DAF CF and XF: International Truck of the Year 2018

by Dhiyanesh Ravichandran · Published December 17, 2017 · Updated July 24, 2022

The truck scored 104 points; impressed the jury with its energy-efficient technologies.

The prestigious International Truck of the Year (ITOY) annual award for the best truck or model range launched in the calendar year 2017 has been announced. Dutch truck maker DAF Trucks has bagged the 2018 award, for its new CF and XF range of heavy trucks. Iveco Stralis NP gas-powered (LNG) truck and Scania XT range has settled for second and third positions respectively.

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Since 1977, the ITOY award recognises the best new product introduced in the international truck market based on key parameters including fuel economy, technology, innovation, environmental footprint, road safety, cabin comfort, and lower TCO. For this year’s award, a jury consisting of 23 senior automotive journalists specialised in CVs rated the newly launched trucks. The DAF CF and XF secured 104 points in total to claim the title.

Both the DAF CF and XF trucks are in production since 1997-1998, and are assembled at Leyland Trucks facility in UK. The new trucks launched this year features eerodynamic optimizations for the cab, advanced powertrain software, and higher efficiency rear-axles with faster ratios. They also boast an improved transport efficiency of over 7 percent lower fuel consumption, 100 kgs additional payload, and extended service intervals of 200,000 kms.

Powered by PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 in-line 6-cylinder engines, the DAF CF and XF features ZF Traxon 12-speed automatic transmission. The engines are acclaimed for their industry-leading fuel economy, thanks to technological improvements including intelligent auxiliaries, new electronic architecture, improved combustion, reduced frictional-losses, and weight-saving out of engine and chassis optimizations. The trucks are also equipped with GPS-based Predictive Cruise control that aids engine and gearbox integration for improved fuel-saving.

Last year, the ITOY award was won by the new Scania S series.

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