MAN D38 breaks cover

MAN Truck & Bus has displayed a Euro 6 TGX 26.560 BLS 6x4 prime mover at the Brisbane Truck Show, the vehicle marking the first time an MAN model powered by the company's new D38 engine has been publically shown in this country.

One of four such vehicles, the TGX on show is destined to work as a press test unit. The remaining three are on trial in heavy B-double applications with customers around the country, ahead of the vehicle being released for retail sale at the end of this year.

Mark Mello (pictured), General Manager for MAN Truck & Bus at the company's Australian distributor, Penske Commercial Vehicles, said the D38 engine would unlock a large and lucrative market for the company.

"One of the things we've lacked here is a true competitor in the B-double market," he said.

"In Australia, if you look at the freight task, the majority of freight is carried on B-doubles, and to be a successful player in the B-double market you need a cab-over truck and you need high horsepower."

Mr Mello said that while high-output engines had been available in Europe, they have been in a V8 or V10 format, which can raise issues with front axle weights.

"We're now releasing here a D38 engine, which is a 15.2-litre in-line six-cylinder engine," he said.

"This is a product we've brought in to aim specifically at the B-double market here in Australia."

Mr Mello said MAN has gone down the Euro 6 route with the D38 because of the fuel savings it delivers. The engine relies on a combination of SCR and EGR technology to achieve Euro 6 compliance.

"We're expecting exciting things out of this truck," he said.

"With 560hp and just shy of 2000ftlb of torque, it's aimed exactly where it needs to be for B-double work and efficient operation.

"There are larger horsepower variants available in Europe but it's not our intention here at this time to be racing into a horsepower war. I do not intend to aim this truck at road train markets or super heavy haulage – that's not where we're pitching this truck."