Leyland Roadrunner

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leyland
Leyland truck in a field - geograph.org.uk - 1009793.jpg
Roadrunner
DAF 600/800/1000
Leyland DAF / DAF 45
Manufacturer: Leyland Trucks
Sales designation: Roadrunner
DAF 600/800/1000
Leyland DAF / DAF 45
Production period: 1984-1993
Previous model: Leyland Super G
Successor: DAF 45/55
Technical specifications
Engines: Diesel engines: Leyland 6.98NV 120 HP
Cummins Engine B-Series 6-liter 120 HP
130 HP
145 HP
Power: 88-107 kW
Perm. Total weight: 7-10 t

The forward control distribution truck Leyland Roadrunner was the last model of the British Leyland Motor Corporation in 1984 to be based on the T45 Project . The 7.5-tonner was developed as a competitor to the Ford Cargo and replaced the Leyland Super G, which in principle was still based on a construction from the 1960s. After the merger of Leyland Motors and DAF (Automobile) to Leyland DAF , the Leyland Roadrunner was marketed by DAF as the DAF 600/800/1000 in continental Europe . After a revision, the model was marketed as the Leyland DAF 45 in the Commonwealth of Nations countries and the export markets outside Europe and in continental Europe as the DAF 45 from 1991 . In 1993 Leyland DAF went bankrupt and Paccar became the new owner. By adjusting the model range, the model was revised and expanded again, replaced in 1994 by the Leyland DAF or DAF 45/55 .

Model history

The Roadrunner, launched in 1984, was developed as a direct competitor model for the Ford Cargo, launched in 1981. In the fastest growing sector in the truck market, the 7.5 t gross vehicle weight range, Leyland only had the outdated Leyland Super G on offer, which was only available from 10 t gross vehicle weight. This was a 1980 revised version of the Leyland G series and was already behind the Ford Cargo predecessor Ford D series and the 1980 updated Bedford TL on the domestic market . With the introduction of the Cargo, the Super G fell even further and a successor model was now increasingly necessary. The British Leyland Motor Corporation introduced the T45 Project to reorganize the commercial vehicle sector . In 1981 the first model of the Leyland Roadtrain, designed as a tractor unit, was launched , and in the same year the Leyland Constructor truck construction site . In 1982, the medium-weight Leyland Freighters and Leyland Cruisers were introduced. Leyland now had a completely modernized model range above 11 tons total weight. For the 7.5-tonne weight class, the T45's cab could not be used 1: 1 as with the other models due to its weight. However, many stampings including the cabin doors from the larger models were used. A huge windshield gave a good view of the road and the Roadrunner had a traffic safety detail already installed in the Morris / Leyland FG . A small one was inserted on the passenger side in the front area below the windshield, giving the driver a view of the edge of the road. In addition, the Roadrunner had standard equipment that was unusual for the time, such as heated exterior mirrors and central ventilation directly in front of the driver. The headlights were the same units as they were installed in the Austin Maestro . The dashboard was designed in a minimalist way but offered plenty of storage space and a lot of interior space in the driver's cab . There was also plenty of storage space under the front passenger seat and a large bag attached to the cabin wall behind the driver's seat to store cards and the like. Like the other models, the steering wheel and the Roadrunner were equipped with power steering from ZF Friedrichshafen as standard .

Before the T45 Project, Leyland had made great strides in its engines. The legendary Leyland 0.680 became the Leyland TL11 with a revised injection system and newly designed turbocharger, and the Leyland 0.500 engine introduced in the 1970s, which gained a reputation for unreliability due to numerous cylinder head damage, was also extensively revised and with a new head as the Leyland 6.98 NV has been introduced. Leyland built this into the Roadrunner with an output of 120 hp and coupled with synchronized gearboxes from Turner. For the Roadrunner, Leyland used an improved braking system of the other models, which received this afterwards.

In 1984 Leyland had with the Roadrunner, Freighter, Constructor, Cruiser and Roadtrain a complete modern range of trucks for every weight class, sector and area of ​​application, which the Euro rivals Scania or Volvo, which are strongly represented in the UK , could not offer. Thus, Leyland was the only full-service provider in the home market: Ford or Bedford only offered small or medium-weight trucks, Foden and ERF only medium-weight or heavy trucks. Only Mercedes-Benz , MAN , Renault Trucks and Iveco had a similarly comprehensive range on the European market . The smaller models from these manufacturers, with the exception of the Mercedes-Benz LN, which was launched at the same time, were based on older designs.

The Roadrunner was advertised intensively at the start with a large advertising campaign on posters and in commercial vehicle magazines as well as TV spots. Its standards of modern design, economy and the highest payload in its class, it quickly became the market leader in its home market. The later successor model, the DAF LF developed in the former Leyland works, holds this position to this day. This is also the market leader in the pan-European market, which the Roadrunner could not have achieved because of the lack of an extensive Leyland sales network. In Germany, for example, there were only a few dealers who offered the Leyland trucks.

Since the output of 120 hp was only low and European competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz LN were able to offer more choice, Leyland looked for alternatives. Cummins developed a lightweight 6 liter diesel engine series in the United States and Darlington , which became known as the Cummins B series. Since Leyland was looking for a modern engine with minimal costs, a contract was signed with Cummins in which Leyland received the individual Cummins B-series engines at a lower price for the production of certain parts and castings for Cummins.

At first this engine was named the Leyland 300 series and was produced entirely in Darlington with 120, 130 or 145 hp with a turbocharger. As a result, the Roadrunner now offered decent performance with low fuel consumption and high torque. At the same time, the front brake system was adapted to the higher performance and ventilated disc brakes were introduced. In addition, a tractor version was introduced.

A little later, in 1987, Leyland Motors and DAF (Automobile) merged to form Leyland DAF . DAF now marketed the Roadrunner as the DAF 600/800/1000 in continental Europe . At the same time, the series was expanded by installing larger rims and tires as well as reinforced axles, suspensions and other details, and a 10-ton total weight version was now also available. This was now also available as a building trade model with a crane and as a tipper vehicle, alongside other special vehicles that were previously available, such as garbage trucks or fire trucks .

Leyland DAF 45, DAF 45 1990-1993

In 1990 Leyland DAF streamlined its model range. The Roadrunner received small changes to the interior and exterior design. The side curb window was omitted, and inside there was now a padded dashboard, significantly improved seats, new panels and carpeting. As with the other models, the Roadrunner lost its name and became the Leyland DAF 45 or DAF 45 .

On the engine side, an intercooled version of the Cummins B-series engine was now available with 180 hp. All engines have now been equipped with a Bosch injection system for the upcoming Euro 1 emissions standard . In addition, they all now had a turbocharger, which meant that the smaller versions also had better torque distribution. Production was stopped at the end of 1993 and the Leyland DAF / DAF 45/55 became the successor model.

Web links

Commons : Leyland Roadrunner  - collection of images, videos and audio files