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DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

9th December 1999
Page 17
Page 17, 9th December 1999 — DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• The first of the Euro-3 vehicles that we sampled at the launch was a 26.284, the 280hp 6x4 rigid chassis developed specifically for the UK tipper market (which will be the subject of a full afroadtest in January). Unusually, this 6x4 was fitted with a continental-style dropside and tilt body.

In theory the combination of the peaktest torque curve within the new engine range and the Eaton FS 8209 gearbox with just nine speeds should make the 26-tonner's performance less than sparkling. But although the torque drops off below 1,400rpm, there is still enough left to make decent progress_ A 25km fully laden run over a variety of roads in MAN's home territory confirmed that performance certainly hasn't suffered even if economy has.

Our next drive was in the 19.364 FLS 4x2 tractor pulling a Maxie trailer at 40 tonnes gross. The transmission was ZF's 16S 18116-speed synchromesh unit. Those dozen extra valves certainly prove their worth, endowing the 360hp engine with a 6% hike in torque. It's not just the 1,700Nm of peak torque that impresses but the fact that around 98% of that grunt is available from 800-1,400rpm. The result is good performance for its size with impressive smoothness.

Finally we tried out the top-of-the-range 19.464 FLS, again at 40 tonnes. This one was also fitted with the ZF 16-speeder, as well as a ZF Intarder and MAN's Autocheck diagnostic system. The way the 460hp engine propelled 40 tonnes from rest proved that a green exhaust doesn't have to cause frustration when the traffic lights turn green.

We look forward to putting these clean machines to the test soon to establish the true cost to the operator of saving the planet

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