MAN launches flagship TGX D38 in Australia

[kscarbel2]

Australasian Transport News (ATN)  /  October 11, 2016

Combining European design with Australian tweaks, MAN’s new TGX flagship model aims at the B-double market

MAN Truck & Bus has launched the TGX D38 during an event hosted by Penske Corporation chairman Roger Penske in Brisbane today.

The new TGX flagship model, the MAN’s D38 joins the Australian heavy-duty market on the back of an 18-month test period in local conditions.

Offering a 15.2-litre, six-cylinder engine with 560hp at 2,000ft-lb and maximum torque at 930rpm, the new MAN is targeted at long distance B-double applications.

When it comes to transmission, the D38 ships with an automated manual 12-speed Traxion Transmission shifting system, which offers three fuel-efficient modes and GPS-controlled cruise control from MAN EfficientCruise.

The cruise control system utilises topographical map data to foresee route gradients ahead and optimise the required fuel consumption.

Speaking at the launch, Penske says the Australian arm of Penkse Commercial Vehicles worked in conjunction with MAN Germany to tailor the truck for the local environment.

"The MAN D38 has been engineered for local customers, and with their needs of economy at the fore," Penske says.

"I believe that the MAN D38 package from Penske Commercial Vehicles will quickly become an attractive and viable business option, giving our customers the edge they need."

Echoing Penske’s remarks, MAN Truck & Bus Australia general manager Mark Mello says the new D38 combines economy and power.

"Given our reliance on truck transportation in Australia and the distances between cities, efficiency and productivity are the key factors that dictate business success today," Mello says.

"The MAN TGX D38 strikes an excellent balance of capacity and cost efficiency, and is built specifically for customers who transport high-gross combination weights.

"We believe these qualities stand operators requiring B-double and heavy-duty applications in Australia in good stead."

The new MAN TGX D38 is currently available from Penske Commercial Vehicles.

Related reading:

http://www.man.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MAN-D38-Brochure-alternate-colour-1.pdf

http://www.truck.man.eu/man/media/en/content_medien/doc/business_website_truck_master_1/Broschuere_D38_D_Screen.pdf

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[kscarbel2]

The 15.2-liter D38-powered MAN TGX has also been launched by Penske in the New Zealand market.

http://www.man.co.nz/truck-range/tgx-range/man-tgx-d38/

[mrsmackpaul]

Its um well gunna catch your eye thats for sure then again MAN have always had a style all of there own 

 

Paul

[kscarbel2]

[kscarbel2]

Roger Penske Launches the New 15 litre MAN

Diesel News AU  /  October 12, 2016

On one of his frequent visits to Australia, automotive mogul, Roger Penske launches the new 15 litre MAN D38 prime mover. Fresh from watching the DJR Team Penske V8 Supercar racing team compete at Bathurst over the weekend, Penske attended the launch in Brisbane this week.

“I try to mix my business with my golf game, and my golf game at the weekends is racing,” said Penske. “We had a great time at Bathurst, when you lead laps in a race and you are competitive, two cars in the shootout was a big day for us. That’s got to transfer across into our business. Three years ago we decided to invest in Penske Commercial Vehicles. We had some good people and a good customer base, but, obviously, the opportunities were many times greater than what we started with.”

The first major launch of an all-new vehicle since the takeover sees the MAN brand, finally, enter the Australian market with a 15 litre heavy duty prime mover engine. The MAN TGX D38 engine produces 560 hp (411 kW) and around 2,700 Nm of torque (2,000 ft-lb).

The 15.2 litre, six-cylinder, Single OverHead Cam common-rail injected, twin turbocharged power plant, designated D3876, has a ‘Top Down’ system, pumping coolant from the engine top to the bottom, minimising cylinder head stress while protecting the injectors and exhaust valves.

Domed valves are another innovation. According to MAN, the design will prevent deformity, additional convex shaping strengthens the valve disk and increases the service life of the valve seating ring. This is said to be critical in later technology engines whose task it is to attain and maintain stringent emission standards over a prolonged period.

