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MAN with a mission
the TGL 150 4x2 rigid
MAN tell us they developed the TGL with one aim in mind: maximum customer benefit. And they claim it is a truck that combines “excellent economy with outstanding transport performance, built to the highest standards of comfort and convenience, reliability, safety and environmental acceptability.”
That sounds great in a glossy sales brochure, but what is the reality? Export & Freight’s chief test driver Garfield Harrison has been finding out, courtesy of a test vehicle from MAN Northern Ireland dealer RK Trucks in Carryduff and Dungannon...
 Clearly, the TGL comes with a great pedigree, having been voted ‘Truck of the Year’ when it first appeared in 2006, with the judges suitably impressed with its ‘unique comfort, its outstanding performance, its handling and its economy.’
If anything has changed in the interim, we reckon it has been for the better. With our TGL 150 4x2 rigid, loaded at 7.5 tonnes, we headed down the M1 motorway to Belfast, driving through the busy streets of Belfast, then on to Toomebridge via the M2, into Magherafelt, through Cookstown, and back to RK Trucks depot on the outskirts of Dungannon.
We believe our test route was pretty representative of the types of terrain, road conditions and working environments that your average distribution driver would encounter on any typical day behind the wheel.
The 7.5-tonne TGL may be the lightweight model in this series – but it's all truck, from cab to axles. Its low tare weight means that higher payloads are possible, and being equipped with the spacious C cab, we can see why it's regarded by many as a champion in classic freight distribution.
 Cab comforts
The C design is certainly ideal for daily delivery work. Particularly convenient features are the extremely low entry height, the wide door-opening angle, which makes boarding and leaving that less strenuous, and the ease with which the cab can be crossed to the passenger's side, making the driver’s work that much easier.
Like all MAN cabs, it complies with the most demanding crash safety standards and is in accordance with the ECE-R29 directive. A safety cell combined with special controlled-deformation elements ensures the highest possible level of occupant protection.
While we were immediately attracted to the cab, the seat also caught our attention. Climbing in behind the wheel, we found the driver’s seat to be really comfortable and easy on the back, making our journey along the test route that much more pleasurable.
The cockpit was also well laid-out: everything's where it should be. The glare-free instruments provide instant information, the controls logically arranged and easy to reach. With an optional multifunction steering wheel, incidentally, you can have rapid access to even more functions and can obtain information, receive telephone calls or adjust the radio settings without taking your hands off the wheel.
If a knob in the footwell is pressed, the steering wheel can be adjusted steplessly for height and angle – and to make boarding and leaving even easier it can be released and swung up in a single easy movement.
We found the steering wheel to be a good fit in the hands. It was very responsive and we felt very much in touch with the road.
On the right side of the steering wheel there are two stalks a bigger one and a smaller one. The bigger stalk is for setting Cruise Control; you do this by pulling the stalk up when you get to your set speed. If you wish to decrease your speed push the stalk down; to increase speed again by a km per hour just pull the stalk up.
This stalk, incidentally, also doubles up as the manual gear change which is simple and easy to use should you wish to stick with a gear for a hill climb.
The other smaller stalk on the right hand side is the engine exhaust brake with one setting - press the button to select and this will kick in to help you slow down without using the foot brake. On the left hand stalk is the indicator, and light switches, wipers, horn dip and main beam.
To keep in touch with events during the journey there's a modern driver information management system with two instrument clusters. You can choose between "Baseline L" for the solo truck and the exceptionally stylish "Baseline" version for use when towing a trailer; it comes with additional functions and chrome-plated dial bezels.
Storage Space
The busy distribution driver appreciates plenty of storage space for his paperwork and other bits and pieces, and the MAN cab doesn’t disappoint. There are storage compartments above the windscreen and bins and pockets in both doors. A very useful feature for delivery work is the ingenious storage box with integral but detachable desktop; it's available as an optional extra.
In the centre of the dashboard are cup holders and several compartments for small objects. Larger ones can be stored effectively in the centre-tunnel console and the storage compartment on the rear wall of the cab.
Visibility from the driver’s seat cannot be faulted; indeed, so that the driver can see cyclists or pedestrians close to the sides of the truck, there’s a new mirror concept that also opens up what used to be known as the blind spot. Every area that could be a potential source of danger as the truck turns a nearside corner is visible.
Although none of our driving was at night time, we are told that for greater safety at night the headlights throw a broad beam and have clear glass covers, free-form reflectors and H7 halogen bulbs. As an optional extra low-beam headlights using D2R xenon gas-discharge lamps can be specified; they include a headlight cleaning system.
Excellent Engine
The more than capable 150 bhp engine had lots of torque, doing what we wanted it to do with a minimum of fuss, and quietly, too. We were loaded at 7.5 tonne and the engine coped easily, with good acceleration when required.
All engines for the TGL and TGM series are equipped with the MAN PM-KAT filter combined with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and comply with the Euro 4 emission limits.
We found the MAN Tipmatic 6 speed gearbox very slick, impressive indeed, and comes as standard with this vehicle; we believe this alone is a massive selling point.
It is without doubt the easiest and most convenient way to change gear. The MAN TipMatic can be operated either manually using a touch action lever or fully automatically. If the exhaust brake takes effect, this automated gearbox selects the most suitable gear for maximum engine braking – an obvious safety bonus. But MAN TipMatic is also exceptionally economical: it minimises fuel consumption and avoids overloading the driveline.
Also notable is the speed limiter, activated by a button on the dash – just select your desired speed, say 40 mph, and it keeps you at that until you decide to cancel. If you are descending downhill and go above the set speed by 3 kph the engine exhaust kicks in to bring you back to your set limit; a real Penalty Points saver, if ever there was one, and a useful safety feature to boot; it also saves fuel. It’s a truly excellent device.
Average fuel for the trip was an impressive 21 mpg which speaks volumes for the MAN 4.6 litre engine.
For those of you ‘green’ at heart, you may like to know all MAN vehicles are designed from the start to be suitable for recycling and built to a large extent from materials that can be re-used. All parts that can be recycled are specially marked to identify the material from which they are made.
Verdict
The MAN TGL is, as the manufacturer boasts, the ideal all-rounder for owner-drivers, fleet operators or logistics companies. It has a comfortable and ergonomic cab, providing an ideal working environment, making distribution easy and stress-free, a workhorse of an engine, offering more than adequate pulling power and performance, and plenty of load capacity into the bargain. A delight to drive!
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