CM 500 point cab test.PDF

4 OPERATIONS group test

Vehicle focus

500-point test 5

Daf CF440 Space Cab

Vehicle focus

Iveco Stralis Hi-Road 400

The Stralis Hi-Road cab is not exactly
new but such is the way truck press fleets
work it hasn’t had the exposure that its
full-sized Hi-Way sibling has enjoyed. This
is the first real opportunity outside of a
show stand to get a decent impression.
Although its floor is only a few inches
higher than the low-slung Daf and Volvo, it
takes an extra step to get aboard.
Once up, the first of those impressions is
that it seems bigger inside than it looks
from the outside and indeed, than the tape
measure says. The next is that Iveco’s
interior designers are still maximising the
value from the company’s previous
sponsorship of the All Blacks rugby team,
the silver fern influence is still apparent.
We doubt that anyone, even within the
company, will deny that on Ivecos of yore
the interior quality left something to be
desired. Over the years the interior has
improved with each new model update and
is now quite acceptable. It looks robust
and stylish but there still is a lot of hard
plastic. The top of the dashboard looks like

The Daf Space Cab is unique in that its
cab dimensions change according to
which engine is fitted. With the MX11
engine there are still two entry steps, which
provides benefits over the three steps fitted
when the MX13 engine is chosen. It was
smart of Daf to enter the lower-mounted
type into this test, which provides low entry,
better visibility and smaller blind spots.
The Daf has the greatest overall internal
height, about 150mm more than even the
best of its rivals. We reckon this is because
years of cycling have given the Dutch
longer legs than the rest of us.
A lot of storage space, at 844 litres the
second best, as well as a good bunk and
plenty of usable off-duty habitation space
impressed, as did the high-quality materials
and finish. The new dashboard with its clear
colour display scored high points, while the
easy operation of the on-board computer
and all the display settings was much
appreciated by the test team. We
particularly like the way the settings and
information can be clearly seen by those of

COMMERCIAL MOTOR 8/1/15

us whose reading sight has diminished a
bit with age. Maybe it’s the influence of
those cyclists again, but the CF scores
extremely well in visibility and blind spots,
especially past the A-pillars.
While the 500-point cab test doesn’t
include the full range of on-road testing
seen in the full 1,000-point test, there is still
a dynamic element. The Dutch truck scored
the highest points for road behaviour and
steering, and actually rated the maximum
points available for its brakes, including its

carbon-fibre, which might be a nice
gimmick for some, but we prefer soft-touch
materials.
The dashboard information display is
very well done and the adjustment of the
mirrors is unique. Every mirror can be
adjusted electronically, even the wideangle mirrors.
The Stralis picked up many points for the
usability of its storage provisions, despite
their lack of dimensions, only to drop them

again on quality. Another points loser was
visibility, especially blind spots on the
passenger side.
Despite being an Italian truck, built in
Spain and tested in Germany, it has a
Dutch registration.
This gave the opportunity for one of the
test team to enjoy an extended drive,
which backed up the dynamic test results
that rated the Stralis well in the road
behaviour section. In fact, it outscored the
driving and steering of the Mercedes-Benz
and the Volvo, a surprise given their
positive perceptions.
Though not actually part of the test, we
have to take the opportunity to mention the
surprising way in which the little Cursor 9
engine performed with 400hp. The tiny, by
current parameters, six-pot proved well
capable of hauling the 40-tonne gross
weight, running very smooth and quiet.
However, nothing can hide the fact that
the Iveco is a “mature” design and even
the latest makeover was not enough to
earn it a high score.

very impressive engine brake. It also
scored near maximum for the overall
comfort figure, a combination of all noise
and vibration measurements.
The seats fitted to the test truck are the
very latest items and have a good range of
adjustment, compensating for the rather
limited range of steering wheel angle
adjustability.
The Daf didn’t really do anything badly,
although its score for access/storage was
hit by the minuscule external locker
aperture.
A combination of minor niggles with gear
changing and the other driving controls
added up to a below par rating in that
section. Otherwise, the Daf was rarely
judged to be average at worst.
This consistency saw the CF take second
place overall, although we had to refer to
tenths of a point to separate it from the
Renault.
That means the older design is still
rewarded more than the new Renault
Range T, and that is remarkable.

8/1/15 COMMERCIAL MOTOR