Leyland Motors#Roadrunner

The front driver distribution truck Leyland Roadrunner was 1984, the last model of the British Leyland Motor Corporation which was created based on the T45 Project. The 7.5 -ton truck was developed as a competitor to the Ford Cargo and replaced the Leyland Super G which is still based in principle on a design from the 1960s. Following the merger of Leyland Motors and DAF (automobiles) to Leyland DAF Leyland Road Ranner DAF DAF was marketed as 600/800/1000 in continental Europe. After a revision of the model was marketed as the DAF 45 Leyland DAF 45 from 1991 as in the Commonwealth of Nations countries and the export markets outside Europe and in continental Europe. 1993 Leyland DAF went into insolvency and Paccar became the new owner. The model was from adjustments in model program again revised and expanded in 1994 replaced by the Leyland DAF or DAF 45/55.

Model History

The 1984 launched Roadrunner was developed as a direct competitor for the 1981 Ford Cargo launched. The fastest growing sector in the truck market, the 7.5 - tonne gross weight range Leyland had only the outdated Leyland Super G in the offer, which was available only from 10 tons total weight. This was a 1980 revised version of the Leyland G-series and was on the home market behind the Ford Cargo Ford D- series predecessors and also updated in 1980 Bedford TL. With the introduction of the Cargo much the Super G off even more, and a successor was now increasingly necessary. For realignment in the commercial vehicle sector, the British Leyland Motor Corporation introduced the T45 Project. In 1981, the first model of the designed as a tractor Leyland Road Train and in the same year of construction traffic truck Leyland Constructor. In 1982, the moderate Leyland Leyland Freighter and Cruiser were introduced. Leyland now had a complete modernized model range above 11 tonnes gross weight. For the 7.5 tonne weight class the cab of the T45 could not be taken over 1:1 as in the other models due to the weight. Nevertheless, many pressings were including the car doors from the larger models used. A huge windscreen was much view of the road and the Roadrunner had a used in construction to Morris / Leyland FG detail to traffic safety. On the passenger side in the front area below the windshield was a little inserted, whereby the driver had a view of the side of the road. In addition, the Roadrunner for that time possessed unusual standard features such as heated mirrors and a central vent in front of the driver. The headlights were the same units as you have been installed at the Austin Maestro. The dashboard was but minimalist design offered lots of storage space and plenty of interior space in the cabin. Plenty of storage, there were also under the passenger seat and a large mounted on the cabin wall behind the driver's seat pocket to stow some of cards and the like. The steering wheel was the same as standard the other models and the Roadrunner with a power steering system by ZF Friedrichshafen.

Before the T45 Project Leyland had made great progress in its engines. The legendary Leyland 0.680 was achieved through a revised injection system and redesigned turbocharger for Leyland TL11 and introduced in the 1970s Leyland 0.500 engine, which through numerous cylinder head damage the reputation of unreliability, was also extensively revised and with a new head as Leyland 6.98 NV has been introduced. This built in Leyland Roadrunner one with an output of 120 hp and coupled with synchronized gears of Turner. Used for the Leyland Roadrunner an improved braking system of the other models that this received thereafter.

1984 Leyland had with the Roadrunner, Freighter, Constructor, Cruiser and Road Train a complete modern truck range for each weight class sector and range of what a strong presence in the United Kingdom € rival Scania and Volvo could not provide. Thus Leyland was in the home market, the only full-service provider to Ford or Bedford offered only small or medium-duty trucks, Foden and ERF only medium or heavy trucks on the European market had only Mercedes -Benz, MAN, Renault Trucks and Iveco such a comprehensive program. With the smaller models of this manufacturer with the exception of the same starting Mercedes -Benz LN were already based on older designs.

With a large advertising campaign on billboards and in magazines and TV commercials commercial vehicle the Roadrunner was advertised to start intensive. His standards for modern design, efficiency and the highest payload in its class, it was on the home market quickly become the market leader. To date, the later successor model, the DAF LF developed in the former Leyland works holds this position. This here is also the market leader in the overall European market, what the Roadrunner would have not make it because of the lack of comprehensive Leyland distribution network can. So there were about in Germany only a few dealers who were offering the Leyland trucks.

Since the power of 120 hp was only slight and European competitors such as the Mercedes -Benz LN could offer more choice, Leyland was looking for alternatives. Cummins developed in the USA and Darlington a light diesel engine series with 6 liters capacity, which became known as the Cummins B series. Since Leyland was looking for a modern engine with minimal cost, a contract was concluded where Leyland received the single Cummins B- series engines at a lower price for the production of certain parts and casting parts for Cummins in return with Cummins.

First, this engine was named as Leyland 300 series and produced entirely in Darlington with 120, 130 or 145 hp with a turbocharger. Thus, the Roadrunner now offered decent performance with low fuel consumption and high torque. At the same time, the front braking system has been adapted to the higher power and introduced ventilated disc brakes. In addition, the introduction of a tractor version was made.

A little later, taken in 1987, the merger of Leyland Motors and DAF (automobiles) to Leyland DAF. The Roadrunner marketed DAF DAF 600/800/1000 now than in continental Europe. Along the series has been expanded by the installation of larger wheels and tires and reinforced axles, suspensions, and other details, including a 10- tonne GVW version was now available. This was now also available as Baufachhandelmodell with crane and a dump truck, in addition to other previously available special vehicles such as garbage trucks or fire-fighting vehicle.

Leyland DAF 45, DAF 45 1990-1993

In 1990, Leyland DAF proceed to the regularization of its model range. The Roadrunner received small changes to the interior and exterior design. This related to the lateral Boardstein Fixed and inside there was now a padded dashboard, significantly improved seats, new paneling and carpeting. As with the other models, the Roadrunner lost its name and now became the Leyland DAF 45 and DAF 45

Now on the motor side of the charge air cooling version of the Cummins B- series engine was available with 180 horsepower. For the coming Euro 1 emission standard regulations, all engines were now equipped with a Bosch injection system. In addition, all now had a turbocharger which also in the smaller versions better torque distribution was given. The end of 1993 the production was stopped and the Leyland DAF / DAF 45/55 was the successor model.