To prove the outstanding long-haul capability of the MAN TGX 26.540 EfficientLine, MAN undertook and just recently completed a 14 500km road trip across 10 Southern African countries over 52 days, commencing at the Pinetown plant.
14 500km, 10 Southern African countries over 52 days
Piloting the TGX in the One MAN Kann odyssey was celebrity adventurer and explorer, Riaan Manser (trained by ProfiDrive), and a professional MAN long-haul driver, Nduna Chari, one of MANLINE’s best long-haul drivers. The journey took the TGX to MAN’s dealerships and partner fuel suppliers across the southern African region, using MAN Telematics to constantly monitor the road trip for benchmarking purposes.
The truck was also used as a link across sub-Saharan Africa to transport necessary malaria preventative equipment, such as mosquito nets and other malaria prophylactics. This initiative was conducted in partnership with Roll Back Malaria. Partnering
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Partnering MAN Truck & Bus SA on their epic journey were Castrol Vecton, MAN’s Euro V flagship takes long-haul to a new level VW Commercial Vehicles, who supplied the Amarok support vehicles, Goodyear Tyres, and Henred Fruehauf/SA Truck Bodies, who provided the trailer.
More torque, greater economy
Having notched up a string of fuel efficiency benchmarks since its release in Europe in 2008, the Euro V MAN TGX 26.540 6×4 BLS(XLX-cab) EfficientLine truck-tractor is making solid inroads locally since its launch during the last quarter of 2015.
Powered by the MAN D26 common- rail diesel engine, the (540hp) 2 500N.m TGX 26.540 gives long-haul operators an additional 60hp over MAN’s long-haul stalwart, the TGS 26.480 6×4 BLS (LX-cab).
With an extra 200N.m of torque and a Euro V emissions rating, the TGX 26.540 BLS uses selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology and AdBlue to lower carbon and other toxic emissions, making it a bona fide next-generation long-haul truck-tractor, designed to meet the ever-more stringent demands of the local market.
Testing of the TGX 26.540 BL showed comparable fuel efficiency to current TGS long-haul truck-tractors
Initial testing of the TGX 26.540 BLS in South Africa by MAN ProfiDrive showed comparable fuel efficiency to current TGS long-haul truck-tractors.
An encouraging 2-litre per 100km diesel saving compared to other local truck models was achieved and, thanks to the TGX’s extra power and torque, also shorter trip times and therefore greater productivity.
Considering southern Africa’s mountainous topography, the ability for a long-haul truck-tractor to safely ascend and descend steep gradients at optimum speeds is a primary purchasing criterion for long-haul operators – and the TGX 26.540 boasts a host of driveline technologies that enable benchmark average speeds.
Coupled to the D26 powerplant is a 12-speed MAN TipMatic automated manual transmission that effectively keeps engine speed at optimum rpm (in the ‘green band’) without the driver having to manually change gears.
The aerodynamic design of the TGX EfficientLine cab (fitted with drag-reducing aerokits), plus a low power-consumption, electronically-managed compressor (APM) and an energy-efficient EcoLife alternator, bring additional automated fuel savings to the vehicle.
Enhanced safety
The TGX braking system features the latest incarnation of MAN’s Brake- Matic technology, which includes a hydrodynamic PriTarder that combines an electronically-controlled engine valve brake (EVBec) with a Voith Aquatarder.
This combination of braking technologies produces an extra 110kW of braking power over the TGS 26.480 and, by blending and re-blending the EVBec with the service brakes, delivers more braking capacity and better engine cooling across a wider speed range.
The MAN PriTarder is particularly effective at slower speeds, making hill descents safe at 60km/h under a full load. Additional standard safety features include a Lane Guard System (LGS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and an emergency stopping signal (ESS), along with EBS, ASR and ESP.
Enhanced ergonomics, productivity and intelligence
The TGX is equipped with one of the roomiest cabs, called the XLX, which boasts an extra 200mm of width and full standing height.
It is a true long-haul home-from-home, with extra-wide double bunks and all the latest comfort features, from air-conditioning to a hi-tech media system with Bluetooth functionality.
The TGX in-cab tech array also includes an axle-load display (aka on-board weighing system) for both the truck and trailer, and features MAN Telematics (a fully-fledged fleet management system) with touchscreen navigation capability.
Euro V SCR technology lowers fuel consumption and thus limits carbon emissions
Driver training is undertaken by MAN’s proprietary ProfiDrive programme that includes modules from basics to advanced and specialised applications.
Euro V SCR technology lowers fuel consumption and thus limits carbon emissions. Advanced driveline technologies powered by the (540hp) 2 500N.m engine enable better average speeds with fewer gear changes and service brake applications, all leading to lower maintenance costs and vehicle downtime.