Farnborough Van & Truck Hire (FVTH) has become one of the first UK operators to take DAF Trucks’ new DAF PowerLine fully automatic gearbox, which is said to deliver up to a 7% improvement in fuel economy for the LF range.
At a special handover at Leyland Trucks, FVTH managing director, Tim Houghton, was presented with the keys to a DAF LF 190 7.5-tonne rigid complete with PACCAR box-van body and tail-lift – part of a fleet order for the rental and contract hire company. The rental and contract hire company’s vehicles are supplied by Greenhous DAF.
The DAF LF is the first truck to feature the ZF PowerLine eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is tried and tested in the premium passenger car market where it is used by several prestige brands.
The heavy-duty variant of the automatic powershift PowerLine gearbox is available in 7.5, 10-12, 14-16 and 18 tonne GVM variants, including urban tractor and drawbar specifications up to 28-tonnes GCM.
PowerLine is a fully automatic powershift transmission with hydro-dynamic torque convertor delivering maximum responsiveness and seamless shifting with continuous torque transmission.
An ‘urge to move’ function delivers outstanding low-speed manoeuvrability while the high spread of ratios, including a double overdrive, together with ‘lock-up’ from first gear, helps to deliver significant fuel saving benefits. The whole package makes the LF even easier and more relaxing to drive.
The DAF PowerLine automatic gearbox features in a range of significant upgrades to the DAF LF range. Redesigned PACCAR PX-5 and PX-7 engines – seven ratings in total – feature lightweight yet strong Compacted Graphite Iron block, low-friction pistons, new efficient compressors and a new waste-gate turbo.
Together with newly optimised rear-axle ratios, plus the new DAF PowerLine gearbox, will deliver up to a 7% improvement in fuel economy.
Portsmouth-based FVTH has a 600-vehicle fleet with an 80% DAF presence across all weight categories. “Automated and automatic gearboxes are a must in the rental and contract hire business,” said Houghton. “My customers just want to jump in and go. The new DAF PowerLine takes it to the next level – it really does deliver car-like driveability.
Operationally, auto-boxes drive down maintenance costs, too – especially on clutches. And, of course, the prospect of a 7% improvement in fuel economy from the new driveline is a good thing for everyone.”