A Turbo Exhaust Valve Brake (TEVB) gas flap has been used for the first time, delivering a braking capacity of 600 kW, which is continuously available in engine braking mode. Cable routing is encased in a foam-filled harnesses to reduce material fatiguing vibration, another first for MAN.

MAN reckon the Euro 6 compliant engine consumes up to three per cent less fuel than an equivalent 540 hp Euro 5 engine, due to its third-generation, high-pressure common rail fuel system, which injects fuel into the cylinders at up to 2,500 bar, resulting in finer atomisation and lower particulate levels.

The PCV organisation now has a credible cabover B-double prime mover to match the other heavies in the market, for the first time. The MAN brand has consistently under performed here in Australia, but this introduction is seen as an opportunity to rectify this situation.

“I think the metrics we’ve seen and some of the experience we have had on the MAN test vehicles has been quite positive,” said Penske. “Some of the feedback I have gotten is we have to be a better company here in Australia, from a service perspective. We look around the country and we see the service network able to grow over the next 18 months. Even though the market is down, we are continuing to invest.”

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[kscarbel2]

All-new MAN TGX D38 enters 15-litre Aussie truck market

Power Torque Magazine  /  October 12, 2016

After more than 18 months of local research, testing and development, MAN Trucks has released its all-new TGX D38 truck to the Australian market at launch events in Brisbane. The TGX flagship aims to establish the European brand as a major player in the 15-litre, heavy-duty truck market.

D38 has been optimised for Australian conditions and features a tailored powertrain designed for the most demanding transport tasks, with a six-cylinder inline engine with 15.2 litre displacement. The new engine further enhances the MAN range and introduces a new horsepower class of 560 hp at 2,000 ft-lb, producing maximum torque from as low as 930 rpm, which ensures the focus is efficiency.

With total cost-of-ownership savings delivered through a range of patented MAN technologies, the D38 has an automated manual 12-speed Traxon Transmission, with three new fuel saving modes and GPS-controlled cruise control from MAN EfficientCruise, which uses saved topographical map data to detect route gradients and optimise fuel consumption (route dependent).

Speaking at the launch, Mr Mark Mello, General Manager, MAN Truck and Bus Australia, said:

“The MAN TGX D38 strikes an excellent balance of capacity and cost efficiency, and is built specifically for customers who transport high-gross combination weights. We believe these qualities stand operators requiring B-double and heavy-duty applications in Australia in good stead.”

Chairman Roger Penske reiterated that the local team at Penske Commercial Vehicles in conjunction with MAN Germany worked hard to ensure the new model was ready to take on Australia.

“The MAN D38 has been engineered for local customers, and with their needs of economy at the fore. I believe that the MAN D38 package from Penske Commercial Vehicles will quickly become an attractive and viable business option, giving our customers the edge they need.”

The MAN TGX D38 is now available through Penske Commercial Vehicles, and its authorised dealer network.

[kscarbel2]

MAN on a mission: Roger Penske Launches 15-litre D38 Engine

Trade Trucks AU  /  October 13, 2016

In his first address to the Australian truck media since taking control of Western Star, MAN and Dennis Eagle operations in Australia and New Zealand more than three years ago, business and motor racing mogul Roger Penske has confirmed MAN’s critical part in the future plans of Penske Commercial Vehicles.

Speaking this week during the launch of MAN’s new TGX D38 flagship model powered by the 15.2-litre D38 engine at Brisbane’s Mt Cotton Training Centre, Roger Penske said, "We expect MAN to be a powerful business for us."

Asked if MAN’s inconsistent history in the Australian market was a negative for the brand, Penske said simply, "I’m not looking back, I’m looking forward.

"We wanted this (D38) model 18 months ago but two years from now we expect it to be successful.

"There is a trend to this type of truck," he emphasised, adding that brands such as MAN with a fully integrated engine, automated transmission and driveline package are fast becoming the preferred choice of truck operators at all levels but most notably with major fleets.

Penske operations in the US run 244,000 trucks and it was an adamant Roger Penske who remarked, "We only buy AMTs (automated mechanical transmission) in the US now. They just have so many advantages."

Service and support are, however, the main focus of his Australian operations and the key to the growth of Penske Commercial Vehicles, he continued. "This is a very competitive market and things like fuel economy and service are the big ongoing issues today.

