DAF Trucks introduce its urban solution for operators facing mandatory changes to delivering in the urban environment, writes Stevie Walker. TIMES ARE challenging for urban transport operations, the list of stumbling blocks which must be negotiated before you can turn a wheel in many of our cities is ever increasing. TFL, DVS, FORS, CLOCS, LEZ, and now ULEZ (see sidebar); the list goes on and the demands on operators are plentiful.
Trucks have never been less welcome in our cities whilst at the same time consumer appetites for goods are insatiable, which creates a kind of ‘if you must come in, wipe your feet and don’t touch anything’ attitude.
The show must go on though and the industry keeps evolving, ploughing its way through the red tape and getting the job done despite everything.
Attracting drivers to urban delivery work is another tough challenge too, a far cry from the image of the open road in a flash tractor unit, the reality is instead traffic jams, exhaust fumes, parking tickets and the need to have eyes on the back of your head during a typical stressful day delivering in our cities.
Not an altogether attractive prospect in a time when there appears to be an abundance of job vacancies out there. What will it take to make the urban distribution sector a little more appealing for everyone; operators, drivers, legislators and the general public alike?
DAF Trucks might just have the answer in its latest offering for the urban and construction sector, the XD range.
The manufacturer unveiled the new generation XD range at the IAA show in Hannover, Germany in September 2022. Based on the same platform as the 2022 International Truck of the Year and Transport News Top Truck Award 2023 winner, the DAF XG, the XD has since gone on to scoop International Truck of the Year for 2023 earning the accolade through improvements in safety, efficiency and driver comfort.
DOWN SOUTH
A letter arrived at the Lockerbie office of Lochmaben Transport inviting me to go to DAF’s Aylesbury headquarters, which allowed me to get behind the wheel and experience first-hand an example of the range to see for myself why it is held in such high esteem.
The towns and hamlets surrounding DAF’s HQ have narrow streets and bustling town centres, perfect proving ground to put our test vehicle through its paces.
The truck in question is the DAF XD 4×2 Low Sleeper with MX11 450hp engine complete with a tandem axle rear steer Krone urban delivery trailer.
My first impression of the XD in the now familiar Tuscan Yellow is that it looks much too nice for urban work. The day sleeper, a much less imposing cab, is perhaps not as striking as the XG but it is none the less still a real head turner, aided of course by the colour coded side skirts and gleaming alloy wheels.
When the supermarkets get a hold of the XD and strip it back to its most basic form it will still be a decent looking truck, but it is nice to see it in its ‘going out’ clobber.
There is a lot going on with the XD exterior, it shares the same aerodynamic features with its larger sibling; curved windscreen, ellipse-shaped corner panels, tapered side wall and extensive air sealing are some of the design features driving the improvements in fuel economy and carbon reduction.
The large exterior lockers on either side are a vast improvement on the old CF model, which had the small aperture locker, which was frustratingly only on the passenger side and the difficult access always meant things were crammed in. It gave the truck equivalent look of a ‘man drawer’.
Entry to the XD cab could not be made much easier, there has been much thought put into the design, as wide opening doors give way to two-step access on the easy entry distribution model.
A staircase effect eliminates any shin bashing combined with two well placed handles and low kerbside height allowing you to almost walk into the cab, if you clamber in and out of the cab 50 times a day you are going to appreciate these design touches.
INNER WORKINGS
Once your backside is placed on the stylish and extremely comfortable driver’s seat, you are graced with a slightly slimmed down version of the XG dashboard designed using the same mixture of soft touch materials and leather.
The XD shares much of the same equipment levels as its larger siblings with full size fridge, large touchscreen infotainment and navigation system, digital dash display with a range of screen displays and leather multi-function steering wheel. The wide range of steering and seating adjustment offers a fantastic driving position and switchgear is positioned exactly where it should be.
Nights out are not normally a prerequisite in the distribution sector, but the sleeper now offers a multitude of flat surfaces, enough storage and living space for the odd night away and I don’t think a full week would cause much suffering if required.
The level of comfort in this cab is no accident, it has been designed from the ground up with the driver in mind and the results are astonishing.
STREET VIEW
On the road, the comfort levels continue to impress as you realise just how quiet the XD is, with the wind noise greatly reduced thanks to extensive door sealing, optimised cab shape and the lack of mirrors with DAF’s Digital Vision System (DDVS) as well as the Corner View system that replaces the close proximity and cyclops mirrors.
It’s a smooth ride and the steering is relaxed yet precise giving a great sense of control on some of the faster corners. Progress is effortless with the 450hp M11 engine combined with ZF’s latest Traxon 12-speed gearbox software and the footbrake is all but redundant with the strong MX engine brake.
The natural controls and driving position help to create a stress-free environment allowing you to concentrate fully on the road ahead. The M11 engine is on top of the game with more than enough grunt on tap for this type of operation, especially responsive with the quick and decisive smooth changing gearbox, giving you a helping hand on busy roundabouts and junctions.
The XD cab offers best in class visibility with the combination of curved windscreen, low belt line, which is effectively a much lower dashboard, the Kerb View Window (KVW) on the passenger door and the combination of the DDVS and Corner View.
Together, the view offered gives you confidence that you are not missing anything as you make your way through busy town centres, again helping to take some of the stress out of the job.
This XD fitted with KVW, DDVS and Corner View receives a four star DVS (Direct Vision Standard) rating increasing to five stars when combined with the robust, protruding front ‘bumper’, encouraging pedestrians away from the front of the cab and into the drivers view when crossing in front of the vehicle.
It is a simple but effective answer to an all too common and often fatal mistake. The only downside of this type of bumper is a 2% fuel penalty as it disturbs some of the aerodynamics.
The passenger seat must also be folded up in order for the KVW to be effective. DDVS takes a couple of minutes to get used to but does give excellent rear and quarter view information doing its best to eliminate blind spots.
It also pans out on corners giving a much better view of the trailer.
Other safety features offered on the XD are a new electronic parking brake, emergency brake lights and a low-speed trailer brake, which activates the hand brake when the doors are opened in a bid to eliminate vehicles running away when hitching up trailers.
SUMMING UP
My initial reaction on seeing the XD was that it seemed far too special for the distribution sector. On reflection this seems a little harsh.
There is no reason an urban delivery driver shouldn’t be awarded the same luxuries enjoyed by other sectors of the haulage industry. Time spent in city traffic would be much more bearable sat on a luxury seat whilst streaming music on a state-of-the-art infotainment system.
The distribution sector is now demanding this type of vehicle not only to attract drivers to an unattractive job, but also to appease the demands of the many governing bodies focused on improving the safety of our cities for pedestrians and road users alike. With this in mind the XD ticks all of the boxes.
I can find very little to complain about with the XD, even the DDVS, which I have to be honest I’m not a massive fan of, but it works pretty well in an urban environment and the Corner View system is excellent.
The remote central locking key, however, has been carried over from the previous generation and still requires a snipers aim to unlock the doors.
The truck, when combined with the rear steer urban trailer, is a delight to drive in busy traffic. The trailer is tucked in so well it requires very little attention and, with the XD, is designed for this environment.
Overall, the whole experience is stress free, just how it should be. If DAF Trucks could just figure out a way to get the customers to grab their own parcels from the trailer, it could be the perfect job!
