The year 2023 has started and we are looking forward for the trucknews of this year. There is a lot of news coming our way, since every truck manufacturer seems to be working on a longer, streamlined cab.
The new generation of DAF is very succesfull and it created a shockwave through the truck industry. With the new, streamlined cab DAF complies tot he European regulation 96/53/EG and that means the length of the cab is free, as long as the combination stays within the 12,50 radius when turning. DAF is the first to comply to that rule, and that makes the XG and XG+ cab possible, with significant more space for the driver.
Other manufacturers will have to follow, not only to save extra fuel as an effect of the better aerodynamics, but also to be able to make bigger cabs. In these times of driver shortage that is an important topic, and drivers that have lived in a DAF XG of XG+ cab dont want to go back to smaller cabs.
Volvo already has a longer cab, the XXL, and Scania now has the XL version of the S-Highline cab but both dont comply to the new European rules. Therefore the front must be more streamlined to be able to run legal with 13,6 meter trailers in most European countries.
The question is now who is going to be the first to follow DAF with a longer cab, that stays within the new European legislation. Our bets are on Scania, but we’ve also seen Mercedes-Benz prototypes with a new, streamlined front.
Scania:
The Scania cab and the interior have not been changed the last years, since the introduction of the ‘Nextgen’ series in 2016. We do espect a mild facelift and changes in the interor for the 2024 model, and that could mean that we are going to see it this year. Maybe with a new, streamlined front end to comply to the EU 96/53/EG rule? There is a longer cab available now, the XL version of the S-Highline cab. Other Scania news is that the camera system is still not available. They showed it in 2022 but that was a prototype of the system. Scania is still working on their own camera solution to get rid of the mirrors.
Mercedes-Benz:
Pictures of prototypes with heavy camouflage show an Actros with a new, streamlined front. This could be the answer to the new DAF, probably in the next IAA year, 2024?
DAF:
After introducting the XF, XG, XG+ and the XD series we do espect DAF to work on the LF series. DAF has always had a complete family face for the complete truckrange, and that means the LF also has to get a facelift, or a complete new cab. Apart from that Rumours say that DAF is testing a new, 15 liter engine to be able to go above the 530 Hp that they offer now. Our guess is that they are working with Cummins to be able to make trucks with 600 Hp or more.
Iveco:
Iveco launched the S-Way in 2019. The new design looks very good but when you look closer the cab is still the Stralis body in white, and the interior just got small updates. We now have information that Iveco is working on a completely new interior and dashboard. This could be introduced this year.
Volvo:
Volvo just updated the FM and FH models in 2020 but the development never stops. Fact is that Volvo is still working with conventional mirrors. Now, with streamline getting more important the next step is to mount camera’s. We already saw the Volvo Concept Hybrid Truck in 2017 with camera’s, and it would not surprise us that they go in production fast. The concept truck also has a more streamlined front end, but the question is if that is enough for the European EU 96/53/EG rule, that makes the XXL cab legal for a 13,60 trailer in Europe.
