MAN'S middleweights range nearly complete
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• With the arrival of its M90 middleweight range last week, German truck builder MAN took another step to completing its current product renewal program, kicked off by the launch of the F90 heavy truck back in 1986 (see Vehicles Extra page 20).
The full M90 line-up comprises 12, 14 and 17-tonne rigids up to 28-tonne GCW lightweight tractors, but for the moment the right-hand-drive M90 range will be restricted to two 17-tonners — the 17.192 with the six-cylinder turbocharged D0826TF engine, and the more powerful 17.232, with the charge-cooled D0826LF unit rated at 169kW (230hp).
The first UK specification M90 will make its debut at the Motor Show next month, with full RHD production starting up in Germany in January.
Commercial Motor was able to drive both versions in Sweden last week. The first was an unladen 17.192 with a box body and a ZF six-speed transmission with a splitter. This is the gearbox that will be offered for drawbar applications in the UK, with a non-splitter version used for solo chassis.
Entry into the lowered "standard" F90 cab is straightforward.
The 17.192's interior is a practical blend of greys and checks which will not show the dirt. All instruments can be clearly seen within the curving main dash and the controls are well positioned, particularly the park brake.
Over a variety of road surfaces the leaf-sprung M90 gave a comfortable ride (air will be optional on the drive axle of UK models), while we found the 2F Senrocom proved extremely positive.
We next tried a more potent 17.232 with a reefer body, loaded up to 14 tonnes GVW. Being intended primarily for drawbar operations, the solo chassis has plenty of power.
For the present MAN-VW is happy to specify its UK M90 17-tonners with the ZF gearbox in six-speed and 12-speed forms, although it is currently evaluating the Eaton 4106 sixspeed transmission as a possible option.
The M90 rigids will feature a day cab as standard with the option of a two-bunk sleeper. Both cabs are 2,280mm wide.
Strong demand for its products throughout Europe has prompted MAN to introduce double-shift working at its Munich truck assembly plant for the first time. MAN says it now has an order backlog worth a million DM (004,000).