On February 10, the German automaker MAN presented an updated line of its trucks. According to the company, this is its first new generation of trucks in 20 years. Its creation took 2.5 years and 4 million km of testing. Four models weighing from 7.5 to 18.0 tons were updated - TGL, TGM, TGS and TGX. MAN points out that in the new family, the developers focused on four areas: driver ergonomics, machine efficiency and reliability, and customer interaction. Trucks and Roads correspondent Tatyana Eliseeva drove the new TGX long-haul tractor to find out how MAN has changed.
Four models of MAN trucks weighing from 7.5 to 18.0 tons were updated - TGL, TGM, TGS and TGX (photo: Tatyana Eliseeva)
Appearance
Let's start our first acquaintance with appearance. The cabin design is very modern, despite the fact that the first TGX series car was released ten years ago. By the way, German engineers took the frame and cabin of the TGA truck as a basis. It was TGX that became its continuation. Characteristic features of the new cabin are slanted optics, a large radiator grille and a simply huge windshield. Also on top versions of MAN there is additional glazing at the top of the cabin. As for the rear window, which is located immediately behind the side window, it is present straight from the factory. This glass is originally tinted. This window partially extends into the sleeping compartment, and many complain about the sun's rays penetrating into the “sleeping area.” It is impossible to close it with anything. You have to invent some kind of stubs yourself.
What pleases us about the new MAN is the huge plastic trim on the door that covers the two running boards. Here drivers can leave their shoes without fear that they will somehow fall out. Another plus is the presence of side drawers in the cabin. They open from the inside, using a special cable lever. The chest lid has a gas stop.
An interesting feature: MAN uses “smart” lighting technology. How it works? When you turn the steering wheel to the right or left, the system automatically turns on the side lights. Thus, the dead zone is illuminated by a separate lamp located in the fog lamp section. This was done not only for convenience, but also for safety.
Car appearance
Quite often, manufacturers, when releasing an updated model of their vehicle, make only minor adjustments to the appearance of the car. As for the MAN TGX, changes are present in many parts and elements. First of all, they concern the cabin, which has been transformed to improve aerodynamic performance and, accordingly, the vehicle’s resistance to air flow while driving. The housing of the rear-view mirrors has become slightly different, which is why its streamlining has increased. The bumper also has a new shape, which allows for noticeably better air removal. The air intakes not only took on a new look, but were also hidden in the outer casing.
The rather strict appearance of the MAN TGX was ensured by its black panel made of fiberglass. The new look of the car is emphasized by modified lighting technology. It has become more durable. The truck has the option of daytime running lights in the parking lights.
The new MAN TGX has a spoiler, which the previous version of the car did not have. The roof of the truck began to slide apart, just like the new hatch. The glass is made in such a way as to provide the driver with maximum visibility for a comfortable and safer movement.
Paint and corrosion protection
Is the cabin painted well? The owners say that the quality of the paintwork here is at a good level. There are no chips after 500-800 thousand kilometers. But the headlights sweat, and this is a minus. Does MAN rust? Most of the elements in the tractor (this is the bumper, running boards, part of the doors, spoiler) are made of plastic. Therefore, there is nothing to rust here. Instances that have traveled more than a million kilometers do not have the slightest hint of rust. In this regard, the Germans deserve respect. The only drawback is the side spoiler mounting loops, which move away from the right side. The loops will turn sour over time. And if there is a need to hook or unhook a trailer, it is difficult to move this spoiler to the side.
Exploitation
MAN TGL in 2013 is not at all a newcomer to the Russian market. For about seven years now it has been plowing the vast expanses of our homeland, and therefore it is quite natural that some operators have a grudge against it. This modern and high-tech truck requires a certain attitude. Both from the side of the roads on which he drives, and from the side of the fuel with which he is refueled, and from the side of the service where he is serviced. And if any link in this chain turns out to be weak, then trouble may ensue. I don’t see any point in talking once again about fuel quality – a problem on a nationwide scale. It just sometimes happens that the carrier chops down the branch he’s sitting on. Even in distant regions there are large fuel market operators who are able to provide their fleet with fuel at least within the GOST framework. It's enough. And what ruins the car is precisely the desire to save money by choosing a dubious fuel and lubricants supplier.
