New MAN and a block
Page 18
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by Toby Clark • MAN has shown the revised F2000 and M2000 trucks it will launch at the Hanover Show in September; they are due to reach the UK next January. The newcomers look little different from existing models, but they feature revised engine ratings, three new six-cylinder engines and a number of refinements designed to improve fuel economy.
Engine ratings for the F2000 range now progress in 50hp steps from a nominal 310hp to 460hp, with the 18-litre vee-10 engine still available for those who need 600hp. The two lowest ratings—now badged as the 314 and 364—are covered by a 12-litre six-cylinder engine with the same cylinder dimensions as the 10-litre five-cylinder unit that it replaces.
Legislation
MAN says that changes in length legislation make the fivecylinder design superfluous: the move also improves refinement and simplifies stockholding and machining. MAN's UK manag ing director, Alistair Williamson, welcomes the new engines: "The 360 represents a big chunk of the UK market," he points out. "We weren't in the game before, but we're looking to increase our share in the upto-400hp market," The two higher-rated models have a newly designed fourvalve head, and the 464 has a longer stroke-166mm rather than 155mm—to give a swept
volume of 12.8 litres. These engines are claimed to be "prepared in principle for compliance with Euro-3" emissions regulations. In practice, however, they will also need exhaust gas recirculation.
The middleweight M2000 range also receives a new engine: the D0836LF. It has the same cylinder dimensions as the current 6.9-litre unit but is an all-new design, rated at a nominal 280hp. Like the other new models it features electronic diesel control, although MAN has not moved to unit injectors. Company chairman Dr Klaus Schubert says: "We have tested these, but a common-rail system has a future."
The F2000's choice of gearboxes has been revised. Eaton S-Series and ZF Ecosplit synchromesh boxes are still available, but they are joined by the Eaton Fuller Autoshift, a fully automatic version of the 16speed S-Series. This replaces the semi-automatic Eaton SAMT-B box; it will add around £3,000 to the list price.
MAN will also offer ZF's Servoshift system for easier gearchanges (see Vehicle News Extra, page 14).
Eaton and ZF 16-speed boxes will be available in direct-drive top gear versions, combined with revised drive-axle ratios, for long-haul applications where the change could improve fuel consumption. Another improvement in efficiency should come when the current two-cylinder compressors are replaced by single-cylinder designs in January 1999. MAN claims that: "All in all...consumption in the long-haul fleet will on average be cut by 5%."
Maintenance
Service intervals are up; D28 engines used in long-haul applications now only need a change of synthetic oil every 80,000km. A new AutoCheck display on the dashboard monitors the truck's electronic systems and provides information about necessary maintenance. An immobiliser and anti-theft system are also included, and ABS becomes standard on the M2000 and L2000 ranges,
The F2000 cabs look little different, though the grille is revised and more effective wind deflectors are fitted. On certain models the cab is raised by 120mm, as on the existing 603 model. this will be standard on the 18.414 and 18.464 tractive units in the UK. The bread-and
butter 18.364 will have a narrower cab at normal height. There is no sign of the extra-high flatfloor "mega-cab" spotted earlier this year (CM 1-7 January); Schubert hinted that it might appear in two years' time.