Next-gen MAN truck range unveiled 

Penske Australia has pulled the covers off its revamped MAN truck range, with what the company claims as the first “newly developed MAN truck generation in two decades” presented to media, dealers and customers at an official launch in Brisbane earlier this week.

Attended by Penske Automotive Group's Executive Vice President, Global Commercial Vehicles & Power Systems, Randall Seymore, and MAN Head of Cluster and MAN Australasia Managing Director, Thomas Hemmerich, among other senior MAN executives and staff, Penske Australia unveiled a raft of new trucks at the RACQ Mobility Centre at Mount Cotton in Brisbane, in a multi-day event that showcased the range in a variety of configurations from lighter models through to a B-double loaded to 60 tonnes.

Following on from the new range's rollout that commenced in Europe in 2020, the new-look line-up remains split into the familiar TGX (long haul), TGS (local and intrastate), and lighter TGL/TGM (local and vocational) families, and continues with D38 (15.2-litre six-cylinder), D26 (12.4-litre six-cylinder), D20 (10.5-litre) and D08 (6.9-litre) engine lines.

The higher-output trucks utilise MAN’s 12-speed TipMatic automated manual transmission, essentially ZF's latest-gen TraXon unit, which is now operated via an ergonomic stalk located off the right of the steering column.

The new-generation product ushers in a wide raft of updates and improvements, collectively targeting the four pillars that underpin the new range: driver fit, economy and efficiency, reliability and uptime, and the backing of a strong MAN network.

Arguably headlining the new line-up is an overhaul of MAN's range of cabs, the revitalised line-up now benefitting from more streamlined aerodynamics, upgraded interiors, and a major lift in technology, refinement and comfort.

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At the heavy, linehaul-focused end of the range, the new MAN TGX is available in a 6x4 format in a choice of two engines (the Euro 5 compliant D26 and Euro 6e compliant D38) and three power ratings (540hp, 580hp, and 640hp), at a GVM of 26 tonnes.

Drive is fed to the rear axles via’s MAN TipMatic 12-speed AMT.

While the same basic cab dimensions remain, with a width of 2440mm and a length of 2280mm, the old cab model names have made way for new ones, ranging from the largest GX through to the medium height GM to the standard height GN. Both the GX and GM can support an optional second bunk, while the GN can accommodate a single bunk.

Dropping down a little in size (but still at the same 26-tonne GVM), the new MAN TGS is suitable for local, intrastate and general distribution work, and comes with either MAN’s D20 or D26 engines.

Available in 6x4 and 4x2 formats, the MAN TGS is available across 360hp, 400hp, 440hp, 480hp and 540hp ratings, and comes in a choice of two standard-height cabs: the single-bunk TN (2240mm wide x 2280mm long) or day cab NN (2240mm wide x 1880mm long), which still features generous storage space behind the seating.

At the lightest end of the new MAN truck spectrum, the MAN TGL and TGM are powered by MAN’s D08 engine, with a choice of three power ratings (250hp, 290hp, and 320hp) and four GVMs (13 tonnes, 15 tonnes, 18 tonnes, 23 tonnes, and 26 tonnes).

Three cabs are on offer here: the TN (single bunk, 2440mm wide x 2280mm long), CC (day cab, 2240mm wide x 1620mm long), and DN (crew cab, 2240mm wide x 2790mm long). MAN says the TN and CC are ideally suited to local work and distribution freight, while the DN is a great match for construction, tilt tray and municipal services. The DN crew cab has seating for six, with an option to go to seven.

MAN has invested significantly in upgrading the new truck generation’s cabs with a range of cutting-edge features, dependent on the cab and truck model. The optional fully digital instrumentation with a 12.3-inch colour display is complemented by a further 12.3-inch (or 7-inch) infotainment display; they're both positioned high on the same horizontal plane to ensure the driver maximises their focus on the road.

The dash is angled around the driver to ensure all controls are within easy reach, there's a new multifunction steering wheel with greater functionality, and the infotainment display features MAN's new SmartSelect interface.

This new SmartSelect control employs a small double wheel with hand rest to afford positive pinpoint control of things like satellite navigation and multimedia, and renders the need for a touchscreen – which can be distracting, difficult to use on a bumpy road, and a nuisance to keep clean – obsolete.

