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Driving impressions
Page 19
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For our driving impressions, we headed off to the Seven Sisters estate in the upper Swansea Valley. Best known as the main spectator stage on the Rally of Great Britain, this largely deserted open-cast mining site features 4,000 acres of challenging off-road terrain. Before reaching the off-road site, though, we tried the MAN on 30 miles of asphalt, including a short section of the M4 at maximum speed. Given its riff
road credentials, the MAN proved remarkably civilised on the highway, with only a little more bounce than normal from the oversized tyres giving the game away.
The tyres also provided a welcome surprise, as we had expected their aggressive all-terrain tread pattern to howl at speed, but we were pleased to find they were no noisier than regular road treads.
We were loaded with concrete ballast close to 18 tonnes, but performance from the 21Thp was quite adequate, although the optional 2T6hp unit would have left a bit more iii reserve. The flexible delivery of the 850Nm of torque meant that most of the journey, even through the crowded villages encountered, was easily achievable in the top half of the double-H box.
Only on the steep climb out of Abercrave were we left wishing for the chance to take a split. Once we got offroad, however, there were plenty of gears. In fact, by the time we tried high range's crawler ratio we were wondering what we'd ever need to engage low range for, but it's the ability to be in exactly the right gear for any situation rather than ultimate law gearing that counts.
Once on the serious rough stuff, the MAN became a true revelation. The terrain available at Seven Sisters meant that we couldn't sample any real boggy stuff, although a fairly soft-bottomed lake was shrugged off. On everything else, including some seriously steep loose-surfaced climbs and descents, it got around as easily as a trials bike.
Some pretty serious axle articulation meant that it took a lot to get any of the wheels of the ground, and the diff locks took care of it when we did. The only limitations were the overall size and our reluctance to damage the new truck on overhanging branches, and its approach and departure angles. However, where the front step and the tow bar made contact with the ground, even a 4x4 farm tractor would have had the same limitations.
When we did get slightly grounded and lose traction, it was more the result of driving too gently—again, using duff locks and a bit more power soon had us on our way again. A
good steering lock helps to provide a surprising degree of agility.
With a bit more familiarity, the MAN would be virtually unstoppable. Considering that Western Power's trucks rarely encounter much worse than wet fields, our test demonstrated the MAN's considerable reserves of ability.
As we left Swansea, the new owners felt justified in the knowledge that they'd made the right decision.