One company, many solutions
One company, many solutions
Last month, MAN Truck & Bus invited the world’s transport media to Austria. The purpose? To give journalists a sneak peek at the vehicles it will display at the IAA. CHARLEEN CLARKE jetted to the Austrian Alps to drive the vehicles, and she reports that while MAN may be just one company, it’s offering many solutions.
We all know that climate change is a massive issue and that something has to be done. We also know that there’s no silver bullet solution. MAN Truck & Bus knows this too, and so it’s developing vehicles featuring many different forms of propulsion – from advanced diesel powerplants to trucks with internal combustion engines that run on hydrogen. Its bus and coach range has been updated too. Here is a rundown on the vehicles that we drove (which visitors to the IAA will see in Hannover next month):
Battery-electric eTruck
The MAN eTruck – which, we were told, is available in over one million possible configuration variants – will, of course, be one of the stars of the company’s stand. All those variants are thanks to the fact that the vehicle comes with up to nine different wheelbases, six cab versions, various engine power classes, a number of battery combinations, various charging connection positions, steered and unsteered trailing axles, and leaf-air and full-air suspension, as well as a number of driving programmes specially tailored to various applications.
With three, four, five, or six batteries, the 18- to 28-tonne MAN eTGX and MAN eTGS offer exceptional flexibility. Available with a choice of 333, 449, or 544hp, the trucks are able to cater to a variety of needs. They are ideally suited for refuse collection vehicles (either rear or side loaders), roll-off and set-down skip loaders (e.g. for construction dump bodies), platform vehicles, three-way tippers, crane tippers for transporting construction materials, snow-clearing vehicles, and lifting work platforms, among many other configurations. Low frame height and short wheelbases can easily be accommodated.
Even with the shortest wheelbase of 3.75m, the eTruck can accommodate six batteries with a capacity of up to 480kWh, and five batteries with up to 400kWh usable capacity. This provides a range of up to 500km in solo operation without the need for intermediate charging, or up to 800km per day for articulated and semi-trailer combinations.
The batteries are built to last, with an expected effective service life of up to 1.6 million kilometres or 15 years, depending on the application type.
D30 PowerLion driveline: diesel isn’t dead!
Given the fact that diesel will still be used to power trucks for many years in Africa, we’re delighted to announce that internal combustion engines powered by diesel are in no way dead. In fact, the engineers continue to work on this technology, aiming to extract maximum efficiencies. This has been achieved with the D30 PowerLion driveline, which promises to reduce fuel consumption by up to 3.7%.
Friedrich Baumann, board member for sales & customer solutions, MAN Truck & Bus SE, explains that the company is most definitely not ditching diesel. “Our new highly efficient PowerLion driveline – with the new D30 engine and the new MAN TipMatic 14 gearbox – is the key to the profitability of our customers’ transport business. It is based on the common engine platform of the Traton Group and is the tangible result of intensive cooperation between our development departments,” he says.
“Even though we see the electric drive as the main technology in road freight transport in the long term, diesel continues to play an important role on the way there,” he continues. “Every litre of fuel we save reduces CO2 emissions and costs for transport companies. This in turn makes it easier for our customers to switch their fleets to zero-emission technologies.”
The new D3066 engine, also known as the D30, is one of the most advanced commercial vehicle engines in the world, boasting a maximum efficiency of over 50% and class-leading fuel consumption. This newly developed engine will replace the previous D26 and D15 engine series in all MAN 4×2 semitrailer tractors, both in standard and low design heights.
The D30 engine comes in six power levels, ranging from 380 to 560hp, with 2,100 to 2,800Nm torque. It is matched to the new MAN TipMatic 14 gearbox, which will soon replace the previous MAN TipMatic 12 gearbox in all standard MAN heavy-duty semitrailer tractors. This new generation is approximately 60kg lighter than its predecessor.
At the IAA, MAN is also introducing a new braking system designed to reduce friction loss in trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes or more. These pneumatically operated disc brakes feature internally ventilated brake disks, ensuring consistently high braking performance and optimal heat dissipation. The new brake lining reset function automatically pushes the brake linings away from the disk using spring elements after the brake is released to eliminate residual friction. This innovation helps to reduce wear, noise, and fuel consumption.
MAN hTGX features hydrogen combustion engine
We reckon internal combustion engines powered by hydrogen will be “a thing” at this year’s IAA (unlike the 2022 show, which spotlighted battery-electric technology). MAN Truck & Bus will be the first European truck producer to launch a small series with a hydrogen combustion engine. The first small series of around 200 units will be delivered to customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, and select non-European countries as early as 2025.
The H45 hydrogen combustion engine, based on the proven D38 diesel engine, is produced at MAN’s engine and battery plant in Nuremberg.