"We have to get better in our own business. We’re going to ask a lot more of our dealers and if they don’t stand up, then we’ll do it with our own dealerships."

On the downward spiral of Western Star sales in Australia over the past three years, Roger Penske commented, "There are no excuses but this is a highly competitive market with low sales volumes, but we will build on the business.

"When we came to this market the exchange rate (with the US dollar) was 97 cents to the dollar. Today it’s around 74 cents to the dollar, so we haven’t had it easy in that respect.

"But we certainly won’t give trucks away," he said in reference to the fierce price competition that exists among some competitors.

With third quarter sales results for this year showing MAN at just 2.1 per cent of the heavy-duty market and Western Star a poor 3.8 percent, Roger Penske said his expectations are for both brands to grow their shares.

"The buying trends are changing," he asserted, further suggesting that he sees significant potential for MAN to grow its share of the heavy-duty market, particularly with the entry of the TGX D38 model.

Engine Details

First launched in Europe more than two years ago and previewed in Australia at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show, the D38 is an in-line six cylinder engine using a single overhead camshaft, twin sequential turbochargers and common-rail fuel injection to produce peak outputs of 411kW (560hp) and 2700Nm (1,991 lb-ft) of torque.

Euro VI (near EPA2010) emissions levels are achieved with the combination of EGR and SCR systems and what MAN explains is a ‘closed particulate filter system’, or CRT – continuous regeneration trap – to significantly reduce particulate filter service demands.

Other innovative features of the engine according to MAN include a ‘Top Down’ cooling system that pumps coolant from engine top to bottom, minimising cylinder head stress while protecting the injectors and exhaust valves.

Domed valves are also used, with additional convex shaping to prevent deformity, strengthen the valve disk and increase service life of the valve seating ring. This is particularly important, says MAN, for maintaining stringent emission standards over a prolonged period.

Furthermore, the German maker says a turbo exhaust valve brake (TEVB) has been developed to provide high engine braking capacity up to 600kW (804.6 horsepower).

In another first for MAN, all cable routing is encased in foam-filled harnesses to dramatically reduce wear caused by rubbing and vibration.

The D38 is also claimed to use up to three percent less fuel than an equivalent Euro V engine due to a third generation common-rail system injecting fuel at up to 2,500 bar, or more than 36,000 psi.

A particularly notable performance aspect of the engine according to MAN is the low rpm torque delivery, with peak torque on tap from 930 to 1,350rpm due in large part to two-stage sequential turbocharging.

Aftercooling is provided by twin air-to-water intercoolers.

There’s also an engine-powered, twin-cylinder air compressor designed to disengage whenever the charging of the air system is not needed, increasing operating efficiency by up to 90 per cent compared with a constantly running compressor.

Also said to be one of the lightest engines in the 15-litre class, the D38 uses an aluminium flywheel housing, an engine block and cylinder head made of lightweight compacted graphite iron (CGI), and a plastic sump and rocker cover.

MAN emphasises that the wide use of lightweight, high-strength materials throughout the design of the TGX D38 model not only provides tare weight advantages over competitors but also delivers "a near perfect balance of weight in a B-double application with an even distribution of load across the steer and drive axle sets".

Yet while it’s the newest engine in MAN’s line-up, the D38 is also said to share a high degree of parts commonality with the current D20 and D26 engines used in Australian models.

Meanwhile, oil drain intervals are certainly generous at up to 70,000 km (112,654 miles) in B-double applications and up to 100,000 km (160,934 miles) in single trailer roles.

With the introduction of the D38, MAN has also introduced an updated version of its automated TipMatic 12-speed automated manual transmission and a GPS-based cruise control system.

From all appearances, it seems MAN is on the move.

Video - https://www.tradetrucks.com.au/product-news/1610/tgx-d38-man-on-a-mission

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[kscarbel2]

MAN brings 15-litre TGX D38 to Australia

Big Rigs  /  October 13, 2016

MAN Trucks released its new 15-litre TGX D38 in Brisbane on Tuesday, where Penske Corporation chairman Roger Penske introduced the flagship truck and discussed the brand's future aspirations within the Australian market.

