DAF’s XD series has been voted International Truck of the Year 2023 (IToY) by a jury of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists representing 24 major trucking magazines throughout Europe.
Harald Seidel, president of DAF Trucks, was presented with the award during the IAA Transportation’s press day in Hanover, Germany.
With a winning score of 134 votes, the Dutch truck manufacturer’s distribution series fought off tough challenges from Scania’s new Super long-haul driveline range and Mercedes-Benz’s Actros, equipped with the 3rd-generation OM 471 engine.
Based on the IToY rules, the annual award goes to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months making the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. This judgment relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
With the same DNA as the XF, XG, and XG+ models – which took the honours in last year’s IToY awards – DAF’s XD has taken full advantage of the EU’s new masses and dimensions regulations.
The result is a truck range that improves direct visibility (a key factor for distribution vehicles), internal cab space, aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, active and passive safety, and driver comfort.
During recently test drives in the Netherlands, the IToY journalists appreciated the driving position and the all-round enhanced visibility provided by a large, curved windscreen, side windows with low beltlines, and the kerb-view window.
These features – along with the digital vision system that replaces the traditional rear view mirrors and the corner view mirror – improve the safety of vulnerable road users along congested urban roads.
The IToY journalists also praised the performance of the new, highly efficient powertrain, which is based on the inline-six Paccar MX-11 engine, coupled with the ZF TraXon automated gearbox with advanced predictive features.
“With the introduction of the new XD series, DAF has delivered a state-of-the-art distribution truck family that sets a new benchmark in the automotive industry,” said Gianenrico Griffini, IToY chairman. “Moreover, the new XD is also a suitable platform for the coming generation of battery electric vehicles, to be introduced at the IAA Transportation.”
