MASSIVELY POWERFUL
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F4,' cry industry in recession has talked 'bout "downsizing" the workforce, and . he tipping industry has been hit harder than most. But talk in the nineties is increasingly of "downshifting": that is, having the same number of people doing less work— and making less money. of course. But is there a way of having your cake and eating it? Can you put in less effort but make more money? MAN thinks so, and the company has introduced the mighty 35.403 version of the F2000 tipper chassis to prove the point.
Four hundred horsepower in a 32-tonner is generous, to say the least: the most powerful eight-legger we've tested before was Scania's old 362111) P113MK, about 100i, less powerful than the MAN. That vehicle returned very competitive fuel consumption figures and an excellent average speed, proving that power and productivity are not incompatible.
The SCania met Fun.)-1 regulations, but this MAN is the first 8x4 tipper we've tested that complies with Euro-2 emissions standards and about time, too. The tough new regulations come into force in the next couple of months, but will they mean worse fuel consumpt lot C' MAN has already burnt its Euro-1 boats. si . t I lc company is bound to argue that the IlOW engines are as efficient as ever. Well
identical gearbox • -Eaton's 16-speed S-series synchromesh box. This is not the standard fitting for the MAN, which is usually found with ZF's Ecosplit—but the ratios are similar, so you can take it that performance and economy will be much the same.
The rear end is of course different, with the double-reduction hubs giving a 4.11:1 ratio rather than the alternatives of 4.26 or 3.87. At first glance this looks a bit conservative for optimum fuel economy (the 340hp lveco EuroTrakker that CM tested in July had a 3/9:1 final drive) but the Eaton box provides a useful 0.83 overdrive top gear.
A hefty 400hp is not the only power rating available: the 35.343 uses MAN's 10-litre engine rated at 335hp (250kW), essentially a five-cylinder version of the engine tested here and sharing very similar power and torque characteristics. However, the 35A03 has a 12litre six with an electronically controlled fuel pump, and a classic EDC torque curve: a ruler. straight plateau of torque from 1,0001,50Orpm, dropping off in a steep, almost straight line at either end. The maximum torque figure is not astonishing—it's just a fraction more than the 350hp Cummins L10 can deliver—but the spread of power is excellent, from peak torque at 1,000rpm to peak power at 2.000rpm.
There is a lighter air-suspended variant of the F2000 8x4 chassis, with single-reduction drive axles, but the 35.403VF is the steelsprung "off-road r version, intended for muckaway and other heavy-duty work. It has a 110