MAN’s success in winning the 2008 International Truck of the Year (IToY) competition marked an unprecedented seventh win for the German manufacturer, cementing a victory for six generations of new heavy trucks introduced since the 1980s, with the lightweight TGL thrown in for good measure.
Far from being a one-horse race, the MAN faced stiff competition from the Renault Premium Lander and Iveco’s revised Stralis, but the 20-country strong panel of judges allocated 111 points to the TG, with 77 for Iveco and 55 for Renault.
The new MAN TG series was a three-part proposition. Firstly, it was a replacement for 2001’s winning TGA range in European markets, with the older model being renamed WWor “Worldwide” and production transferred to Poland for export to non-European markets.
Secondly, the new generation “Trucknology” models were differentiated from their predecessor by being split into two distinct ranges, based on their cab sizes: the narrower-cabbed models forming the TGS part of the range, and the wider-cabbed vehicles becoming the TGX range. These featured relatively modest engineering updates matched to a significantly improved cab.
Thirdly, the TGX range saw the introduction of a new flagship model in the form of the mighty 680hp V8, which was Europe’s most powerful road truck at the time.
The TG Series was announced in June 2007, with production commencing in the September – just in time to secure the 2008 IToY prize, which was awarded at the Amsterdam Show in October 2007.
Naturally enough, the new cab received much attention with the interior being restyled with new, more attractive and durable materials, and significantly improved storage space. Externally, the cab featured smoother lines and a high-gloss radiator trim which improved the general appearance of the truck, and particular attention was paid to aerodynamic performance. The A-column, roof contour, air deflector, bumpers and mirrors were all redesigned to claim a 2% reduction in fuel consumption, and a 13% reduction in interior noise.
The TG Series carried over the D26 12.4-litre and D20 10.5-litre engines from 2004, with ratings of 320hp to 540hp in the TGS and 360hp to 540hp in the TGX. Euro-4 engines used an EGR system, with the Euro-5 models initially using an SCR system before the development of a full EGR solution. Both 16-speed manual and 12-speed automated transmissions were offered.
The rear axles received a lighter and more durable connection to the springs and the TGX received a new single-leaf parabolic front spring and an altered steering ratio which provided a much more positive driving experience.
The show-stopping V8 TGX was powered by the D2868 16.2-litre, 680hp engine jointly developed with Liebherr and capable of 3,000Nm of torque. This truck featured an SCR system with the XXL cab being standard on 4×2 tractors.
Words & Pics supplied by Richard Stanier. Credit IToY
