In 2007 DAF repeated the formula adopted by the original 95XF to win the 1998 International Truck of the Year (IToY) competition – a new engine and revised cab with sufficient vehicles in operational service to underwrite the judge’s decision.
The DAF XF105 was the very definition of an evolutionary design, being the product of operator feedback and legislative requirements to retain its position amongst Europe’s elite. A development of 2002’s XF95, the XF105 was unveiled at Amsterdam’s RAI show in October 2005.
The cab received a significant makeover of the interior with a 150mm-lower engine tunnel, new trim and storage, a new steering wheel, and a new dash display. Controls for the optional AS-Tronic automated transmission were incorporated into the steering column with auto-selector re-positioned to the dash, whilst the gearstick for the manual gearbox could be folded-away. The under-bunk pull-out draw and fridge, the pulley system to raise the top bunk, and the bunk’s fold-down steps also won approval.
Externally, the new DAF benefited from more generous mirrors, with a 50mm increase in width being offered with the new four-piece arrangement. The previous mirror arrangement had been identified by drivers as insufficient, and the new set-up featured an aerodynamic design and the option of colour-coding.
The lower grille was restyled so that it extended further into the bumper to afford greater airflow, and an aluminium strip was added to the top of it to indicate compliance with Euro-4/5 emission standards. The new bumper design featured optional cat’s-eye combi lights and Xenon headlamps. The upper-grille also received a make-over with cleaner lines being introduced.
Super Space Cab models came with an entirely revised, and slightly higher, roofline with a more-streamlined profile into which optional “skylight” halogen spotlights could be integrated.
The onset of Euro-4 emissions standards led to the introduction of the new 12.9-litre MX engine which was a 4-valve-per-cylinder design with a compound graphite iron block. The 6-cylinder engine featured a one-piece head with integrated inlet manifold, and the oil filter, thermostat and cooler were integrated into a single lubrication module. The MX was claimed to have 25% fewer parts than its 12.6-litre predecessor and relied on selective catalytic reduction leading to the re-positioning of the air tanks inside the chassis rails to make space for the AdBlue tanks.
Surprisingly, the MX engine was rated at either 410hp, 460hp or 510hp, being a 20hp reduction on the outgoing models, but this was countered by an improved torque of 2,000Nm, 2,300Nm or 2,500Nm which was available between 1,000rpm and 1,400rpm, and greatly improved the efficiency of the optional engine brake. With synthetic oil and a centrifugal filter, service intervals were extended to 150,000km.
The new DAF won the 2007 IToY with 86 points, knocking the Renault Premium Route into second position on 61, and the Volvo FL into third spot on 31. At the time of the award presentation at Hannover’s IAA in September 2006, over 12,500 XF105s had already been sold.
Words & Pics Richard Stanier – Credit IToY
