G90 get up and g
Page 35
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• MAN-VW's new light middleweight trucks — the six to 10-tonne GVW G90 range — are now on sale in the UK, and will be shown for the first time at the Scottish Motor Show in two weeks time.
The G90 range still bears a marked resemblance to the old MT lineup but now features new engines, transmissions and brakes, and will be offered with a wide variety of customer options including for the first time sleeper cabs, and for next year, crew cab models.
There are three G90 trucks for non-HGV operations. At the bottom-of-the-range is the little 5.99-tonne 6.100 chassis, powered by the four-cylinder naturally-aspirated 4.5-litre MAN D0824 diesel. The D0824 develops 75kW (102hp) and has a peak torque of 310Nm (229 lbft) at 1,700rpm.
The 6.100 is aimed specifically at the municipal and building trade markets — particularly for those operators who want to tow a compressor, or trailer, but who need to stay within the nonHGV 7.5 tonne limit.
Premier partner
MAN-VW, however, says that the 6.100 should also appeal to continental operators looking to run without permits, or in France at weekends.
For the most popular, and highly lucrative, 7.5-tonne sector, there are two G90 models. The 8.100 has the same 1)0824 four-pot engine as the lightest 6.100; and its premier partner, the 8.150, is fitted with the 6.87-litre naturally-aspirated D0826 sixcylinder diesel which pushes out a hefty 110kW (150hp). Peak torque on the six cylinder D0826 is 450Nm (332 lbft) at 1,30Orpm.
The arrival of the 8.150 and the lveco Ford Cargo 0815 (see page 14) means that Renault Truck Industries is no longer the only manufacturer now offering a premium 110kW 7.5 tormer in the UK.
Compared with the old MAN-VW 8.90 and 8.136 MT models (the name MT has been dropped along with the joint MAN-VW badging on the G90 range), the latest 8.100 and 8.150 offer 13% and 19% more power respectively, while torque outputs have also been raised by 21% and 19%.
While both the new engines are derived from the old MT power units, they have larger strokes and wider bores, new cylinder heads and pistons, along with an updated fuel injection system. In addition MAN-VW claims the G90 diesels are not only quieter, but also more fuel efficient.
Power steering and partial engine encapsulation are standard across the G90 range.
The nine-tonne 9.150 chassis, and the top-of-therange 10-tonne GVW 10.150 (available for drawbar operations up to 18 tonnes GTW) both come with the sixcylinder engine.
The previous MT wheelbase options are carried over onto the right-hand-drive G90 range. The 6.100 and 8.100 rigids can be ordered in either a 3.1, 3.6, 4.25 or 4.6m wheelbase form, while the 8.150, 9.150 and 10.150 can be ordered with the same wheelbases plus the option of an extra 5.1m version.
To cope with the higher torque of the new engines, the G90s have beefed-up clutches and revised gearboxes and drive axles. The standard fivespeed synchromesh VW box has a new, deeper 7.24:1 first gear ratio (was 6.67:1) along with larger shaft bearings and an improved linkage.
The old rear axles used on the previous MT trucks have also been dropped in favour of the latest 6.1 and 6.8 tonne capacity VW axles which have an additional 3.46:1 final drive ratio option, to cater for lowprofile tyres.
Uprated axles
On the subject of rubber, by switching to smaller diameter 215/75 tyres, MAN has been able to reduce the frame height on the G90 by some 22mm. When parabolic springs are adopted on the G90 next year these will go even lower.
To give better loading tolerances at 7.5-tonnes GVW, the G90 has also gained an uprated 3.2-tonne capacity front axle.
MAN has paid particular attention to the new G90's braking system. Out goes the old air hydraulic system on the MT. In goes a full-air system with Simplex wedge foundation drum brakes. The German manufacturer, however, has resisted any moves towards front discs on its G90. According to MAN by keeping to full air it can not only offer anti-lock braking without any problems but also it claims that the G90's brake linings are likely to give a longer life than disc pads.
While the hydraulically-tilted G90 cab still has the same basic MT shell, it has been facelifted, gaining a number of modifications including a revised interior trim, wider and lower, entry steps and relocated headlamps. For the UK, all six-cylinder models have heated mirrors and radio as standard.
For the cost conscious operator, however, MAN-VW is offering the 8.100 as a down-specced model at 7.5 tonnes GVW.
For the first time MAN-VW will offer its light middleweights with the option of a sleeper cab. The GRP sleeper is built by Windfoil, and can also be retrofitted to 8.136 MT trucks.
In a bid to win more sales in the municipal sector, MAN-VW is developing a six-man crewcab version of the G90 cab with Whiteacres of Stoke-onTrent, which is expected to be available from mid-1988.
Although MAN has only begun limited production of right-hand-drive G90 models, full production will begin in December. Full prices for the G90 range have yet to be released, although MAN-VW quotes a typical retail price of .C16,500 for a 4.6 metre wheelbase chassis 8.150.