When Arriva planned to order new multiple units for the Northern Trains franchise, CAF from Spain was selected since these managed to offer both diesel and electric trains on the same platform. So the class 195 was ordered as the diesel variant and the class 331 as electric variant. The class 195 is being powered by one 390 kW MTU engine per car that was assembled by Rolls-Royce. Each engine transmits its power to both axles of one bogie via a ZF hydromechanical gearbox. This allows a top speed of 160 km/h or 99 mph. 

In total, Northern operates 25 two-car sets and 33 three-car sets, of which the first ones were delivered in 2019. West Midland Trains ordered a variant with gangways at the ends that was designated class 196. The order included twelve two-car sets and 14 four-car sets. The third and largest operator is Transport for Wales Rail with 51 two-car and 26 three car sets. These are designated class 197 and also have gangways, but only 375 kW per engine. In the near future, TfW may order more sets from CAF for additional lines.