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Model: TGL
Page 43
Page 44
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'here's no disputing that the MAN TGL is just ke a real lorry, only smaller. The cab has the ame family feel as the German firm's topeight tractors. The truck provided for the ast was absolutely standard base tipper peo; it was destined for a daily rental fleet ifter this test.
That spec is good in parts, with cruise ontrol, exhaust brake, adjustable steering column and Blaupunkt CD/radio included, but electric mirrors and windows remain firmly on the options list. Having said that, the standard mirror set-up is the same full complement that you would expect on the TO L's big brothers.
All the instruments and controls are to MAN's usual standard; the electric PTO switch is nicely integrated. The tipping control is a proper man-sized affair on the central floor area.
Our only major criticism of the controls is the park brake lever, mounted between the seats, is too far back for comfort. The welcome cruise control is on the right of the column, while ti exhaust brake has a dash-mounted mode switch that includes automatic blending at the beginning of the full-air brake system's foot pedal. The exhaust brake wasn't ovenl impressive down eirdlip Hill, but there is th option of a proper engine brake.
The parabolic springs front and rear gay a good ride in all conditions, while the 3,400kg front axle provides an apparently generous 300kg benefit over the Canter until you realise that unladen it imposes around 750kg more to begin with.
Weight is the MAN's big issue, with a net payload as tested of just 2.765kg. This ban advances the argument for 7.5-tonners. It body in this case is an insulated steel affair from Warrington's Brit-Tipp.
As a tipper, the 7.5-tonne TGL is only available with a sIngle engine option, rated at 178hp with 700Nm of torque. But that engine is an impressive one, offering grunt, ref inement and flexibility in equal measures. The 30hp benefit over the Canter helped it shrug of the hilly roads between Cirencester and Birdlip, and romp back up Birdlip Hill one gear higher and in exactly two thirds the time.
Overall refinement was let down only by an annoying gear-lever rattle which, thankfully, improved in the higher gears.
From a driver's viewpoint the MAN offers some clear advantages over the Mitsubishi beyond being more !dutch. The two vehicles have roughly the same amount of space behind the seats but the TGL also beasts over-screen shelves, a large box under the passenger seat and bigger door pockets.
The three individual seats are all well shaped; the driver gets an air-suspended high-back job. As in the Canter. the back al the centre seat drops to create a large, if rather high, table, with a document clip, three cupholders and a small oddments bin.