Daf's new CF and XF have been voted International Truck of the Year 2018 by an independent jury of leading road transport journalists from 23 European countries.

The most prestigious award in the European truck industry was handed to DAF Trucks president Preston Feight by Gianenrico Griffini, chairman of the jury, at the Solutrans transport exhibition in Lyon.

The new DAFs feature extensively updated PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines, the latest-generation 12-speed and 16-speed speed TraXon AMT transmissions from ZF, and high-efficiency rear axles. In pursuit of reduced friction the engines now sport fully variable oil, steering and coolant pumps, a new piston ring package, and a new piston skirt profile, while a new turbocharger and combustion system have also boosted efficiency.

In the drivetrain, the AMTs feature reduced internal friction, quicker shift action and an extended application of DAF's EcoRoll coasting feature, while the new rear axles have surface-ground differential gearsets, new bearings and seals, along with low-level, low-friction oil. The result of all the changes is a claimed fuel economy improvement of up to 7%.

Tare weight has been reduced by up to 100kg compared with the outgoing models, 50kg of the saving coming from a new, compact exhaust emissions module which combines the SCR dosing unit and particulate filter in a single package. The rest is achieved by weight-saving in the chassis and drivetrain.

External changes include a new sunvisor, designed for optimal aerodynamic efficiency, a mesh-backed grille, aluminium-highlighted front logo and bumper, and an increased area above the grille for company names. Inside, the cab features a completely new climate control unit, an uprated instrument panel and central information display and a new colour scheme. Thanks to smart vehicle electronics the action of individual switches can be adapted to the personal preference of the driver, adding to driver comfort as well as vehicle efficiency. The switches also make it easy for dealers and bodybuilders to add new functions without the need to install extra control panels.

Meanwhile, DAF has opened a new cab-painting facility at its plant in Westerlo, Belgium. The 8300-square-metre complex, which represents an investment of around 100million Euros, is among the most modern in the world, and was created in co-operation with leaders in the field of designing automotive paint facilities. Its capacity is 300 cabs per day, a 50% increase over the current paint factory. Colour choice extends to 3000 customer-specified formulations, the paint applied by robotic spray nozzles that rotate at up to 50,000rpm for optimal quality, matched with minimal paint consumption.