Newell & Wright’s new Truck Generation MAN TGXs deliver “unbelievable” fuel economy

In a recent interview with the Editor of Commercial Motor magazine, Will Shiers (also International Truck of the Year jury member for the UK) the CEO of Newell & Wright Group, Stephen Newell, shares his thoughts, opinions and findings on his New Generation TGX trucks.

Commenting on the First Edition 510hp flagship, which has just been joined by 10 470hp variants (pictured), Newell & Wright Group operations director Stephen Newell, says: “The fuel return we have had has been unbelievable. The best we previously had on the fleet was the mirrorless Actros, but this is beating it by the best part of 1mpg. We’re getting double figures, which is unbelievable on containers, and that’s a 510. They tell me the 470s should be better.”

The trucks, which have been purchased outright and will be maintained in-house from the outset, will be double-shifted for the first five years. Then they will run on single shifts for the next few years, by which time they are likely to have covered in the region of 1.3 million km.

Newell says the new MAN’s have gone down well with the drivers too. “They absolutely love them, and the feedback is all positive,” he says. “They reckon the interiors are more welcoming, better built, and quieter than the Mercedes’.”

He adds: “We have run MANs for a long time, and have had the good times and the bad times. But the new MAN TGX is unbelievable, and I have no doubt that it will sell.”

Drivers verdict: David Tillion

Driver David, 56, has been a driver for 33 years, 28 of these with Newell & Wright, so he’s more than qualified to give his opinion on the new MAN.

“Due to the new mirrors visibility is about 30% better with the new model. I like the new cab a lot and the fact that it’s a flagship truck within the fleet.”

“I’d give it 10 out of 10 for pulling power, it’s superb, you can’t even feel the gear change it’s so smooth. I tend to use Efficiency Mode and it flies up the road when compared to the older models.”

Being away for four or five nights a week David values the space in the big GX cab. “The cab is so much better now that the handbrake has been repositioned, plus there is plenty of space. I’ve got a fridge and I’m getting to grips with the SmartSelect, the cruise control is magnificent as is the folding steering wheel.”   

“Every MAN I’ve driven has been comfortable, but I like a soft mattress so I use my own which is memory-foam, the standard mattress is a bit hard for me.”

David concluded, “They really are the top of the league and this is the best I’ve had, it’s certainly the best in our yard.”

Newell & Wright’s new Truck Generation MAN TGXs deliver “unbelievable” fuel economy | Commercial Motor