As part of ongoing upgrades to its freight forwarding fleet, International Forwarding has invested in two brand new CF 260 DAF trucks for greener transport and logistics. They arrived last week and already IFL’s managing director Rob Pike, who earned his HGV Class 1 licence in 2015 (Class 2 in 2008), has been behind the wheel testing them out.
The two 18-tonne rigids bring the number of trucks in the company’s cargo fleet to 20 and will go on distance work carrying UK pallets and international freight. They are replacing two older trucks, one of which is moving onto the local Midlands pallet delivery work and the other will be broken down at a local recycling centre.
Reduced environmental impact
The new acquisitions arrived last week with fresh IFL livery and Oxford blue curtains. The CF series boasts the latest features in safety, security and efficiency, including the highest Euro 6 European emission standards, which complements our ongoing drive towards greener transport and logistics.
Highly efficient transmissions and rear axles, engine innovations, aerodynamics optimisations and an interactive driver performance assistant (DPA) all help the driver in achieving the most cost-effective driving style. The changes have resulted in a fuel efficiency gain and CO2 reduction of an impressive 7%.
In fact, DAF’s new CF and XF were voted International Truck of the Year 2018 by a jury of European road-transport journalists for leading the way in transport efficiency.
Safety and security
Safe driving features include: a lane departure warning system to prevent inadvertent lane changes and to form an effective driving aid in low visibility conditions, and an electronic vehicle stability control system (VSC) to give stability on cornering or sudden steering.
Adaptive cruise control includes forward collision warning and an advanced emergency braking system (AEBS), while the key fob offers a facility for drivers to check all lights are working.
What’s it like to drive?
Driver comfort is important on long-distance vehicles and there are a number of cabin features to support this, including: a high-backed air-suspended driver seat, automatic temperature control and air-conditioning, sleeping cab, and so on.
We asked MD Rob Pike, for his review of the new trucks. He says: “Road handling feels good. Despite being an 18-tonner, it feels smooth and light drives almost like a car. Even with the ‘Beast from the East’ sending snow and ice, it’s been pretty easy to drive.
“It even complimented me today! The driver performance assistant (DPA) screen showed five green ticks as I drove down a hill and said: ‘Well anticipated!’ Of course, how we drive our vehicles can mean significant fuel savings and reduced emissions, and this all adds up over the miles.
“Overall, these are sturdy new additions to our fleet. We’re proud of our the CF 260’s lower environmental footprint and greater, greener performance, and look forward to many years of service in our core services shipping UK pallets and international road freight to Europe, and as part of the Palletways network.”
The new trucks form part of the ongoing rejuvenation of the International Forwarding fleet – you can see our full fleet range here.
Images: © Rob Pike/2018