It is naive to talk about the need for regular prevention. Currently, in the Russian provinces there is an acute shortage of qualified specialists in modern automotive technology, so official dealers operating in the regions are often forced to coordinate their decisions with the head office. This applies, first of all, to warranty failures and the order of expensive spare parts, because their purchases in most cases are carried out from the budget of the dealer, and not from the client and the representative office. The result is a long downtime awaiting repairs.
The MAN TGL design contains components that must be handled with extreme care in Russian road conditions. A tight schedule, fatigue, or even banal bungling by the driver can cause significant damage to the car. For example, the front suspension is on parabolic springs. I know of a rather telling example. When it was necessary to carry out minor welding work on a car, the welder chose a spring to connect the “ground” of the electric welding machine. Lightly tapping the spring to ensure contact ultimately cost the owner expensive repairs (a tiny fragment broke off, after which the spring collapsed just a few kilometers later). And how many such “knocks” can a short trip along a dirt road sprinkled with crushed stone present?
The layout of the power unit in a modern truck is very dense. This is especially true for the cooling system, since it plays a huge role in neutralizing exhaust. The radiator with plastic tanks on the MAN TGL is located low, to improve heat exchange there are no protective covers, so when driving through deep puddles with an unknown “pilot”, as well as driving onto curbs and other obstacles, you must be extremely careful and attentive.
Everyone benefits from modern disc brakes. Only anti-icing reagents and road dirt greatly reduce their stability and shorten their service life. Therefore, in some regions it is necessary to monitor these units, clean and lubricate the guides, and prevent the unit from overheating more often than required by dealer regulations. Otherwise, the most harmless consequences are premature wear of the tires; it’s better not to talk about the worst.
In a word, in order to have a modern, highly efficient means of running a transportation business, which, without a doubt, is the MAN TGL, you need to grow up to it, meet its level, otherwise it could be a lot of wasted money. But if you are ready for this, not only morally and physically, but first of all technically, then these funds will not be wasted. I checked this myself.
Bucky
If we talk about the most popular truck (Man TGX, a truck tractor), it is equipped with two fuel tanks. On the right side it has a capacity of 580 liters. There is a double tank on the left.
There is a partition here that separates diesel fuel and AdBlue (in common parlance “urea”). The tank capacity itself is 760 liters for diesel fuel, and 80 for “urea”. It is worth noting the high power reserve. With full tanks, the Man TGX TGS can travel up to 3.8 thousand kilometers. The consumption of “urea” is small - in the proportion of one to ten relative to diesel fuel.
XLX
These tractors are already more suitable for the track. First of all, such a cabin is equipped with a refrigerator. It freezes to four degrees, which allows you to store not only vegetables, but also meat. This cabin also has a bed with a soft mattress. Some versions of the Man TGX XLX truck have two sleeping berths.
The manufacturer itself says that the XLX cab is suitable for regional transport. However, drivers also feel comfortable on longer flights. There is enough space here to walk upright without the top of your head touching the ceiling. There is also an electric sunroof. It is hidden behind the spoiler, so you can open it even in the rain without fear of water getting inside.
About operation
We open the door 85 degrees. The steps were moved more towards the center, so that it became more convenient to climb. We grab the handrails and, having climbed three steps, find ourselves inside. The steering column is raised horizontally. Even a very fat driver can easily pass here. The solution, of course, is not new. This has already happened in The Simpsons, that is, in Scania. Let's add here a very high roof and the ability to walk around the cabin at full height. The distance from floor to ceiling is 2.08 m. The wow effect is perhaps spoiled by the memory of absolutely flat floors in the Mercedes-Benz Actros, Scania with S-series cabs or Renault Trucks T520. In the new MAN TGX, to the right of the driver's seat there is a ledge with a niche for small items and handles for the parking brake and semi-trailer brake.
Without an electronic parking brake, there will be a “stump” sticking out on the floor.
To be fair, we note that there are modifications with an electronic parking brake. There is no tunnel on the floor, since the control button is located on the dashboard.
We customize the steering wheel to suit you. To do this, unlock the pneumatic lock with the button on the left side of the column and pull the steering wheel down to a comfortable position. By the way, you can practically put it on the seat, like a Volvo. We fix the steering column with the same button, and we can get under way. But first, let's look around.
