MAN springs gas turbine surprise
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375 HP TWIN-ROTOR UNIT DEMONSTRATED ON NEW PROVING GROUND
• Last Friday MAN, of Munich, used the occasion of the opening of a new proving ground to stage the first public showing of a 375 hp twin rotor gas turbine-engined truck, together with an all-round air suspension system which is to be offered as optional equipment.
The turbine unit, which an international gathering of road transport experts and technical journalists were not allowed to inspect closely, was installed in an otherwise standard production chassis that forms part of a 38-ton truck and trailer combination, the external dimensions of the turbine engine being similar to those of the conventional V-8 cylinder piston engine, its weight, however, being less than half.
The prototype at present has no recuperator but it is understood that development of such a unit is under way with a view to installation at a later date. Similarly, although a manual six-speed gearbox is currently being used, an automatic transmission is in preparation.
It is planned that a limited number of turbine trucks will be produced within the next three years, with pilot production scheduled for the mid-seventies.
The all-round air suspension was Vemonstrated on the 8.5-ton truck model 9.156 which has a gvw of 15 tons and is powered by a 156 hp six-cylinder engine. The all-round air suspension of this truck is equipped with a control valve, permitting the chassis to be lowered by Bin., enabling easy interchange of loading platforms or containers, which, for unloading purposes, are fitted with special detachable legs. With the inter-locking automatic safety mechanism, loading and unloading of the platform or container can he accomplished within three minutes.
At the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, MAN will introduce a redesigned cab on all its semi-forward control trucks. The bonnet is combined with the front mudguards, hinged to swing upwards so as to give full access to the engine.
A new 32-ton gvw, three-axled prime mover with a single driving axle, and two steering axles, powered by a 304 hp eightcylinder V-engine, will also be introduced.
All MAN diesel engines are now fitted with removable liners, and a turbo-charged sixcylinder 256 hp engine will be introduced to meet new German regulations which will come into force in 1971, requiring 8 hp per ton of gross weight.
At the opening of the new commercial vehicle proving and demonstration ground adjacent to the MAN plant at Munich, Dr. H. Moll, managing director of the company's vehicle division, said that MAN's share of the German home market in trucks above 8 tons gross weight was now 20 per cent and the current home market demand for heavy commercial vehicles could be considered as normal. MAN's close co-operation with the French Saviern company has now resulted in an extensive exchange of vehicle components. Certain power units produced by the French company are being used in trucks manufactured in Germany, and vice versa. Nearly 30 per cent of MAN's exports are shipped to African 'countries and during the past 12 months, exports to these territories have increased by 22 per cent.
On the Continent, due to the company's association with Saviem, 15 per cent of MAN's exports go to France and 17 per cent to EFTA countries. During the current year, MAN has acquired full control of the German Bussing commercial vehicle company. Although the respective sales organizations will continue to function independently, certain rationalization is planned with regard to vehicle components, and Bussing's extensive steel forging capacity is already scheduled to be fully utilized for axle and crankshaft production. MAN has also concluded licensing arrangements for the manufacture of its trucks and buses in Yugoslavia and Rumania.