Not content with having a stonking great share of the middleweight truck, Daf has only gone and tweaked its popular LF to make it... Err... More popular, with interior revisions and a new engine options. The latest 'Edition 2009' versions of the LF chassis - built at the Leyland Trucks' plant in Lancashire (cue land of Hope and Glory) roll off the line in July and should ensure an even higher levels of driver comfort and fuel efficiency.
Speaking of which, the pressure within the common-rail injection system of the LF's 4.5-litre, four-cylinder PACCAR FR and the 6.7-litre, six-cylinder PACCAR GR engines (you'll also know them as the Cummins ISBE four and six-pots) has been increased from 1600 to 1800 bar. The engine ECU has also been updated while inside the block you'll find redesigned pistons - for better combustion - which in turn, says Daf, "...results in a continued improvement in fuel efficiency." Now click through here for more...
For those operators looking for a bit more go there's now an extra 210hp version of the four-pot FR engine, which joins the previous line-up at Euro-5 at 140,160 and 185hp. Likewise the six-pot GR has an extra 300hp rating for the 18-tonne LF55 chassis at Euro-5 with other ratings of 224, 250 and 285hp. Equally important, is the fact that neither engine range requires a soot filter in order to comply with the strict requirement of 0.03 grams per kW/hour for Euro 5. What's more all four-cylinder LF engines are available in an EEV chassis without a soot filter too.
Inside the LF's cabin has gained new trim materials and a revised colour scheme. The new seats have luxurious embossed upholstery, which improves the seating comfort. Meanwhile, as befits a truck that's sold across Europe and other countries the number of languages in which vehicle and journey information is given on the main display on the dashboard has been increased by 21, bringing the total to 35! So you can employ the United Nations to drive it! Moreover, all LF models are also fitted as standard with a system that warns the driver when the pressure in one of the tyres is too low.
To wrap it all up with pink ribbon there are new chassis options - models with six cylinder engines now are available with a new engine PTO with a torque of 400 Nm which a refrigeration block generator is also available on the six-pot LF. For fuel tankers, there's a box-shaped exhaust silencer available as an option, mounted on the chassis in such a way that space is created for the installation of the distributor pump and fittings. As this silencer leads to a higher ground clearance, it should also appeal to tippermen too.
Last but not least the LF's load-sensing brake regulator is electronically controlled in order to achieve better brake distribution and reduce maintenance while the new unitised wheel bearings of the LF45 are also virtually maintenance-free.
Hi Brian.I've noticed daf have employed the smallest person they could to drive there awfull Daf lf,it is the most uncomfortable rigid cab i have ever had the un-fortunate pleasure to drive and not even a lumbar support in the drivers seat,how you can improve comfort with just alltering the seat material is beyond me!Note in Daf's list of things to improve... must do better next time!
There is something not right with the sun visor in the top picture. They must have photoshopped it on, but didn't do a very good job as it looks silly. It is sitting far too high and like this is of no use. Why did they bother?