No analogue tachometer, speedometer, fuel level or temperature indicators. All information is now on the color display. The steering wheel, as is customary in modern realities, is multifunctional.
The MAN TGS dashboard has become fully electronic
Among other “cosmetic” changes, we note new control buttons for the central locking, power windows and rear-view mirrors on the driver’s door. 12 and 24 V sockets, as well as USB ports, were placed in different places in the cabin.
By the way, a folding table is hidden in the opening niche in front of the passenger seat. It is small, its width is smaller than even its analogues on airplanes. But the length allows you to successfully place both a glass and a plate.
In general, the dashboard is now practically no different from the Volvo FM. There is something similar in the Mercedes-Benz Actros, only the surface is flat and not beveled towards the windshield. And all kinds of shelves, niches, cup holders, tables, etc. are located approximately the same across the entire “European Seven”. So the MAN cabin interior designers have not invented anything new here. Unfortunately or fortunately, it is up to the drivers who spend a huge amount of time here to decide.
The interior of the MAN TGX now resembles the trucks of competitors from the Big Seven
They will clearly appreciate a double bed. Wide, comfortable and long. Also with a control panel for interior lighting, power windows, central locking, autonomous heater, etc.
There is a refrigerator under the lower sleeping bag. This is not just a cooler, but a full-fledged device with a compressor and freon. Optionally, you can order a microwave oven; it will be placed in one of the upper compartments.
The engine can be started and stopped outside the cab - the button is on the door
I was very pleased with the sound insulation. Even when you sharply press the gas pedal and increase the speed, there is no pressure on your ears. The engine is almost inaudible, especially if you use the multimedia system. And you don't even need to turn up the music volume.
By the way, about the multimedia system. Here it bears the proud name MAN SmartSelect and, according to the developers, should help the driver use navigation, radio, smartphone connection and various other features. For control, a sort of design of two rotating rings and a mini touch panel is provided. But, frankly, this system is absolutely incomprehensible. What to turn, where to press, how to go to another menu item from the first. We didn't find any clues on the display. In this regard, the solutions of the “European Seven” in the form of a simple touch display look more rational. Although, when driving on uneven roads, getting your finger to the right place on the screen is quite a quest.
You can, of course, switch the music on the steering wheel. There is also a button to activate adaptive cruise control.
As we have already mentioned in this material, shifting gears in the new MAN TGX is now, although unusual, but has become more convenient. You can set the direction of movement using the steering column switch. The same one, if anyone remembers, was implemented in the legendary Soviet bus LiAZ-677. Only there is a classic machine gun, and here it is a “robot”. And, by the way, the new generation. By the way, although the gearbox here is called MAN Tipmatic 12, it is the ZF TraXon familiar to many truck drivers. There are no complaints about it while driving. Moreover, a button has been implemented to switch the “robot” into a regular manual gearbox.
There is an EasyStart hill start assistance system. To activate it, you need to press the corresponding button on the dashboard. And then, within three seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal, he will have time to move his foot to the gas pedal.
The tractor is also equipped with a rear differential lock and a rocking system. The latter is needed in order to pull the car out of the place where it has stalled. The driver needs to press it and intermittently accelerate. And the computer will switch the box to the “forward” or “backward” position for swinging.
A shutdown button was placed nearby behind the road markings so that the system would not emit an unpleasant squeak if road workers “carelessly” applied paint or plastic to the asphalt. Nearby is a button for compensating for rubber deformation. It works as follows: when coupled with a loaded semi-trailer, the rear tires are compressed, and when the tractor is uncoupled, the tires are straightened and the vehicle becomes higher. And according to the standards, the height of the vehicle should not exceed 4 meters. To stay within these limits, the driver presses a button and the air bags press the car to the ground.
The computer will not allow the tractor to accelerate faster than 90 km/h. This limitation comes from the factory. Although the power is enough for much greater values. You can remove the limit manually, but then the car will lose its warranty. Separately, a deep bow to the designers for the suspension. When driving over bumps, the driver does not bounce in the seat like a ball. And things remain calm. Here, not only the air suspension plays a role, but the spring shock absorbers of the cabin itself.