The hydrogen drive is particularly suited to special transport tasks that require a specific axle configuration, or where there is no space for the battery on the frame due to the need for truck body work. The MAN hTGX – which is available in 6×2 and 6×4 axle variants – offers high payloads and maximum ranges of up to 600km.
The H45 hydrogen combustion engine has an output of 383kW (520hp) and 2,500Nm of torque at 900 to 1,300r/min. The direct injection of hydrogen into the engine ensures particularly fast power delivery. With hydrogen compressed to 700 bar (CG H2) and a tank capacity of 56kg, the vehicle can be refuelled in less than 15 minutes. Technically speaking, trucks with hydrogen combustion engines aren’t actually completely emission-free. However, with less than 1g CO2/tkm, the MAN hTGX will fulfil “zero-emission vehicle” criteria under the new planned EU CO2 legislation.
MAN TGE Next Level: the truck among vans
MAN will also be showing the MAN TGE Next Level – known as the truck among vans – at the IAA. Production of the new van started in June this year.
The latest TGE doesn’t look very different to its predecessor, but it actually features numerous innovations. Chief among those are the assistance systems, which now include the Active Lane Guard System, Parking Assist, Fatigue Detection, Traffic Sign Information, Intelligent Speed Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (to name but a few of the impressive features).
The TGE Next Level also comes with many new comfort features: a new dashboard with digital instrumentation and a large MAN Media Van touch display for controlling the vehicle functions and the infotainment system. The extensively revised vehicle electrics and electronics – in combination with the new driver’s workplace and the new and updated assistance systems – raise the MAN TGE to a new level… hence the “Next Level” nickname.
The new generation of control units fitted to the TGE fulfils higher cybersecurity requirements, better protecting it against digital manipulation and unauthorised changes to the vehicle software. The units are also ideally equipped for future digital online services, while another advantage is the ability for over-the-air updates. This eliminates the need for workshop visits for software updates and continuously improves software stability.
Upgraded bus and coach range
We also got behind the wheel of MAN’s latest buses and coaches in Austria. The big news here is that MAN Truck & Bus has completely redesigned its vehicle electronics, introducing a more advanced and efficient platform.
A key upgrade, we were told, is the replacement of the old Power Train Manager (PTM) with the new Central Vehicle Manager (CVM), which boasts double the computing power of its predecessor. The CVM now serves as the central control unit for the drivetrain and acts as the hub for all vehicle control units.
Alongside the new electronics platform, MAN has introduced a completely redesigned digital cockpit for all MAN and Neoplan buses. This new cockpit meets the highest ergonomic standards… and it really looks good too! The fully digital 12-inch driver display offers crisp HD resolution and an easy-to-understand layout with modern 3D views. The new advanced infotainment system, tailored specifically to buses, displays all relevant media functions on a seven-inch colour screen. It can be operated via a control panel, voice control, the multifunction steering wheel, or MAN SmartSelect.
Speaking of MAN SmartSelect, this enables precise, ergonomic, and safe operation of the infotainment system through rotary/push rings and a touchpad. A comfortable folding wrist rest is included to reduce driver fatigue; it’s a feature we have long loved on MAN trucks. Furthermore, the multifunction steering wheel offers numerous adjustment options, with logically grouped control buttons within easy reach to minimise driver distraction.
For the 2024 model year, MAN has expanded its range of assistance and safety systems, taking advantage of the new electronics platform and hardware upgrades. The systems now include:
- MAN SafeStop Assist
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Alcohol Interlock Preparation
- MAN AttentionGuard
- Radar-Based Turning Assistance
- Collision Warning System with Pedestrian Detection
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Automatic Driving Light Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping and Lane Return Assist
- Extended Emergency Brake Assist (EBA+)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Traffic Jam Assist
The 2024 model also introduces the Vehicle Air Suspension Control (VASC) air suspension system, which replaces the previous electronically controlled air suspension. The VASC system uses fewer components and simplifies wiring, thanks to optimised parts and intelligent design. The integrated Smart Pneumatic Actuator (SPA) module communicates directly with the control software via a high-performance CAN bus, eliminating the need for an external control unit. This results in faster signal exchange, quicker lifting and lowering times, and more precise, stepless kneeling.
Finally, a significant update for 2024 is the new MAN D26 coach engine, compliant with Euro 6e emissions standards. Despite an increase of 10hp and around 50Nm of additional torque, the advanced 12.4-litre engine now consumes up to 2.5% less fuel. The EfficientCruise 3 gearshift programme has also been further developed. Available exclusively with the MAN TipMatic 12-speed automated gearbox, this GPS-based system reduces fuel consumption by up to 1% compared to its predecessor. The system now accounts for route topography and infrastructural factors like accidents, exits, or roundabouts up to three kilometres in advance.
So, there you have it: a summary of MAN’s exhibits. See you in Hannover!
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