Very much a driver's MAN
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HE MAN Road Show, a four-vehicle demonstration team covering over 7,000 miles the UK and Eire, provided CM with the first opportunity to drive the MAN 16.280 tractive unit since its introduction at last year's Commercial Motor Show. Plated for a gtw of 44 tones (43.3 tons), the 280 is fitted with a turbocharged, x-cylinder power unit which produces 206kW (280bhp) max output at 2200rpm.
Maximum torque is 1030Nm (7601b1t) which gives the MAN a lively road performance when loaded to the UK maximum of 32 tons.
A Fuller RTO 9513 range change gearbox with an overdrive splitter is fitted to the 280 and I found this easy to use, despite the column gearchange, writes Steve Gray.
The lever is sprung upward to the lower ratios and the low/high range change switch is fitted on the end of the lever.
A third position on the switch operates the overdrive; this is simply engaged by lifting one's foot off the throttle pedal after preselecting the overdrive.
This technique allows fast changes up and down.
Legal limit
With 280bhp under the bonnet, the 280 is fast and I was able to maintain the legal speed limit easily on the motorway section of the short route I took it over.
A two-bunk sleeper cab is standard on the MAN and it is well-equipped and nicely finished.
Driving position is good, and forward visibility is excellent.
Entry to the tilt cab was also good, I found, with thoughtfully placed steps and grab handles.
Comfort
From the brief drive I had the 280, I formed the opinion that it is very much a driver's vehicle.
It's comfortable — easy to drive and, I would think, quite competitively priced at £20,669.
The other three vehicles in the Road Show are a 30.232VFK 8-wheeler with a Tasktip tipping body, a 16.232 FT tractive unit, and a 19.330 FT tractive unit, fitted with a VIO power unit.