In addition to the many weight saving measures, the project included a number of other advanced vehicle features such as independent front air suspension with rack and pinion steering, to investigate its benefits in terms of ride quality, steering precision and vehicle packaging improvements. Another patented innovation is the body floor structure being integrated in the chassis frame design, by incorporating the body sub frame into the main chassis side members. This module is smartly attached to the side members, as these don’t go to the very front of the vehicle, allowing optimal packaging. The Front Underrun Protection is mounted on a newly designed and patented front frame module. Next to amongst others, side and cross members, parts of the wheel suspension, the floor of the body and even the Front Underrun Protection are made of aluminium. Extensive use is made of aluminium extrusions for an optimal ratio between weight and stiffness. The FTCC research project features a number of new design concepts to further enhance transport efficiency. Aim was to realize an increased payload at a lower fuel consumption, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions. The project was co-funded by the British Government’s Innovate UK.
The FTCC is based on DAF’s popular LF-series and built by Leyland Trucks in close cooperation with both Sapa Profiles UK who worked extensively with DAF on the design and provided the aluminium extrusions whilst and CSA Group, who assisted with the validation of the truck by defining and conducting vehicle and rig based testing.
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