On The Road
Ever since Daf sorted out the original 95 Series’ chassis and cab suspension when it was reborn as the XF, it’s been a pleasure to drive, and the 6x2 FTG is no exception in terms of overall handling. Its ride isn’t as soft as an R Series or Actros, but the Super Spacecab’s roll stability remains surprisingly good for such a tall tractor, inspiring plenty of confidence around switchbacks and tight turns. The FTG’s steering is pretty neutral too: it goes where you point it and stays there without being too light.
We’ve probably been spoilt lately by driving all-disc EBS artic outfits (Daf’s test trailer had drums) as the initial feel on the XF95’s foot brake seemed to need a bit more of a shove. Its track braking distances are pretty much on par with the other ‘true’ 44-tonner in our test group, the Iveco Stralis 540, though the Daf took longer to stop from 40mph.
Out on the road we couldn’t fault the XF95’s overall stopping power, helped by its optional ZF Intarder and Daf’s own (Jake-type) DEB engine brake. Together they provide up to 965hp of extra braking power. Unless you deliberately switch it out, the Intarder is ‘blended’ into the footbrake and comes in progressively as you press down.
There’s also a downhill speed control: on reaching your required terminal velocity just push in the collar on the column stalk and the retarder automatically holds you to it. Perfect for long hills with a Gatso at the bottom. What’s more, the downhill limiter doesn’t cancel the cruise control.
For sheer braking confidence it’s hard to fault the Intarder/DEB combination although the price-tag is an eye-watering £5130. In fact unless you’re currently re-lining your brakes every other month the Intarder is probably more a “would-like” compared with the DEB’s “should have”. When you use DEB with AS-Tronic it automatically selects the lowest gear for maximum back pressure without blowing the cylinder head off.
For those still wary of auto boxes we’ll just say we can’t remember the last time we were given a 44-tonner for test that didn’t have one. Trust us, the manufacturers wouldn’t be putting them up for test, especially when fuel economy is such a major factor, if they didn’t deliver more than a manual, and the AS-Tronic is no exception. Daf’s version still allows driver intervention although on normal roads it’s seldom needed (and in town you won’t want to anyway). The only time we indulged in a bit of DIY was on the up and down cross-country section of the A69 where we down-shifted early for approaching gradients. But on the really nasty hill climbs on the A68 we deliberately reverted to full auto and left AS-Tronic to do its stuff. And why not? We’ve yet to find a manual box (or manual driver for that matter) that can beat it for sheer shift-speed and auto intelligence – especially on a 14% slope.
It’s also amazing how the ZF auto block shifts up and down while keeping the rev-counter needle plumb on the XR engine’s 1,400rpm sweet spot. With a bit of judicious feathering of the right foot you can also encourage up-shifts and safe fuel.
Finally, there’s nothing more tiring than a day in a noisy truck – but we’ve never had to level that criticism at the XF. A quick glance at the comparison chart shows why we think it’s the perfect rig for silent running.
Cab Comfort
Whatever we don’t like about the current XF95 cab, hopefully, Daf has fixed in the new model. Either way we’ll know when it appears next month. However, our spies at Daf tell us the greatest changes are inside. Just as well, because this is where the current model is showing a distinct lack of creature comforts.
It’s not that it isn’t driver friendly; quite the opposite thanks to the supportive, in fact luxurious, driving seat and excellent storage space spread throughout the cabin. It’s just that its interior trim is too much like a (ahem) ‘fleet motor’. Nothing wrong with that either, but this, after all, is Daf’s flagship tractor.
So where are all the extras that everyone else puts in their range-topping models? Sorry, but the odd leather steering wheel, aluminium-look dash inserts and loose carpets over the tough rubber floor and engine cover don’t hack it. In a 350hp Super Spacecab XF95 we expect to be pampered – otherwise why not buy a CF85 Spacecab and save some money?
All of which leads us to the optional Alpine package on our test truck, which includes a shed-load of stuff like a full aero kit, immobiliser/alarm, and an AV package to challenge your local multiplex cinema. If you’re a long-haul driver looking for the ultimate entertainment system you’ll relish the six-speaker CD/DCD player (the screen pops down from the central overhead locker); Sat-Nav; and media station/radio receiver complete with pop-out screen in the dash. Whether you’ll relish it enough to shell out £7,500 for the Alpine pack is up to you.
Mind you by the time the pop-out screen popped out for the umpteenth time (it’s activated by the key) and we’d sent it back into its hole again the novelty had worn thin. For some reason the left-hand indicator muted the speakers (not sure why) and in the end we were happy to leave it turned off.# Daf also needs to make the Driver Information Panel display a bit more readable as the smaller orange on black symbols (e.g. the cruise control indicator) aren’t easy to see in sunlight. Otherwise the dash is very well laid out with clear dials and gauges – so don’t change them!
