DAF’s third win came with the LF distribution range, proving – like the Mercedes-Benz Atego three years before it – that the IToY judges were not star-struck by flagship trucks when the right proposition came along.
The LF was launched at the Brussels Show in January 2001 as a replacement for the 45 and 55 Series, and owed its victory to the driveability of the range with quality ride and handling, the in-cab layout which compared well to heavier classes of vehicles, good manoeuvrability for distribution, and the flexibility of the new Cummins ISBe engines.
The judges awarded 87 points to the little DAF, ahead of the new Volvo FH12 500 on 80 points, and the Renault Magnum on 29. DAF also scored a fourth place with the revised CF models.
Whilst the out-going 45 Series had been very successful in Britain and the Benelux countries, the new LF was designed as part of DAF’s stated intent to secure 15% of the European market for vehicles of 6 tonnes and over.
The design engineers were presented with a “clean sheet” opportunity for the new models, and the resulting range was produced in close association with outside suppliers, both old and new.
Essentially a 6- to 18-tonne range, with 6×2 rigids up to 21 tonnes and tractor units up to 28 tonnes, the LFs were powered by either 4 or 6-cylinder Cummins engines, which were rebranded as the Paccar BE and Paccar CE respectively. The 4-cylinder 3.9-litre unit was rated at 135hp, 150hp or 167hp and was adopted due to the difficulties of achieving Euro-3 emission standards with lower-powered 6-cylinder engines. The 5.9-litre 6-cylinder engine was rated at 185hp, 220hp or 250hp. The new engines were developed by Cummins as part of the European Engine Alliance with New Holland and Iveco, with DAF having input into the development of its versions.
Cab options were dictated by anticipated production volumes, and the choices were to design a brand-new cab, to scale down the CF cab, or to collaborate with another manufacturer, with the final option winning the day by arrangement with Renault.
The LF cab enjoyed distinctly different styling to differentiate itself from the Renault Midlum, but the cabs were supplied in fully trimmed form from the French manufacturer, with both DAF and RVI sharing ownership of the design and tooling.
Models of 6.2 up to 12 tonnes GVW were designated LF45 and had the lowest mounted cab. The LF55 was fitted with 19.5in wheels in 12- to 15-tonne form, with the tallest LF being the LF55 18-tonner on 22.5in wheels. Disc braking was employed on each axle, but DAF refrained from electronic operation claiming it was unnecessary at these weights.
The driveline was completed with a choice of ZF 5- or 6-speed manual gearboxes or an Eaton 9-speed ‘box with the more powerful engines, each driving Albion rear axles. The “Light Forte” certainly earned its place in transport history with 238,700 examples being produced in a near 23-year production run.
Words & Pics supplied by Richard Stanier – Credit IToY
