Road Test: DAF XDC & XFC
DAF's new construction range aims to bring its vocational trucks in line with its latest XD, XF, XG and XG+. We tried out an XDC and XFC at an on-road and quarry driving event in Holland. DAF has been riding high since the launch of its New Generation of XD, XF, XG and XG+ trucks, boasting a packed order book and record market share in the UK and across Europe despite setbacks caused by the pandemic.
And now, the Dutch manufacturer has added a new range of XDC and XFC models targeting off-road and construction jobs. Available with single or double drive, XDC and XFC can be spec'd as 8x4 or 6x4 - and for the first time, there's also a 4x2 option. A switchable hydraulic front-wheel drive system (PXP) can be fitted to 4x2 models if work occasionally requires extra traction to tackle ditches, sandy roads, unpaved tip sites and steep inclines.
It kicks in if slip is detected on the driven wheels, though it'll add 500kg to overall vehicle weight (and an extra wedge on the purchase price, obviously). XDC/XFC 6x4 and 8x4 FAT and FAD rigid models (plus 6x4 FTT tractor units) can be taken with a choice of double-drive tandems, starting with the 19-tonne lightweight tandem with single reduction (SR1132T), leaf spring suspension and either disc or drum brakes. For heavier work, there's 21- and 26-tonne versions of the SR1360T single-reduction tandem with disc brakes and air suspension.
Finally, for the heaviest off-road jobs, DAF is offering a 21- and 26-tonne tandem with hub reduction (HR1670T) with air or leaf spring suspension, plus drum brakes. DAF says a wide range of rear axle ratios can also be spec'd, all the way from 3.46:1 to 7.21:1 if max traction and reduced speed is your jam. The new models have a unique exterior look which includes a tough steel front bumper (lava grey as standard or body colour as an option).
Its three-piece build should keep costs down if sections need replacing. A pair of 'maintenance-free' LED fog lights are set into the bumper. The Construction range wears a signature black front grille and steel radiator protection plate for added front-end protection.
Chassis have also been tweaked to give an approach angle of 25 degrees and ground clearance of up to 40 cm depending on axles and tyres. A swing step can be added as an option to help with the climb up to the cab.
Driveline options
XDC and XFC can be taken with PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines, with the former ranging from 300-450hp and the latter 370-530hp. TraXon automated transmissions are standard and an Off-road mode is an option.
DAF is also offering an ASR Off mode for tackling slippery surfaces, and a Rock Free mode for getting out of sticky situations. A wide range of PTOs can be spec'd for driving tippers, mixers and cranes etc. The trucks can be fitted with DAF's Electronic Park Brake.
New this year is Park Brake Assist, which can be turned on when the parking brake is applied to also stick on the service brakes on all axles, instead of just the driven axle, to make extra sure the vehicle stays put during loading/unloading etc. Pushing the brake pedal can increase the maximum braking power when Park Brake Assist is active. The whole lot is deactivated once the parking brake is released.
Safety features include the large windscreen and door windows as seen on DAF's other new models, ultra-low beltlines, and optional Kerb View Window and foldable passenger seat. Additional side and rear windows can also be added. All new-gen models can be spec'd with DAF's Digital Vision System to replace main and wide-angle mirrors.
Plus, their Corner View wide-angle camera can show a 285-degree view or the area around the near-side A-pillar. City Turn Assist can also alert drivers when it detects other road users in the nearside blindspot.
XDC FAD mixer
T&D had the opportunity to try out the new vehicles at a launch event in Holland. Although many of the available trucks were European spec, there were a few that were close to UK-spec that would do as a taster.
Our first drive was in an XDC 8x4 FAD with Liebherr concrete mixer configured to combine a tough cab with high approach angle and a lightweight chassis to boost payload. It was packing a 450hp MX-11 Euro 6 engine pushing out 2350Nm at 900-1125rpm, and TraXon 12-speed automated 'box with Off-road mode. Wheelbase was 5.05m and rear axle ratio was 4.10.
It was running on 7.1-tonne 167N front axles with parabolic suspension, 19-tonne SR1132T tandem rear axles and 315/80R22.5 tyres. Sadly DAF was only offering a short on-road drive, so these are just our first impressions. We've driven the new-gen XD, XF and XG/XG+ before and there are lots of similarities with the XDC Day cab.
More interior space means drivers have a much wider range of seat and steering wheel adjustment. Standing 6ft 4in tall, we sometimes find it hard to get comfy in a day cab. But not with this one - there's room to spare in the XDC.