MAN says it has “reimagined the cab from floor to ceiling”, with a range of cab storage options on offer to make life on the road that bit easier (up to 1148 litres of capacity in the largest GX cab).

Cab access has been improved via a larger aperture, improved and more centrally located steps, and a door that now opens to nearly 90 degrees, while the air-adjustable steering wheel can be placed in an upright position to further improve access.

The new TipMatic control, meanwhile, can be used in automatic or manual modes, affords drive mode selection and operates MAN's multistage auxiliary brakes. And MAN's new EasyControl features sees four buttons placed low on the driver's door, allowing him or her to operate the four chosen functions from outside the cab.

And the placement of all the controls, which are separated from the instrument and infotainment displays, are all designed to maximise the driver’s focus on the road and minimise distraction.

In larger TGX cabs, the Australian-made 160mm-thick mattress also features an adjustable headrest, so it effectively doubles as a couch for reading or watching television. There’s a dedicated control panel in the sleeping area to operate things like lights, door locks and heating, while vehicle data and perimeter cameras can also be viewed.

The new Climatronic climate control maintains a set temperature but also features different zones for more tailored settings, and whether it’s climate control or the manual air-conditioning, there are new, optimally placed vents throughout the cab.

Drivers are now cosseted by fully adjustable Recaro seats, while the new Vario passenger seat can be swiveled or even folded down to form a table with cupholder.

The new MAN truck generation also receives a significant lift in safety, with drivers now protected by an SRS airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioner, along with a reinforced cab that can move rearward along the chassis by up to 750mm in the event of a collision, thereby mitigating some of the collision’s impact.

An exhaust valve brake (EVB) enhances engine braking significantly while, in D38-powered TGX 580/640hp models, MAN’s Turbo EVBec engine brake delivers up to 840hp/630kW of braking power. MAN says it’s the most powerful of its type in Australia.

Staples like stability control and traction control can be complemented by autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, hill start assist, and an emergency stopping signal that activates the truck’s hazard light in an emergency braking situation.

Meanwhile MAN’s BrakeMatic system allows the driver to tailor how the truck brakes in certain situations, effectively delivering the most effective and efficient mix of engine brakes and service brakes.

Other notable features include adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, cornering lights, and – during highway travel, when certain conditions are met – dynamic steering that automatically centres the truck in its lane (this feature can be deactivated, if desired).

Penske Australia says the new MAN truck generation comes backed by a range of repair and maintenance contracts, MAN’s Opti-Connect telematics solution, and 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the truck’s warranty.

MAN is supported by a network of over 60 company-owned and independent dealers across Australia and New Zealand, and backed by the Penske Distribution Centre – a Brisbane-based parts supplier with an inventory of over 1.3 million parts.

Craig Lee, Penske Australia’s Executive General Manager, On-Highway, said he was thrilled to present the new generation of MAN trucks.

“We are delighted to introduce the all-new MAN truck generation to our customers and the Australian market,” he said.

“We’re confident that the new MAN truck generation will redefine trucking. And as we partner with our dealer network to continue to roll out our opportunities for new and long-standing customers to climb into the cab, we’re sure they will also be convinced that the new TG has redefined the Australian market.”

Penske Australia says it's confident the new generation of trucks will be warmly received here, and in fact the company says it's targeting a doubling of its market share here over the next few years.

"That's our goal; our aspiration is that we double our market share by 2025," said Mr Lee.

"We make no secret that we are exceptionally ambitious with this truck."

That would represent a shifting of gears for a brand whose sales have remained relatively subdued in this corner of the world. At the end of the first half of 2022, MAN was sitting in 14th place in overall truck sales, with 207 new examples of the brand having been registered to the end of June.

Some 166 new MAN trucks had been registered in the heavy-duty segment, seeing the brand slot into 13th place for the first half of the year, while 41 new MAN trucks were registered in the medium-duty segment, putting the company in sixth place.

However, with the benefits and improvements ushered in by MAN's new truck generation, it seems it has a better than fighting chance of expanding the brand's influence here in Australia, in what is one of the most competitive markets in the world.

The first examples of MAN's new-generation trucks are slated to arrive in Australian dealerships in mid to late September. Click here for more information, and keep an eye out for our first review of the new product, which we'll publish shortly.