The DAF 95 was the Dutch maker’s heavy truck of 1987 and the model that took it into the top class of European long-distance transport. It used DAF’s Advanced Turbo Intercooling engine, was voted Truck of the Year in 1988, and stayed in production until the 95 XF replaced it in 1997.
DAF 95 at a glance
| Maker | DAF, Eindhoven |
|---|---|
| Introduced | IAA, 1987 |
| Production | 1987–1997 |
| Award | Truck of the Year 1988 |
| Cab | developed with Pegaso through the firm Cabtec |
| Engine | 11.6-litre six, ATi |
| Power at launch | 310, 350 and 380 hp |
| 1990 update | 330, 360 and 400 hp, new bumper and logo |
| 1992 | 430 hp added |
| 1994 | 95.500 Super Space Cab, 507 hp Cummins |
| Cab versions | day cab, sleeper, Top Sleeper, Space Cab, Super Space Cab |
| Successor | DAF 95 XF (1997), then XF 95 (2002) and XF105 (2005) |
Based on one source: the Dutch Wikipedia article on the DAF 95.
History of the DAF 95
A cab shared with Pegaso
The DAF 95 was not developed alone. DAF and the Spanish maker Pegaso worked together on a new cab and set up the company Cabtec for the job. Pegaso presented the Troner with this cab slightly before DAF showed the 95, which made its public debut at the IAA show in 1987. DAF offered the 95 with a day cab (type FT 95), a sleeper cab, a Top Sleeper, a sleeper with a raised roof called the Space Cab and, later, a sleeper with enough standing height to move around in, the Super Space Cab.
ATi and the power ladder
At launch the 95 was sold only with DAF’s familiar 11.6-litre six, now with Advanced Turbo Intercooling, or ATi. There were three power ratings: 310, 350 and 380 hp. The truck passed the Swedish safety test without problems, and DAF argued that it let operators carry more for lower running costs. A small update in 1990 changed the front bumper and the DAF logo and lifted the three ratings to 330, 360 and 400 hp. In 1992 a 430 hp engine became the new top of the range. In 1994 came a special version, the 95.500 Super Space Cab, with a 507 hp 14-litre Cummins diesel; that engine was offered only with the Super Space Cab, although from then on the smaller engines could be ordered with the big cab too.
From 95 to XF
The 95 laid the foundation for everything DAF built afterwards in the heavy class. In 1997 the DAF 95 XF was introduced on its basis, in 2002 came the DAF XF 95, and at the end of 2005 the XF105 arrived as the new flagship, with engines that met the Euro 5 standard. The 95 also gave the F241-based range a reason to be revived: when the old heavy trucks were dropped in 1987 there was a gap between the medium 2500 and 2700 and the new 95, which DAF filled with the 2900 and 3200.
Design and features
- ATi engine: Advanced Turbo Intercooling in an 11.6-litre six.
- Space Cab: a raised-roof sleeper, and later the Super Space Cab with standing height.
- Award: International Truck of the Year in 1988.
- Steady growth: from 380 hp in 1987 to 507 hp in 1994.
- Shared development: the cab was designed with Pegaso through Cabtec.
DAF 95 versions
- FT 95 day cab: for local and regional work.
- Sleeper and Top Sleeper: for long-distance drivers.
- Space Cab: sleeper with a raised roof.
- Super Space Cab: full standing height, from 1994.
- 95.500: the 507 hp Cummins version.
The 95 was replaced by the DAF XF family, and its arrival left room for the revival of the DAF F241 as the 2900 and 3200. More models are in the DAF collection.
Sources
- DAF 95, Dutch Wikipedia: cabins, engines, updates, successors
