THE EFFICIENT MAN
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Like the Ecostralis, MAN’s TGX EfficientLine artic appeared at last autumn’s IAA Hannover Truck Show – although it has yet to make its full UK debut.
According to the Munich truck maker: “It has the potential to save up to three litres of diesel per 100km. Given the high annual mileages of trucks in long-haul transport, with an average of 150,000km, a saving of three litres of fuel means nearly €20,000 for the operator, based on the current average price of €1.11 for a litre of diesel in Europe and a four-year period of use.” Not surprisingly, it shares many similarities with its Italian rival, such as a full aero kit, 85km/h top speed limiter and economy-programmed direct-drive Tipmatic (ZF) 12-speed auto that gives a 2% fuel saving on motorway work compared with an overdrive box. MAN says the ‘fleet’ TipMatic can deliver fuel savings of around 4.5%, a potential saving for operators of €2,780 per annum.
Among the other EfficientLine fuel-saving hardware are a new, more powerful, and more efficient (by 4%) three-phase alternator, halogen day-time running lights that need only 42 instead of 300 Watts, and MAN’s latest air-pressure management system, which has a multi-disc clutch that deactivates the compressor completely when the cut-off pressure has been reached in the air tanks. Once compressed air is drawn from the tanks, the clutch re-engages and the air compressor again works up to cut-off pressure. Consequently, the operating time of the compressor on long-haul work is cut by up to 90%, saving up to half a litre of diesel every 100km. Tyre pressure management (TPM) is also standard on the EfficientLine (as are low-rolling resistance tyres), with MAN insisting that TPM not only saves fuel (up to €2,250 annually) but that it also prevents up to 99% of all tyre-related down-time and breakdowns. The UK launch of EfficientLine is complicated by the fact that it’s based on a 40-tonne, 4x2 Continental-spec tractor, whereas the UK remains a predominantly 6x2 tractor market. However, MAN Truck & Bus UK says many of its fuel-saving features are already available on RHD tractors such as the new alternator, day-time driving lamps and lightweight air tanks. British buyers can also spec their TGX with low-rolling-resistance tyres (standard on EfficientLine) and the Tipmatic box with the non-intervention ‘fleet’ mode. Although UK models have yet to gain the new air pressure management kit, CM understands that discussions regarding its fitment are ongoing, along with the likelihood of adopting the EfficientLine name in the UK.