The DAF XF is the Dutch maker’s range of heavy long-distance trucks, produced since 1997 and developed from the DAF 95. Over four generations it grew a new cab, new engines and new electronics, and it has won the International Truck of the Year award with the XF105, the XF106 and the new-generation XF of 2021.
DAF XF at a glance
| Maker | DAF Trucks, Eindhoven |
|---|---|
| Produced since | 1997 |
| Developed from | DAF 95 |
| First generation | DAF 95 XF, 1997 |
| XF95 | 2002, 380, 430, 480 and 530 hp |
| XF105 | 2005, International Truck of the Year |
| Euro 6 XF | shown at the IAA 2012, built from 2013 |
| 2017 update | new engines, gearboxes and axles |
| 2021 generation | new cab; larger versions called XG and XG+ |
| Engines | 10.8 or 12.9 litres, PACCAR MX-11 or MX-13 |
| Gearbox | ZF AS Tronic or ZF Traxon |
History of the DAF XF
From the 95 to the XF
The XF line began with the DAF 95 XF of 1997, a development of the DAF 95 that had appeared ten years earlier. Five years later came the XF95, which took most of its appearance from the well-received 95 XF but had a more modern front and much that was new underneath, changes DAF needed to compete with the MAN TGA and the Mercedes-Benz Actros. The XF95 was offered in four power classes: 380, 430, 480 and 530 hp. The largest of these was not a DAF design but a Cummins engine bought in from outside.
The XF105 and Euro 6
In 2005 DAF introduced the XF105 at the Bedrijfswagen RAI in Amsterdam, the next step in its line for international transport. The truck won the International Truck of the Year award, and the range kept collecting the title: the XF106 took it in 2018 and the new-generation XF in 2022. At the IAA in Hanover in 2012 DAF presented the Euro 6 XF, which went into production in 2013 with a new engine and a different front; the small quarter light in the door window disappeared and the headlamps became LED units. In 2017 the XF and the CF received a major update with more efficient engines, gearboxes and axles, which brought the International Truck of the Year title again.
The 2021 generation and the cab names
In 2021 DAF presented a new generation of the XF together with the completely new DAF XG. From this generation the larger cab versions of the XF are sold as the XG and XG+, a separate name for the biggest cabs. The modern XF uses a 10.8 or 12.9-litre PACCAR MX-11 or MX-13 engine with a ZF AS Tronic or ZF Traxon gearbox, in manual or automatic form. The type code also describes the chassis: FT is a tractor unit, FTG a tractor with a steered leading axle, FTP a tractor with a small leading axle, FA a 4×2 rigid, and the FAR, FAS, FAN, FAG and FAT codes describe six-wheel rigid trucks with different rear axle arrangements. The XF is used by armies as well as hauliers: the Canadian Army runs the XF95 Tropco tractor for its tank transport platform, leased from the Dutch Army.
Design and features
- Four generations: the 95 XF, XF95, XF105 and the Euro 6 and 2021 models.
- Award-winning: International Truck of the Year with the XF105, XF106 and the 2021 XF.
- PACCAR MX engines: 10.8 or 12.9 litres, with ZF automated gearboxes.
- XG and XG+: from 2021 the biggest cabs carry their own name.
- Military use: the XF95 Tropco tank transporter with the Canadian Army.
DAF XF versions
- 95 XF: the first XF of 1997.
- XF95: the 2002 model, 380 to 530 hp.
- XF105: the 2005 model for international transport.
- Euro 6 XF: from 2013, with LED headlamps.
- XF 2021: the new generation, with the XG and XG+ for the larger cabs.
The XF grew out of the DAF 95 and sits above the DAF CF; the older heavy trucks are in the DAF F241 article. More models are in the DAF collection.
Sources
- DAF XF, English Wikipedia: generations, awards, engines, XG
- DAF XF, Dutch Wikipedia: XF95, XF105, Euro 6, type codes
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