DESIGN LONGER LORRIES CM was lucky enough to see truck sketches vision Words: Brian Weatherley
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Given the choice, we on CM prefer to look ahead rather than simply live in the present. Thanks to Oaf Trucks design director, that's exactly what we've done, but with our feet kept firmly on the ground...
It's amazing what you find in the most unprepossessing places. We're standing outside a large, anonymous building called B10 in Daf's Eindhoven site, where we're about to have a unique glimpse into what the future might hold. B10, or, to give it its proper name, the Daf Experience Centre, is where customers come for new product presentations. Right now the presentations are in full swing as the Dutch truck maker shows off its latest Euro-6 models to visiting operators.
We're here to meet Bart van Lotringen, Daf's design director, and it's not long before our conversation fast forwards beyond the latest LF, CF and XF chassis on display to the question: "What will be the impact of the European Commission's [EC] proposal to allow longer trucks, including those with extended noses on the cab for improved safety and aerodynamics, on future vehicle design?" Some observers believe we'll see such vehicles on Europe's roads as early as 2020 (CM i8 April and 16 May). Creative minds Van Lotringen's answer has us salivating like Pavlov's dog. "We've prepared some sketches we thought of possible scenarios.., maybe they are of interest?" Is Andy Murray Wimbledon Champion? With notebook in hand, we quickly follow Daf's top designer into a secluded bit of B10 known as the design comer, where he explains the thinking
behind a series of futurist drawings hanging on the walls. We're immediately attracted to one of a wind-cheating blue artic with curving aero-nose, and a more-angular pencil sketch below. But first things first, what does van Lotringen make of the news from Brussels? "It's a not a simple thing," he responds. "The proposal is written out of aerodynamics and safety but, of course, there's more criteria to a vehicle than just those, and I think it will lead to a completely new architecture of the
vehicle, where we really need to balance those [dimensional] gains against any benefits." Before we go any further, van Lotringen also stresses that what we're looking at are design studies and definitely not Daf's 2020 tractor line-up.., pity, we think they're very attractive!
Van Lotringen proceeds to give us a verbal walkaround of the bonneted blue beauty (below right). "The idea is to have a longer nose, more of a wrap-around windscreen and trying to improve the driver's vision around the three-quarter area, which is usually the most difficult particularly on the nearside of the vehicle. We notice the very close-coupled trailer too... "Of course! We're always looking for a nice integration of the trailer to the rear of the cab," he adds. "It's something you already see, especially in the UK with trailers with aerodynamic rounded roofs." Hold on though... we can't help wondering how a driver gets in the cab, as the steps don't appear to be in the usual place... Keeping it practical
"That's really the dilemma," answers van Lotringen. "Because adding the extra length [with a nose] means you've got to move the front axle forward, how do you then get into the vehicle?" Pointing to the concept truck's curving nose, he continues: "If I make a step here, it's much more rounded and difficult to get in." Directing our gaze to the smaller pencil sketch below, which shows a set of steps behind the steer axle, van Lotringen continues: "So one idea is to get in from the back [like an American COE] but it's not so easy to get in, if you work on a staircase like this." We point out that in Australia, Paccar's Kenworth subsidiary has already come up with a clever way to help drivers get into its US-style cab-over tractor with a set-forward steer axle (see box right). However, we mustn't get side-tracked, and without breaking step van Lotringen leads us towards a pair of drawings of set-forward, front-axle tractors, with much shorter 'noses', including one with a most interesting profile. "This shows that in order to get a larger bunk, you
want to move the driver forward," he says. And not just for a bigger bed either, for van Lotringen notes: "To improve the [driver's] vision, because of an extra nose you'd want to move them forward — so this is one idea from one of our designers who inverted the windscreen." Strange-looking it may be, but that radical reverse-rake ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN
If European trucks do gain longer aero/ safety noses, Daf's designers and engineers are predicting it could push steer-axles forward to retain decent approach angles, turning circles and help axle-loadings. Consequently, the entry steps of longer-wheelbase future European tractors end up behind the front-axle, similar to US-style COEs. Such vehicles have traditionally presented a challenge when designing decent driver access, compared with European trucks.
If European trucks do gain longer aero/ safety noses, Daf's designers and engineers are predicting it could push steer-axles forward to retain decent approach angles, turning circles and help axle-loadings. Consequently, the entry steps of longer-wheelbase future European tractors end up behind the front-axle, similar to US-style COEs. Such vehicles have traditionally presented a challenge when designing decent driver access, compared with European trucks.
Both Freightliner in the US and Paccar in Australia have developed novel ways to ease the driver's entry into their cabs. The Argosy's entry steps swing out as the driver's door opens. Meanwhile, at the recent Brisbane Truck Show, Kenworth launched its electro-hydraulic Active
Cab Entry system for its popular K200 cabover. With ACE, the bottom steps swing outwards,
activated via a button by the door frame. Recessed grab handles in the top platform ensure the driver mounts the steps using the
classic three-points-of-contact approach. A proximity sensor stops the pop-out steps
striking a close-parked car.