Truck tractor MAN TGX 18.400 4x2 BL SA

The golden mean of national long-range range

Daniil Minaev, photo by the author

“In the spring of 2022, the first four MAN TGX tractor units of the new generation were shipped to the operator. They turned out to be MAN TGX 18.400 4×2 of the fifth environmental class. On the eve of the official premiere, as part of a closed screening for representatives of the industry press, I managed to test the new product a little. There is something to tell.

Facelift. A new radiator grille, a predatory look of LED optics, a daring tilt of the mirror pillars. It's outside. Inside there is a new interior, instrument panel, handles, keys, multimedia, sleeping bag - everything has changed. But the cabin frame is the same, the power line with a lot of modernizations, but already familiar to us, and the next latest electronic architecture is catching up with the future. A tangle of contradictions between old and new, or new and new? Let's figure it out.

Trends

I look at the cabin, I think, I associate. Finally, in the era of advanced computer modeling and the capabilities of modern graphic design, truly beautiful cars began to be born. At the turn of the century, the creators of the “sausage” ranged from the proven biodesign of the 90s to angular functional forms that emphasized the superiority of aerodynamics. Then came robots and cyborgs in automobile form. For a long time, gloomy, emotionless, calculating technicians invaded the implementation of a harmonious appearance, preventing the nurturing of beautiful forms with their demands to place all kinds of devices, nodes, blocks, which is why all sorts of grilles, lighting devices, covers and casings of simply absurdly unimaginable shapes took precedence over the mind. But modern IT managed to reconcile everyone for some time. It’s nice to approach the car again, and a poster with its image can decorate the walls of not only ATP toilets and men’s locker rooms...

Interior, work and relaxation areas

To the point. I open the wide door. Ergonomic specialists have worked hard here. At first it was not clear what happened, but getting into the cabin became more convenient. And the following happened. The handrails are spaced wider, the door opens at an angle of 89 degrees, that is, almost at a right angle, the staircase with anti-slip coating on the steps is shifted to the center of the doorway. Previously, these “little things” would have taken years of experimentation, but now, you know, move the 3D model on a high-resolution monitor...

The most important thing inside is a fundamentally new “dashboard”. The front panel, thank God, is no longer the chest of drawers of a fastidious burgher. Coats of arms of Balzac age in symbiosis with the polished, strict design of a West German dental office. Everything is much friendlier.

The driver is surrounded by a well-executed unit with a digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch multimedia monitor. As the creators of the machine said, the panel is divided into two functional zones: reading and control. On the right hand, covered with an easily removable cover, is the washer of the controller for controlling the car settings and Smart Select multimedia. Do not confuse this with the automatic transmission selector. It (the selector) no longer resembles a kitchen stove knob or a central light switch and has moved from the cabinet between the seats to the right side of the steering column. The parking brake valve and the subject of much debate – the “parachute” – remained on the stand. On the one hand, there is no particular need for it in the electronically controlled braking system of the entire road train, but the hands, feet and senses of a truly skilled driver can sometimes work wonders, so let’s not deprive a professional of his tools. But what about those who incorrectly assess their driving skills, towards exaggeration?

Controlling the functionality using the Smart Select washer seemed too abstruse, but this was only during a short acquaintance. Perhaps after working for a few days you will get used to it so much that you don’t want to give up. The locking cap of the washer is extremely original, but it will not allow you to change anything in motion by accidentally touching it.

In general, everything is great! The temperature is monitored by climate control; the driver's seat was made by the famous company Recaro on a special order from the Munich concern, calculating it specifically for a driver of any size. It goes without saying that it has air shock absorption, lumbar support, cooling and heating. You can’t find fault with the materials; in the rather spacious, but not the highest cabin, of course, there was enough space for all kinds of drawers, niches and shelves for things.

The width of the lower sleeping shelf is 80 cm, length is 2 meters. All accessories for relaxation are present

The recreation area has also undergone positive changes. The bottom shelf is 2 meters long and 80 cm wide, suitable for a variety of people. The 110 mm thick mattress will allow you not to feel like the princess and the pea. But the longitudinal profile of the berth uncompromisingly invites you to lie with your head towards the right door...

In favor of thermal insulation, the new generation completely abandoned glazed side windows, and rightly so.

Behind the cab, a wide working platform allows you to conveniently work with the coupling station and other equipment. An 800-liter fuel tank and a 75-liter AdBlue tank mean you rarely have to worry about the presence of a gas station.

The gigantic mirror complex no longer obstructs the view

Design

The visual component of the tractor is made in the classic style of the German automobile concern owned by Volkswagen AG. The front is represented by double small rectangular optics, the upper rectangle is low and high beam, the lower rectangle is a turn signal and fog light.

Above the headlights on the MAN TGA tilting cab there is a rectangular radiator grille, next to which there are air exhaust compartments. The huge windshield at the top is complemented by black bangs to protect from the sun.

The sidewall of a predominantly straight shape is distinguished by one strong recess, creating a visual expansion of the wheel arch. In front of the arch there is a large step with an aluminum overlay. Behind the wheel the cabin ends and large aluminum fuel tanks begin.

Dimensions:

• length – 5875 mm;
• width – 2550 mm;
• height – 3750 mm;
• wheelbase – 3600 mm;
• ground clearance – 240 mm;
• front track – 2048 mm;
• rear track – 1804 mm.