General Director of MAN Truck and Bus in Russia Jan Eichinger presents the new MAN TGX
Cabin XXL
This is the top version of the MAN truck tractor. This cabin is so high that the manufacturer has provided additional windows in the upper part (for better penetration of daylight). This cabin has two bunks. The top one can recline, although not 90 degrees (as on the Renault T-series), but 50 degrees. The top shelf is equipped with gas stops. But on the bottom there are none. Lifting this shelf is much more difficult.
The XXL cabin must have a refrigerator. It's quite roomy. Here you can store a one and a half liter bottle of water in an upright position. But drivers say that it cools unevenly. Ice forms in the area of the side and back walls, but in the area of the lid the temperature barely reaches five degrees Celsius. The height of the top cabin is more than two meters. This is one of the most spacious cabins of all the European Big Seven trucks.
The driver's seat is organized taking into account ergonomics. Everything you need is at hand. At the top there is a walkie-talkie and a tachograph, which you can reach without leaving the seat. There are also two more plugs nearby in MAN. The Toll Collect system (toll payment for roads in Germany) is installed in one of them.
The steering wheel is quite comfortable, with a pleasant grip. All the necessary buttons are here. You can remotely adjust cruise control, raise or lower engine speed, and also access the on-board computer menu. The instrument panel contains more than just a speedometer and tachometer. Here, the digital display displays information that is very important for the driver - work and rest modes. The electronics show in real time how much time the driver has traveled after a pause, as well as the total driving time over two weeks. There is a small ledge on the center console where you can place a tea or coffee mug. There is a drawer at the bottom. A little higher is a small glove compartment with a 12-volt cigarette lighter. The mirrors in MAN are quite large. There are six of them here.
The newest MAN TGX. Let's understand the details
A little over a year ago, we already told you what the new generation of heavy trucks MAN TGX and MAN TGS are – their world premiere took place on February 11, 2022 in Bilbao, Spain. But it was rather an acquaintance with the concept of these promising cars. Now, when they have begun to replenish the fleets of Russian carriers, it is time to understand in detail how exactly the new cars differ from the previous generation cars. Moreover, the developers make no secret of the fact that basically the cabins, power units, and chassis of the newcomers remain the same. Then what has changed?
Before answering this question, a few words need to be said about why MAN Truck and Bus needed to carry out a deep modernization of heavy vehicles. The point here is this. At the turn of the decade, the so-called digitalization began to play an increasingly significant role in the global road transport industry. It inexorably penetrates into all transport processes, affecting the organization of transportation, monitoring its implementation, document flow, building logistics schemes, and service. Thus, market demand is gradually shifting towards so-called connected trucks with powerful telematics capabilities, and those automakers that failed to catch this trend in time are destined to fade into the background in the near future.
Creating connected trucks is impossible without developing a modern digital platform for them, which will support and interconnect many electronic systems, both existing and those that will appear in the near future. This is the platform that MAN Truck and Bus specialists developed - it became the core of the update of the company’s heavy trucks. A characteristic feature of the mentioned digital platform is the introduction of an innovative Ethernet bus, which, due to data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gb/s, ensures the highest possible performance of peripheral devices (the data transfer speed of the previously used CAN bus was only 1 Mb/s). It is important that the new architecture directly uses only those blocks that are necessary for the current transport solution. The transition to the use of an Ethernet bus increases the performance of the digital platforms of the new generation of Manov heavy trucks, which is critical in modern conditions.
We especially note that the MAN Pride telematics service, which became one of the first “swallows” of the upcoming all-encompassing digitalization of transportation, is available not only to European, but also to our customers. It is developed on the basis of the Russian version of the platform provided by the local partner MTBR, and can be installed at any official dealer of the brand operating in Russia. It is important that MAN Pride can be quickly adapted to changing regulatory requirements. In a word, the digitalization of promising Manov trucks has been carried out in full. However, in addition to the use of modern electronics and advanced software, the new generation of MAN TGX and MAN TGS also differs from the previous generation of vehicles in other, fresh technical solutions that affect their characteristics. The flagship MAN TGX highway stands out especially in this regard.
