For the engines, Eco Mode – now a standard feature on all Euro 6 Paccar MX-powered CF and XF models – drew attention for its promise of saving 1% fuel by reducing engine torque by 10% in all but top gear.
Meanwhile, DAF's new Silent mode, available on CF and XF models powered by the MX-11 engine, impressed visitors for its ability to reduce noise to less than 72 dB(A) at the touch of a dash-mounted button.
Then, predictive cruise control and shifting – now available for the first time in the UK on CF and XF trucks with the 12-speed AS Tronic transmission – uses GPS to track position and look ahead for inclines and descents. You can choose from three settings to optimise speed and gear selection for hill climbing speed and/or fuel economy.
As for safety, visitors also heard about DAF's Adaptive Cruise Control, with AEBS (Advanced Emergency Braking System) – designed to brake the vehicle independently of the driver in emergencies – as well as its new Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).
Returning to efficiency, DAF also spoke of detailed hardware engineering enhancements to the Paccar MX-11 and MX-13 engines.
On the MX-13, for example, improvements include a new camshaft, revised valve timing and a new two-stage water pump. There are also performance improvements for engine braking, with the unit now controlled via a three-stage, steering column-mounted stalk.
Incidentally, turning to the trucks, DAF has achieved weight savings on its FAD CF 8x4 chassis, not only in terms of the Euro 6 MX-11 engine, which is 180kg lighter than the MX-13, but also DAF's revised front suspension and use of aluminium air tanks, together increasing payload by another 107kg.
Beyond those improvements, all new 2015 trucks now feature tachograph data visible on the central information display, as well as improved cab collars and air deflectors, designed to further boost fuel economy.
For sleeper and Space cab CF models, the latest air management kit features a 10cm longer roof deflector and 5cm longer cab collars, both aimed at matching with trailers of 2.55m overall width.