DAF » 1600 / 2000 / 2200

Whilst the old-style, normal-control bonneted trucks had been phased out, their demise was followed by the introduction of a brand new generation of trucks. DAF had been working throughout the late 1960s on the design of an innovative and modular tilt cab, which not only allowed greater access for servicing major mechanical components, but used standard pressing that could ultimately be adapted for the widest range of applications. The first incarnation of the new tilt cab was the F218 (2.18 meter wide version), which was launched at the beginning of 1970 on the brand new 1600 and 2000 series of medium weight rigid trucks and tractor units.

Not content with setting a new bench mark in cab construction, DAF also used the models to launch a brand new 8.25-litre series engine. To bridge the gap between turbocharged DT615 and DD75, the engineer at Eindhoven choose a size almost exactly halfway between the two engines: 8.25 litres. The new engine was designed from the outset for the loadings and cooling requirements of high pressure turbocharging, and the first incarnations appeared as the 163hp, naturaly aspirated DH825, and the turbocharged DHB, producing 218hp SAE.

In 1972 DAF introduced the second range of trucks with F218 cab, designated the 2200 series. Designed to operate at up to 32 tons GVW, they were available with 180, 201 and 230hp versions of the new 8.25-liter engine, although the higher output version proved to be the volume seller.