Let's start with the cockpit. Yes, its frame has not undergone significant changes, but even with a quick glance, one cannot help but see that both the exterior and interior of the new generation trucks look different. Due to what? The more expressive design of the radiator lining and front bumper, as well as the modified contours of the headlights, contributed to the refreshed appearance. Moreover, these innovations have not only stylistic, but also practical significance associated with improving aerodynamic characteristics. For example, redesigned fins on the air intake lining more efficiently redirect incoming air flow to and over the engine radiator, and additional longitudinal linings along the doors reduce turbulence in the air flowing around the cabin, thereby reducing contamination of the lower part of its sides. In any case, the handles and bottom of the doors now splash less when driving in slushy weather. This is also the purpose of the lower side deflectors of the front bumper - the incoming air flow enters through them and exits through the first side steps, creating a kind of air curtain that protects the lower part of the cabin from dirt settling.
Since we touched on the head optics, it should be mentioned that it can be ordered in three options. This is a set of halogen headlights and running lights familiar to cars of previous generations, an intermediate solution in the form of halogen headlights and LED running lights, and also the most innovative solution: LED headlights and running lights. As you can see, xenon headlights are a thing of history. In the last of the above combinations, the headlights have the lowest energy consumption, longer service life and a quarter longer range. At the customer's request, the front optics, including the lower fog lights, can be covered with protective grilles.
The aerodynamics of the road train are improved by spoilers located on the roof and on the sides behind the wide cabs of medium and high height. Wide – this means 2440 mm wide, because MAN heavy-duty trucks intended for construction and regional transportation are equipped with standardized narrowed cabs with a width of 2240 mm. In order to reduce resistance to the oncoming air flow, the shape of the side mirror housing has also been changed. Another nuance regarding the tallest, and therefore most voluminous, cabin of the MAN TGX: the dimensions of its windshield are now made the same as those of cabs with a lower roof - unification! In addition, the small windows above the doorways disappeared from this cabin, and the windows located behind the doors in all cabins without exception became fake: the glass was replaced with black-painted stampings. Side visibility is improved due to some offset of the side mirror pillars. In addition, in order to increase the visual coverage area, the shape of the reflective elements of these mirrors has been changed.
What has changed inside the cabins? The dashboard has not just become different - it is divided into two levels: upper and lower. Control bodies are concentrated on the first, and management bodies on the second. A logical solution: the upper level is located exactly in the viewing area of the driver monitoring the road situation, and the lower level is within the reach of his hands. The instrument panel can now be made in electronic form: in fact, it is an image of the speedometer and tachometer displayed on the display. Between them or below them, various information is shown on the same display, such as the distance to the vehicle in front.
At the top of the center console there is another display with the widest functionality: it displays a wide variety of information, from multimedia settings to maps with driving routes. The driver controls this monitor using the MAN SmatrSelect system. This is a disc selector mounted on the tide of the center console with large and small rotary rings. Below the mentioned display is a row of quick access buttons that are programmable by the driver to control the most frequently used functions.
The steering column of the new generation MAN has become adjustable within a wider range: the movement in reach has increased by 30 mm, in the angle of inclination - by 14 degrees. In addition, she now has a parking position. That is, in this position, the steering column is set strictly vertically (and the steering wheel, accordingly, is strictly horizontal). The longitudinal movement of the air-sprung driver's seat has been increased by 50 mm (up to 230 mm), which is offered in two versions: standard or with adjustable lumbar support and shoulder girdle. An electric parking brake can be ordered as an option - its compact lever is located on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. Interestingly, when you move the gear selector to neutral and remove the ignition key, this brake is automatically activated. And it turns off automatically when you start moving in gear.
Another very important nuance, taking into account our climatic conditions, concerns ensuring comfortable work for the driver in the cabin: the new generation of cars has received more powerful air conditioning and a liquid heater. Moreover, the heater is offered in two versions. The first, with a power of 4 kW, heats only the liquid circulating through the climate control system circuit. That is, it works exclusively to heat the cabin. And the second, 6-kilowatt, supplies heat not only to it, but also to the engine, making it easier to start in cold weather. And in order to better retain heat, thereby reducing fuel consumption for heating the cabin both while driving and while parked, the cars received additional thermal insulation, the elements of which are built into the side and rear walls. At the same time, the developers have also strengthened the sound insulation of the cabin - customers of the new generation MAN are offered a so-called acoustic package that is more effective than its predecessors. Additional sound insulation elements are located under the steering wheel, in the footwell, in the rear wall of the cab and inside the side walls.
