This is due to very high maneuverability in rather cramped conditions. Modifications with a wheelbase of 6×4, 8×2 and 8×4 were also produced. They are less common among buyers.
DAF launches new range of XF, XG and XG+ trucks
DAF has released a new line of trucks.
DAF has released a new line of trucks that meets the latest European weight and dimensions regulations. The new XF, XG and XG+ trucks offer the highest quality, improved fuel efficiency, a full range of passive and active safety features and a new level of luxury design.
Design quality
The new trucks feature a premium cab design with a 160mm front end extension for industry-leading aerodynamics and safety. The DAF XG and XG+ create a new premium market segment and offer 330 mm of additional space in the rear cab, which should improve driver comfort.
New DAF trucks use only the finest materials: lightweight, high-strength steel for the cab structure, high-quality materials and leather for the interior, and energy-efficient LED lighting. When creating new models, special attention was paid to modern low and high beam headlights. The new generation of DAF trucks has been developed with an emphasis on Six Sigma quality. The vehicles have been tested for more than 20 million km and meet DAF's strict quality standards.
Optimized efficiency
The new generation of DAF trucks is reported to improve fuel efficiency by 10% while reducing CO2 emissions. This is made possible by using computational fluid dynamics to create an ideal aerodynamic cabin shape with large radii, a curved windshield, excellent sealing, digital cameras instead of mirrors and optimized airflow from the engine and under the cabin.
The vehicle's record-breaking efficiency is enhanced by the introduction of new PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines, intelligent aftertreatment systems, low vehicle weight, standard TraXon automatic transmission and advanced driver assistance systems. In addition, for the first time in the industry, service intervals have increased to 200 thousand km or once a year.
Increased security
The new cab design features a large windshield and large side windows, giving the driver unrivaled line of sight. A curbside view window is available as an option and, in combination with the folding co-driver seat, provides an unobstructed view of pedestrians and cyclists.
Another innovation is the DAF Digital Camera system, which can replace the main and wide-angle mirrors. DAF Corner View provides maximum visibility of the area around the A-pillar from the co-driver's side. All vehicle lighting now includes full LED technology for optimal visibility and visibility.
The DAF philosophy of “Hands on the wheel, eyes on the road” ensures class-leading ergonomics. All driving-related functions are controlled from the steering wheel and steering column switches. Non-essential functions are controlled via physical switches logically located on the dashboard within the driver's reach.
Luxury and driver comfort
The new generation XF, XG and XG+ offers a new level of driver comfort. The driver's seat, interior space, sleeping comfort, finishing - everything is at the highest level. The DAF XG+ has a cabin volume of 12.5 m3, which is 14% more than the current industry benchmark, the DAF XF Super Space Cab. The new cab has an unprecedented range of seat and steering column adjustment, and the driver and co-driver seats can be rotated to a comfortable position.
DAF continues its legacy as the manufacturer of the best sleepers in the industry. In all models, the length of the berth is 2,220 mm, while in the XG and XG+ models the width along the entire length is 800 mm. For optimal support for the head, back and legs while relaxing, the DAF Relax Bed is available with a mechanical or electrically adjustable bed.
Modern LED lighting is adjustable in brightness and color. The fully integrated Park Airco system is available as an option on the XG+ for automatic cabin cooling and heating even when the engine is switched off.
A significant contribution to the exceptional comfort is the exemplary ride and handling characteristics, which are achieved through a new front chassis design, a new cab suspension and a new rear axle suspension design.
