Road Tests: DAF 95XF 530

Testing the 6x2 Daf 95XF 530 with the Super Space Cab is something of a treat for us at CM – but wait, what’s this? Rumour has it that the 6x2 has already had its day and will eclipsed by the 4x2’s renaissance. Truck dealers are predicting that in the coming year many operators will be moving away from three-axle tractors and back to 4x2s, encouraged by the government’s latest tax incentives and revamped VED rates. But for now, at least, three-axle rigs rule the roost. Latest sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggest a five-to-two sales ratio in their favour, and the new 44-tonne limit should consolidate this demand. A good thing too, because the orange-liveried 6x2 Daf 95XF350 Super Space Cab certainly deserves a wide audience. We were also keep to test another Euro-3 engine, especially following the good results achieved by Scania’s Euro-3 6x2 164.580 (CM 5-11 Oct 2000). Daf has developed solid, hard-working products right up to this very orange 530hp Super Space Cab, and it still has the new CF range waiting in the wings.

The 95 has been Daf’s flagship motor for some years now. The mid-lift 6x2 comes with the 12.6-litre XE 530 engine delivering 1,733Nm of torque across its green band (1,000-1,500rpm) – and it’s ready for Euro-3. Many manufacturers are starting to include Euro-3 engines in their line-ups; Iveco has taken the lead with an all-Euro-3 range for 2001. The engine weighs 450kg less than its 14-litre Euro-2 Cummins predecessor, and it makes 24-valve technology available up to 530hp. Daf says its extra torque makes for fewer gearshifts and better fuel economy; a claim we were looking forward to testing on the hilly A68 section of our Scottish test route. This version of the straight-six turbo-diesel produces its maximum power at 1,900rpm; its 430 and 480 stablemates peak out at 2,000rpm. Once again the familiar name of ZF appears on the spec sheet, with this Daf relying on the same 16-speed synchromesh gearbox as MAN’s TG-A. It comes with overdrive and the very efficient Daf Engine Brake (DEB) as standard. Our test truck also sported the optional cruise control which adds a modest £110 to the bottom line. A number of other options are available for the 12.6-litre engine at 430hp and 480hp; tractor choices run to a 4x2, 6x2s with twin-steer or tag axles and a 6x4, with 4x2 and 6x2 rigids for drawbar applications.

Daf’s flagship romped over the demanding hills of the A68, as you’d expect with 530hp on tap, and it was remarkably thrifty with an overall fuel consumption figure of 7.51mpg. This beat Scania’s Euro-3 6x2 R164 580, which returned 7.46mpg, and Volvo’s Euro-2 6x2 FH12 460 at 7.33mpg. Likewise, MAN’s Euro-2 TG-A 460 FLT XXL did even better with 7.75mpg, but that was a 460hp 4x2 running a tonne lighter than the Daf. A number of factors will have affected the Daf’s fuel returns. As we travelled north during the first two days of the test strong wind and rain combined with a falling temperature to redistribute streams of water from recently flooded roads to the hedges and oncoming traffic. To counter this in some measure we had near perfect grey tranquillity on the final day, with no less than 20 minutes of sunlight at Consett. We also used Daf’s M&G box trailer with aerodynamics instead of CM’s standard Tautliner test trailer normally used on these occasions. Price for the basic model is £94,940, compared with £84,857 for the Scania R164 580hp and £89,160 for the Volvo FH12 460. With its optional extras our test truck climbed even closer to that magic £100,000 mark, and even self indulgent owner drivers are bound to think hard about spending that sort of money. The tractor weighs in at a hefty 8.6 tonnes, still slightly lighter than Scania’s R164 which tips the scales at 8.9 tonnes (giving the Daf a little extra payload at 25,400kg).