Concluding the review of the cabin of the new MAN trucks, we note the Easy Control panel that has become available as an option. We are talking about four grouped buttons located at the bottom of the inner door trim: one is for the hazard warning lights, and the purpose of the others is selected by the driver at his own discretion. For example, such a button can be assigned to be responsible for starting and stopping the engine. Easy Control is needed so that when working outside the truck, the driver does not have to constantly climb into the cab to activate or disable any necessary functions or systems.
Now let's talk about the power line. As a rule, the MAN TGX is equipped with one of two in-line 6-cylinder diesel engines: the 10.5-liter D2066 or the 12.4-liter D2676. The first is offered in 360, 400 and 440 hp variants, the second in 480 or 540 hp variants. The MAN TGS has the same set of engines, expanded to include the 320-horsepower modification D2066. And under the cab of the top-end version of the MAN TGX, you can optionally install the heavy-duty D3876 with a displacement of 15.2 liters and developing 640 hp. True, it will no longer meet the environmental standard Euro-5, but Euro-6. With it, as well as with other engines used for the MAN TGX and MAN TGS, the MAN TipMatic 12 automated 12-speed gearbox is combined in various variations. The power unit operates within the framework of several preset programs that set the vehicle's driving modes and the logic of switching its transmission stages - each of these programs is selected by the driver in accordance with the type or conditions of transportation. In addition to the drive axle with a gear ratio of 2.85, the new generation of tractors has another drive axle available for installation, the gear ratio of which has been reduced to 2.31. All other things being equal and the same component base, this bridge allows you to reduce the engine speed by an average of 100 min -1 . And a decrease in speed, as is known, leads to a decrease in fuel consumption.
Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude that in the process of creating a new generation of trucks, MAN Truck and Bus engineers worked in three main areas. The first is the construction of a modern digital platform for bringing connected cars to the market; second – maximum improvement of ergonomics and comfort of the driver’s workplace; the third is the improvement of aerodynamics and transmission in order to increase efficiency. By the way, how much progress have you made in the third direction? The developers claim that as a result of all the software, technical and aerodynamic tweaks, the fuel consumption of the new generation MAN heavy trucks was reduced by up to 8% compared to their predecessors.
Timur Troparev
MAN of the new generation. Facts and figures
Did you know that the launch of a new generation of MAN trucks on the market has become the company’s most ambitious and large-scale project in the last two decades? 2.1 thousand employees took part in it, the total time spent was 12 million man-hours, of which 167 thousand hours were spent on design development alone. As part of the project, 2.8 million lines of program code were written. To determine the technical appearance and characteristics of promising trucks, 300 company clients from 16 countries and more than 700 drivers were surveyed. Test car samples covered 4 million km during test drives. Investments in the production site of the main MAN Truck and Bus plant in Munich during the transition to the production of a new generation of vehicles amounted to about 100 million euros. An additional €85 million was invested in a new paint shop for cabins located at the same location.
The first Russian contract for the new generation MAN
The first in our country to have new generation MAN trucks in its fleet was Intra Logistics LLC. This company, which has been operating in the cargo transportation market for 13 years, in mid-April received four of the latest MAN TGX long-haul trucks with GM cabs - this is a wide cab with a sleeping bag and a medium roof level. Today, the Intra Logistics mono-brand fleet consists of 56 MAN TGX and MAN TGS truck tractors.
The resulting vehicles are equipped with two fuel tanks: the right one holds 680 liters, the left one – 250 liters of fuel. The transmission supports the MAN EfficientRoll function, which allows the transmission to switch to neutral mode on descents in order to increase efficiency. All four are connected to the MAN Pride telematics service. It is interesting that the MAN TGX from a recent delivery to Intra Logistics became the first in the world to deliver a new family of trucks to the carrier that meet the Euro-5 environmental standard.