Day cabs come with extended interior space as standard with enough room for storage behind the seats, and ours had an optional central fridge (fitted longways across back wall to free up space) and upgraded bass woofer behind the passenger seat. A third seat can be fitted if required, and other options include vinyl wall trim and seat covers for easier cleaning. But this being a press test truck, ours had Xtra Leather Air driver's seat and all the bells and whistles.
The digital dash is controlled via buttons on the steering wheel and stalks, plus there are physical switches on the console for secondary functions. DAF's Vision dashboard has a steep downward slant away from the driver to improve line of sight, and it does seem to make a difference. We were rocking standard glass mirrors, though a Corner View camera was installed with a screen on the nearside A-pillar to open up the blindspot around the cab.
Once fired up, we first hit 'Turtle' mode via the right-hand stalk button to give it a go when pulling away. It tops out at 5 kmh/1100 rpm and can be handy for low-speed manoeuvring. Once out of the (random) Snow Zone car park, we were onto a mix of A-road and motorway for about 20 minutes of driving.
As we were grossing 13 tonnes empty, the 450hp engine barely broke a sweat on the flat Dutch highways and there wasn't much opportunity to give the three-stage MX Engine Brake a thorough test, though it needed the odd dab of the service brakes when approaching junctions. At one roundabout, DAF's Corner View enabled us to spot an approaching cyclist in plenty of time, meaning we could brake well before he crossed straight over the roundabout exit at full pelt, right in front of us. Nutter.
The XDC gave a very comfortable ride and we had no issues at all with the TraXon gearbox, which we left in Eco mode for our highway cruise. It's also pretty quiet in the cab, so we could have a good natter with our co-driver without having to shout.
XFC FAD tipper
Next, we headed to a nearby quarry to try out an XFC FAD 8x4 tipper with the biggest MX-13 530hp engine delivering 2700Nm of torque. Loaded to 33 tonnes, it was riding on 9-tonne front axles and a 26-tonne hub-reduction tandem axle (max GVW is 44 tonnes for this truck in the Netherlands).
Diffs were locked and Off-road software was on. It had an Electronic Park Brake and Park Brake Assist clamping all eight wheels. This time we had a rough quarry track to follow and a hill to climb.
Riding on steel suspension, things got bouncy as we twisted through numerous stone piles but the view down into the pit from the taller XFC cab was spectacular, with different coloured stratas of stone lining the quarry walls. Climbing the curving track up the steep hill, the truck hung onto fourth most of the way up and the Off-road software made a quick shift when it was time to move up a notch without losing momentum. The latest TraXon 'box has come a long way and there's no need to spec a manual for tipper work now - which is just as well, as DAF is no longer offering them as an option.
Cresting the hill (jokingly referred to by our co-driver as one of the highest in the Netherlands), we got a bit more use out of the MX Engine Brake on the way back down. Once flicked into fourth, stage two was more than enough to hold things steady until we reached the bottom. Back at base, a storm was approaching and heavy rain was about to fall, which would have made the clay tracks much more interesting.
Maybe we'll get lucky with that next time.
Full tandem options
Alongside launching the XDC and XFC, DAF has also made its full tandem range available for new-gen 6x4 and 8x4 XD, XF, XG and XG+ models that mainly do on-road work.
6x4 and 8x4 FAT and FAD rigids can be spec'd as XD and XF with day, sleeper and high sleeper cabs.
6x4 FTT tractor units can be taken as XG and XG+, as can 8x4 FAW tridem rigids with steered trailing axle. An 8x4 FTM heavy-duty tractor option with steered pusher axle is also available in XF, XG and XG+ form for GVWs up to 120-plus tonnes.
Extra Robust
Launched alongside the Construction trucks is a new Extra Robust spec for XD and XF, aimed at construction and municipal operations that do not need off-road chops such as extra ground clearance and large approach angles, but do need some extra toughness. Chassis are the same as on-road XD and XF, but the trucks also carry a three-piece steel bumper, standard radiator protection plate and steel Front Underrun Protection.
Stars in their eyes
Soon, trucks will need a three-star DVS rating to enter London.
XDC FAD 8x4 chassis can achieve three stars if spec'd with DAF's Digital Vision System, Corner View, Vision dash, Kerb View Window with Cinema passenger seat, 167N front axles and 295/80 or 315/80 tyres. XD can achieve a rating of up to five stars by fitting a Kerb View Window, digital mirrors, Corner View and a protruding on-road or tougher off-road bumper - a set-up exclusive to the UK. Front tyre size is restricted to maximum 315/70 and specific front axle variants (161N/163N/183N) are needed.
DAF reckons it is the only manufacturer that can currently achieve a five-star DVS rating with its regular road cab, and not a low-cab variant.
However, fuel efficiency will be reduced by 1.5-2% for this configuration.