Driving

11-liter, more precisely with a displacement of 10518 cm3, D2066LF41 engine of the fifth environmental class with a power of 400 hp. with the SCR neutralization system, although not the greatest hero in the ranks of the “Manov” engines offered for the Russian Federation, it provides stable thrust. A maximum 640-horsepower engine for all kinds of heavy loads is available to order in Russia. I believe that the main pool of sales will come from the middle breeds, developing four hundred plus mares.

There are no complaints about the automated gearbox; it matches the engine and takes care of the correct gear ratio in a timely manner. For specific transportation conditions, it was equipped with as many as a dozen firmware: from economical to heavy and off-road, not forgetting even liquid cargo. In the tested tractor, the gearbox algorithm was enriched with the function of “driving using the rocking method” - this will be useful to our person... The electric handbrake works adequately.

In the event of unscheduled emergency braking, the hazard warning lights turn on automatically. The adaptive tempomat (for those who don’t know, the Germans sometimes like to call it cruise control) works clearly, but on a curve in the plan, losing the leader, it tends to return to the set speed as quickly as possible, which is unpleasant, you have to be on guard.

Video review of the MAN TGX truck tractor

The cars are also equipped with an ESP system - a directional stability system that allows you to cope with skidding or minimize the risk of rollover. By assessing the danger of the situation, the system allows you to hold the car during sharp braking, high speed when turning or emergency detour around an obstacle, making the driver’s stay in the cabin as safe as possible. The price of truck tractors from MAN, belonging to the TGX series, starts from $96,000, but depending on the configuration, the price range can rise quite high.

In 2012, the model range of MAN TGX truck tractors was updated. The brake system, one of the most important elements of a truck tractor, has been significantly redesigned. Also included in this update:

• fuel injection modification
• new filter elements
• reduced fuel consumption
• the engine now meets the latest environmental standards

It is worth noting that the interior and exterior of the MAN truck tractor have been significantly redesigned. A new grille and headlights give this truck a modern, powerful look. By the way, Chinese imitators have already copied the design of this truck onto their models, but the original is always the original.

The equipment is very brief

The six-cylinder, in-line “Manov” engines for our market were migrated from the previous generation. Nothing new. They do not have an exhaust gas recirculation system, but they do have a catalytic reduction system with urea and a particulate filter.

The electronic wiring architecture here uses CAN and Ethernet.

In the original MAN rear air suspension, the role of the anti-roll bar is partially performed by the X-shaped torque rod, simultaneously increasing the operational reliability of the drive axle mounting. Unlike the most common A-shaped rod, even with extreme wear or damage to the hinges, it will always allow you to get to the repair site under your own power.

The maintenance interval for a tractor in the Russian Federation is 80,000 km, neither more nor less, the average among the “seven”.

Modifications and features of the cab of MAN trucks, TGX series

Considering the range of distances that TGX vehicles cover, the manufacturer offers a choice of one of three modification options for cabins produced under the MAN brand. Class XL is perfect for relatively long interregional transportation and distribution of various cargoes. XLX cabs feature a spacious interior with additional storage compartments and a comfortable bed. By the way, it is possible to install a second bed in this cabin if necessary. MAN TGX XXL class cabs are an ideal option for international cargo transportation; they are distinguished by a large, high-comfort interior, numerous shelves and luggage compartments, and are equipped with two beds.

A unique feature of MAN's TGX tractor series is the retractable roof and sunroof, which allows you to enjoy fresh air while driving on the highway. At the same time, the aerodynamics of the truck do not deteriorate at all. Improved cabin sound insulation has reduced the noise level inside the cabin by almost 30%, and contamination of the rear-view mirrors has been reduced by 60% compared to previous series. The headlights have LED headlights, and additional block headlights allow much better illumination of the road.

The control panel is equipped with a liquid crystal display, on which the driver has the opportunity to view this or that information in Russian. The computer is controlled using buttons located on the steering wheel. Thanks to the backlight, the readings on the instruments are perfectly visible even in the dark. The MAN TGX driver's seat has a fairly wide range of adjustment, which cannot be said about the steering wheel. Good visibility adds to the pluses of this car.

Eventually

The age of the TGX model is not an obstacle to modernization or even a change of generations, its potential has not been exhausted, and the Euro 6 version with the new D38 engine and MAN “Tipmatic 12” gearbox is available for the European market.

For Russia in 2022, MAN Truck & Bus marketers have minimized package offers for equipping their trucks.
Almost any combination of options - assemble your car like a designer... Technical characteristics of the MAN TGX 18.400 4x2 BL SA car

MAN TGA suspension and brakes

The tractor has a suspension that allows you not to notice road unevenness, because the package includes spring-loaded seats. The brake mechanism in the tractor is disc, and the entire system is controlled electronically.

There are a lot of different electronic devices in a vehicle, and the nodes are connected using several information and control buses. The first is responsible for the functioning of the engine, the second is responsible for the transmission, and the last monitors the readings of all instruments. There is a display on the dashboard of the tractor that shows indicators, so high-quality vehicle diagnostics can only be performed using a computer.

The MAN TGA tractor is a fairly popular and in-demand vehicle on the Eastern European market, not least due to its excellent technical performance. Even used models serve well both second and third owners. And by purchasing a used MAN TGA tractor, you will also save money. To find out more about our discounts and payment methods, as well as ask questions about the car you are interested in, just call: +7 or a toll-free number in Russia.