Urban distribution requires vehicles to be purpose built for multi-drop, multi-stop operations requiring maximum payload and optimum manoeuvrability. The DAF 45/55 series has been designed to be practical, flexible and economical to suit demanding inner-city and regional distribution as well as specialist roles such as road sweepers, fire engines and mobile homes.

Mike Smith, DAF Trucks Australia’s Sales & Marketing Manager, said that the 45/55 series has been designed to provide the greatest productivity at the lowest cost for the operator as well as providing the driver with a comfortable, safe and pleasurable driving experience.

"The DAF 45/55 series provide a high payload capacity and one of the lowest costs per kilometre in their class. And, like all DAF trucks, the engine delivers high torque at low engine speeds. This enables the 45/55 to keep up with traffic without having to continually change gears," he said.

The stylish and compact cab has a wraparound steel bumper with lights and indicators out of harm’s way. The low cab floor height and steps make cab entry easy and the short engine tunnel facilitates excellent cross-cab accessibility.

The cab features an ergonomically designed interior that sets new standards in driver comfort. Both the driver’s seat and the steering column are fully adjustable to ensure that drivers of all shapes and sizes can find the perfect driving position. The interior, with its binnacle style dashboard, is designed to maximise driver comfort and productivity. Front and rear cab stabilisers keep body roll to a minimum while the power steering, low pedal effort and low in-cab noise levels combine to help reduce driver fatigue. A sleeper cab option is available which also includes a raised roof to increase living and storage space.

The DAF 45/55 series have light, accurate steering with a 52 degree road wheel angle for exceptional manoeuvrability.

Power is provided by the highly efficient 5.9-litre, six-cylinder, in-line, turbocharged and intercooled Cummins diesel engine. The 45 series is available with three output variants of 160, 180 and 215 hp with maximum torque of 550 Nm, 640 Nm, 705 Nm respectively. The 55 series is available with three output variants of of 180, 215 and 235 hp with maximum torque of 640 Nm, 705 Nm and 800 Nm respectively.

Light, easy-to-handle, full synchromesh gearboxes are either five or six-speed for 45 models and six or nine-speed for 55 models. Alternatively, a five-speed automatic gearbox may be specified.

The DAF 45 is available as 4x2 rigid with a GVM of 10 or 11 tonnes. The DAF 55 is available as a 4x2 rigid with 12 or 15 tonnes GVM. The lightweight and durable chassis is designed to provide the ideal foundation for all body types. All vital chassis components are mounted on the inside of the pre-drilled frame leaving the top completely flat and free from obstructions for easy body mounting.

All 45/55 models feature disc brakes at the front for low-fade braking and easy and low cost maintenance, with drum brakes at the rear. ABS is available as an option.

All models feature parabolic springs with shock absorbers and anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles for comfort and stable handling. For the ultimate in load protection an optional electronic, two-bellow rear air suspension is available which can be raised or lowered from inside the cab to adjust the chassis height to variable height loading docks.

All DAF trucks come with a two-year / 500,000 kilometre warranty covering the complete chasssis and driveline and are distributed through the DAF dealer network in Australia.

DAF Trucks Australia is a division of PACCAR Australia. PACCAR Inc is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF and Foden nameplates.