At a glance
Make & Model: Daf XF 480 FTG Super Space
Engine: Paccar MX-13 12.9-litre six-cylinder Euro 6c
Power: 483hp @ 1600rpm
Torque: 2500nm @ 900-1125rpm
Gearbox: 12-speed TraXon auto, 12TX2210DD
Operator: Roffe Transport Services
This Daf XF is curiously understated yet eye-popping at the same time. It’s the pride and joy of 23 year old Tom Roffe, who is learning his trade in the family transport business.
We first saw the Daf at Truckfest Peterborough in 2019. The skies behind it were dark and stormy, with a bright sun at our back, shining directly on the truck. Pretty much any vehicle would look good with such favourable – and rare – lighting, but Tom’s Daf looked simply incredible; one of the best Euro 6 XFs we’d ever set eyes on.
Fast forward to 2020 and, after a delay due to you-knowwhat, we finally got the truck photographed for Editor’s Choice on a fine day in June, a mere 13 months after first spotting it. Although to be fair, during that time, Tom has also made some updates and additions to the truck. It wasn’t purchased brand new by his family’s firm, Roffe Transport Services.
The company was established by his grandad Malcolm, who started off as a cattle farmer before buying his first lorry, a Bedford TK, which was used to haul stock feed and potatoes, then fertiliser. At one point they were running 60 trucks.
Malcolm’s brother Neville established TWR transport, and for a while they both ran Volvos but Malcolm moved towards Daf trucks in the ‘80s and stuck with them ever since. Today, the fleet numbers 40 and they’re all Dafs.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
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This story is from the September 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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