Coming together as equals
The new MAN TGX and MAN TGS Individual Lion S already enjoyed plenty of attention at IAA Transportation as a visual highlight. But you’re no doubt itching to find out what it’s like to drive the new lions – 15 members of Trucker’s World by MAN Germany were given this opportunity on the MAN test track.
How are the MAN TGX and MAN TGS Individual Lion S on a day-to-day basis? This was what 20 professional truckers from various sectors were looking to find out on 28 October 2022 on the MAN test track in Munich. Vehicle development is heavily focused on ensuring driver comfort in the MAN cabs. Drivers spend many hours each week in their trucks, and supporting their day-to-day work optimally is a priority.
‘It’s great that we get the opportunity to test the latest vehicles. The experts answer all our questions and provide plenty of background when explaining why things are the way they are in the truck. I drive a MAN TGS 26.500 6×6 and I’m also eager to drive a semi-trailer sometimes. Especially one so meticulously equipped. I’ve also received an offer of a trip to Sweden. Long-haul transport is something else entirely. It would appeal to me, but not indefinitely. If you’ve got a MAN TGX with equipment like a microwave and coffee machine and that is so beautifully decorated inside and out, then the drive would be twice as much fun,’ Thomas Baumann from Niederroth enthuses as he talks about the test drive.
And the lions are not just about top-of-the-range driving with breathtaking design. The MAN TGX offers its driver superlative comfort and impresses on the road with high-performance engines from 520 to 640 h.p. On top of this, the digital mirror replacement system MAN OptiView ensures a complete all-round view. Jan Burgdorf from Loitzendorf, who drives a truck from another brand, was especially excited about driving the MAN TGX: ‘I always love being able to test a MAN and I work and am on call for the MAN trial from time to time. When permitted to do so, I also like to tell my boss about my experiences to win him over to the brand.
‘The truck drives really nicely and I would take this one with me on the spot. It makes driving a lot more fun and the seats are incredibly comfortable – I’d even feel at ease in them during my breaks.’
‘The MAN TGX drives so nicely, just like a car. The handling is incredibly appealing. The MAN OptiView really astonished me. You see everything razor-sharp. You have to get used to it, but this wouldn’t be a problem for me now. If my boss gave me a truck like that, I’d be over the moon,’ says Kevin Schömig from Aalen.
Brand new: the MAN TGS Individual Lion S
‘Such fantastic equipment at last for the MAN TGS,’ enthuses Christian Unrein from Rotthalmünster, ‘almost too good for the building site. The overall look is just fantastic. Everything is coordinated. The red seatbelts are great. And the truck drives so well,’ said Christian, more than impressed with the new four-axle model, also available for the first time in the MAN Individual Lion S layout – a tough beauty that offers the best performance on any surface with a high-performance 520 h.p. engine.
MAN board members also present for the test drive
Friedrich Baumann, Head of Sales & Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus SE, took the opportunity to meet the drivers in person and to chat with them rather than avoid them: ‘We want to support drivers as well as possible with our vehicles, offer the best possible comfort and make day-to-day driving safer with new technologies. Test drives like these are important because they show drivers what MAN has to offer. The immediate feedback we get from the drivers within the scope of these events helps us to work on our products in a more targeted way. Drivers and their opinions are important and they should feel that we understand them.’
Sales Area Manager Christoph Huber adds: ‘The drivers are our priority. The drivers’ club Trucker’s World by MAN is much more than a discussion platform. We want to provide optimal support to drivers. This includes test drives, which provide us with immediate feedback: how does their average day look, what problems exist, and how can we offer solutions and support. For this reason, we recently launched our initiative “Fahren für Deutschland” (drive for Germany). Drivers make a huge contribution to society. They should therefore also receive the appreciation they deserve for their hard work, which is so important to all of us.’
For all those who couldn’t be there in person, here are the nicest moments from a successful event to browse through.
