MAN 19.422
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MAN's 19.422 FLS tractor from the Munich truck maker forms part of the revised ECO range of trucks, first seen in the UK at the 1990 NEC show. The .422 (given the 17 prefix in this country) took over from the .362 as the most powerful 12-litre truck in the F90 line-up. As well as useful increases in power and torque, the engine benefited from a round of changes to the combustion, injection and turbocharger systems which were designed to cut emissions.
Our test truck boasted a prototype engine which matched the output of the ECO unit, but with further refinements to satisfy Euro 1 standards. Also fitted was a low-noise package to meet Austrian 80 dB(A) requirements; the relatively new factory high-roof cab conversion; and the optional rear air suspension.
Thus equipped, the 19.422 was the most powerful tractor in our foursome (which allowed it to run the highest gearing), but was also marginally the heaviest, despite the use of alloy rims.
On the road, the Euro 1 treatment certainly did the MAN no harm at all — the 19.422 was both the fastest overall and the most economical.
AERODYNAMIC
With its tall gearing and aerodynamic package well matched to the trailers, the MAN turned in consistently good fuel results on the motorway; its fine 25.531it/100km (11.07mpg) at a constant 80Iun/h shows the potential here. Significantly it also gave second best only to the Scania on the A-roads, despite being quicker.
In our separate tests, the MAN confirmed its turn of speed by posting the quickest hill-climb and acceleration times.
All four drivers liked the F90's cab comfort; in particular its low noise levels, good seats, and clear instrumentation. They also praised the amount of space in the high-roof cab. It was clearly the roomiest of our group, with particularly generous headroom.
The awkward double-H shift pattern drew less praise, thanks to its long travel and poor lever position. The 19.422's brake performance was also rated the worst of the four trucks.
Although the standard ECO 17.422 is sold in the UK, any readers hoping to duplicate our test vehicle's specification are likely to be disappointed. The 80 dB(A) package and the expensive but impressive high-roof cab are not offered here, while the importers have no information on when the Euro 1 engine will be introduced.