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Driver's seat
The seat in the MAN is air suspended. Can be adjusted in height, rigidity, and also in the level of backrest tilt. Additionally, two armrests are provided. By the way, the seat belt is integrated directly into the backrest. It is very convenient to reach for it. And if the driver forgot to buckle up, a sound indicator will tell him about it. But this is not always convenient. When approaching a loading or unloading point and after receiving documents (when you need to leave the salon), this system will beep wildly as soon as the car moves more than five kilometers per hour. But constantly wearing a seat belt during this period is not an option.
Specifications
Man TGX is equipped with different engines. But the most popular is the inline six. The base engine is 10 and a half liters. This modification is designated 18.400. Man TGX of this version develops a power of 400 horsepower. But that's not all. There is also a version with 440 horsepower. The Man TGX 18.440 engine has a volume of 12.4 liters. Also popular in Europe is the MAN with 480 horsepower. What is noteworthy is that this power is realized on the same six-cylinder engine with the same combustion chamber volume. What's the secret? It’s simple - the Germans “spinned” the turbine, thanks to which the technical characteristics increased significantly.
The top-end and rarest engine is a diesel unit with 680 horsepower. This is a 16.2 liter engine. Such MAN is practically never found in commercial companies. By the way, this unit has eight cylinders arranged in a V-shape.
It is worth noting that the service life of the above motors is more than two million kilometers. These engines have remained virtually unchanged since the days of MAN TGA and have already proven their reliability to everyone.
Transmission
Man TGX Euro 6 is equipped with a 16-speed manual transmission. The gearbox for these trucks is manufactured by ZF. The transmission is equipped with a CommonShift hydraulic drive. And the lever itself controls the box through two cables. How are gears changed in such a box? Everything is very simple here. The gear shift diagram is on the handle. In fact, there are only four provisions. However, to switch to a higher range of gears (fifth and higher), you need to move the flag under the handle up. You can change gears without pressing the pedal. Its function can be performed by a small button located on the lever. True, you can only use it while moving (preferably at a speed of more than 40 kilometers per hour).
Truck interior
The German company decided to present its new MAN TGX in three different cab models:
- Cabin XL. In terms of design features, this type of truck is the most compact. Despite this, the driver is provided with the same comfort as in other cab forms, but with some other ergonomic indicators. Even access to the bed, which is located behind the seats, is quite convenient. The manufacturer recommends this type of vehicle for not very long regional transportation.
- Cabin XLX. This modification of the truck is slightly larger. The driver in the cab can even stand up to his full height. The interior of this type of car itself is more pleasant and spacious. This is due not only to the additional space, but also to the possibility of placing things in drawers and on special shelves. This version of the cabin is equipped with one bed, but if necessary, you can order the installation of a second one.
- Cabin XXL. This version of the truck has the largest capacity. It is believed that this type of vehicle is one of the largest in size that transports goods between cities and countries in Europe. This modification of the MAN TGX is distinguished not only by space, but also by a significant improvement in comfort. The internal height of the cabin reaches two meters.
All of the above types of cabins are suitable for intercity flights and long trips. It is believed that the longer the driver has to spend on the road, the more spacious he needs to work in the car.
Multimedia system
The MAN Media Truck (MMT) Advanced multimedia system allows you to use a number of practical functions: viewing traffic news; Thanks to audio support, the driver can enjoy music while driving using the audio system. The Traffic Message Channel (TMC) traffic information channel is also integrated here.
Among other things, the MMT can be supplemented with options, namely: a navigation system, a module for hands-free calls, Bluetooth and an advanced audio system with a subwoofer on board. A special addition is the control of the tractor using an infrared remote control. Additionally, a telephone is built into the multimedia system.
And of course, Russian-speaking drivers can rest assured - the system has a Russian language for the interface. In addition to the main sensors, it consists of an audio system and a display menu. And the MAN TGX has acquired a couple of interesting technological innovations. For example, radar sensors that monitor the dimensions of a car on sharp turns. There are so many electronics that it will take more than one week to get used to it.
