Boost for the middle MAN
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• MAN is set to spice up its M90 middleweight range by using the new high-power version of its 6.9-litre engine shown at the Amsterdam Show last month.
The uprated 198kW (266hp) engine fills the gap between the current 169kW (227hp) version used in the 17.232 M90 line-up, and the heavier 198kW 10-litre diesel fitted to the larger F90 trucks, and as such forms an ideal basis for more competitive lightweight drawbar and 32tonne tractor chassis for the M90 range.
MAN brand manager Euan Harron confirms that the new engine is "definitely being considered' for the UK, although he stresses that the engineering for a RHD installation is not finalised, and there is therefore no planned introduction date for this market.
The more powerful M90 drawbar and tractor chassis (likely to be badged .272, the same as the 10-litre F90s) would give MAN a competitor for rivals like the recently uprated Volvo FL7, Scania's P93, and the Leyland Daf 2700, as well as home-grown products from AWD, ERF, and Foden using Cummins' C-Series engine.
Compared with the unit used in the current .232 model, the new D0826LF (04) engine gets 17% more power and 18% more torque (peaking at 1,000Nm/ 7381bf0; the main credit for this goes to increased turboboost modulated at high revs by a wastegate valve.
Further up the MAN F90 range, Harron confirms that both the factory high-roof conversion and low-height tractive units will go on sale here in the third quarter of the year (although no price details are currently available).
The low-height tractor was first shown as a 17.322 at the Amsterdam Show this year (CM 13-19 Feb), and uses 285/60 R 22.5 tyres, rear air suspension and a double-reduction axle to achieve a fifth-wheel height of 960mm. El MAN is showing a City Truck prototype at the Hanover Show in May The six-tonner features a four-cylinder engine, auto transmission, four-wheel steering and air/hydraulic suspension.