Cabin Disadvantages
As for the cons, there are not many of them. Among the shortcomings are hard and easily scratched plastic in the cabin, as well as hard-to-close doors (they are quite heavy). In addition, the button for turning on the autonomous heater is located only on the front panel and is not duplicated in the sleeping area. The unit itself heats well (from two places at once - under the driver's and passenger's seats), but the air dries out a lot. As a result, you have to open the windows slightly to get some ventilation. Drivers often complained that after sleeping with the windows closed, they had a headache in the morning. You can open the hatch, but if it rains, all the water gets inside. By the way, this drawback is eliminated in the middle cabin. Here the hatch is hidden behind the spoiler and can be opened in absolutely any weather.
Suspension
Depending on the configuration, the Man TGX Euro 6 can have full leaf spring, combined or air suspension. But often the second type is used on long-haul trucks.
So, there are four air cylinders at the rear, and a spring leaf at the front (don’t be surprised, there is only one). This design ensures high reliability and smooth operation, and does not require expensive maintenance. By the way, the cabin itself is sprung on two more cushions. Therefore, the driver practically does not feel the difference between these types of suspensions.
Advantages and disadvantages
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Clearance adjustment
The main tractor can change the ground clearance position thanks to the control panel located to the left of the driver's seat. So, you can set the minimum or maximum position, depending on the need (for example, when hitching a trailer). The suspension quickly takes the desired position. Everything happens in a matter of seconds. If we talk about the range, the suspension can be lowered nine centimeters down or raised twenty centimeters higher relative to the transport position. These settings are saved in the on-board computer, after which they can be reused.
ETS 2
By the way, this car is popular not only among carriers, but also among gamers. Man TGX is present in Euro Truck Simulator. In the game you can drive this truck tractor, feeling like a real truck driver. What does ETS 2 Man TGX look like in the game? The reader can see a photo of this tractor in a computer simulator below.
The car has a realistic design and interior. Anyone can download the Man TGX mod for Euro Truck Simulator on specialized forums. Well, let's get back to the review.
First impressions
The golden-colored cabin is a tribute to MAN's symbol, the lion. As representatives of MAN Truck & Bus say, the radiator grill here looks like a lion’s mustache, the black trim on top is a nose. Straight avant-garde.
For those who did not notice the lion in the appearance of the MAN TGX, a life-size doll reminded of the symbol
Compared to the previous generation MAN TGX, the new cab has a radically redesigned top section, side pillars and rear section. This was done for the sake of safety. The windshield of the high and medium cabs has been unified - now they are the same. This made it possible to reduce heat loss and slightly reduce the cost of replacement. And the cabin structure itself was raised 7 cm above the power unit. The radiator grille was also changed, changing the air supply path. This also contributed to the aerodynamics of the tractor.
“We also reviewed the optics. If previously halogen headlights and xenon were used, now halogen and LEDs are used. This increased the range of the light flux by 25% and the width by 60%. The color temperature is about 6000 K, which is close to natural light,” said Anton Tropilin, head of the training department at MAN Truck and Bass LLC.
Optical optics can be halogen, LED or combined
The location of the rear-view mirrors has also undergone changes; they have been moved towards the doors, reducing the “blind spots” near the A-pillars of the cab. In fact, the mirrors themselves have become a little narrower, again for the sake of aerodynamics. For this purpose, the side fairings were also changed. They still fold inwards.
Each door had a small metal protrusion added to the bottom. According to the designers, this not only contributes to better resistance to oncoming air, but also protects the gaps from dirt.
By the way, on the sides of the cabin, where the “sleeping bag” is, there is now no glass through which the driver could admire the views. From the outside it looks like it's a tinted window, but it's just a false trim on the metal. As MAN Truck & Bus representatives explained, this also reduces heat loss inside. Looking ahead, let's say that there is no longer a hatch in the roof of the large cabin. The glass remains welded into the body.
There are also changes in the engine compartment: the cabin is higher above the engine, the wiring is thinner, the air intake is in a different direction
In the new cabin, another locker was added, now there are two of them - one on each side.
Behind the cab, everything is standard: pneumatic and electrical harnesses for connecting a semi-trailer, a Jost control system, two huge fuel tanks, batteries on the left side behind the cab.
A D2066 power unit of Euro-5 environmental class with a capacity of 440 hp was placed under the cabin. With.
SSU traditionally from JOST