The TGX model is positioned at Australia's B-double segment, and MAN spent 18 months down under developing the all-new truck to suit the unique operating conditions we face.

The D38 features a new powertrain designed for the most demanding transport tasks, and its 15.2-litre six-cylinder inline engine produces 560HP and 2,700Nm, achieving maximum torque from a low 930 rpm.

This engine will lug and thanks to its broad torque spread works well with a B-double combination as tested at the launch day.

MAN has managed to make the D38 one of the lightest engines in its class, coming in at 160kg less than its V8 predecessor, in part thanks to an aluminium flywheel housing, compacted graphite iron engine block and cylinder head, and a plastic sump and rocker cover.

Despite the high output of this new engine, operators can take advantage of oil drain intervals of up to 70,000 kilometres in heavy B-double applications and up to 100,000 kilometres in single trailer set-ups.

MAN has also developed a "Top Down" system that pumps coolant from engine top to bottom, minimising cylinder head stress while protecting the injectors and exhaust valves, which adds to the longevity of this powertrain.

The 12-speed Traxion Transmission AMT gearbox comes standard in the TGX D38 and features three new fuel saving modes and GPS-controlled cruise control as part of the MAN EfficientCruise system.

While test drives on the launch day were fairly short, the gearbox did a fantastic job of taking a loaded B-double combination up and down hills without any noticeable lag in shifting, and it always seemed to be smack bang in the torque band.

One feature that works a treat alongside the intuitive gearbox and torquey engine, is the Brake Matic system - which will brake for you and hold a set speed with just a touch of the brake pedal to initiate it.

The interior was another highlight, featuring high-quality finish and a complete array of driver-facing controls and steering wheel controls to do most of what you'll need to on the fly.

MAN Truck and Bus Australia general manager Mark Mello spoke about the D38's long distance focus at the launch event.

"Given our reliance on truck transportation in Australia and the distances between cities, efficiency and productivity are the key factors that dictate business success today,” Mr Mello said.

"The MAN TGX D38 strikes an excellent balance of capacity and cost efficiency, and is built specifically for customers who transport high-gross combination weights.

"We believe these qualities stand operators requiring B-double and heavy-duty applications in Australia in good stead.”

Mr Mello says MAN expects strong sales year-on-year for the D38 and expects to see a good number hit the road in 2017.

"We're looking at the D38 providing us a segment of the market we've not had before, we're also realists, we understand that we're now providing a product to customers they haven't necessarily tried or had in their fleets before.

"I have an expectation we'll get 80 or 100 of these things into the traffic, and we would expect this will continue year-on-year.

"We'll certainly start to take a decent chunk of that market space.”

Penske chairman Roger Penske reiterated these comments, saying the D38 offers customers a real competitive edge.

"The MAN D38 has been engineered for local customers, and with their needs of economy at the fore,” Mr Penske said.

"I believe that the MAN D38 package from Penske Commercial Vehicles will quickly become an attractive and viable business option, giving our customers the edge they need."

Mr Penkse also spoke in detail about a shift in focus for MAN, in particular a greater emphasis on dealer commitment which makes the new flagship even more enticing.

"We've got to be sure that we've got the best dealers and where we can, we can't wait, we don't have five years to wait.

"We've got to do it ourselves and we're willing to invest that capital immediately.

"I think that what we want to do as a next step would be to have more company-owned locations so we have more consistency from the standpoint of customer expectations and customer service.”

The MAN TGX D38 is now available through Penske Commercial Vehicles, and its authorised dealer network.

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[kscarbel2]

While I don't care for the chosen color scheme of the Australian Penske promotional trucks above, the D38-powered TGX is cutting edge truck.

All the TGXs at the IAA show were normal colors. I took a day off to take a few pictures for BMT.

Note the integral AdBlue (aka. DEF, AUS-32, ARLA 32) tank, and proper drive axle fenders.

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[kscarbel2]

MAN is very good at chassis packaging, as can be seen on this 4x2 tractor. Again, note an integral AdBlue (DEF) tank.

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[kscarbel2]

Penske reinforces commitment to MAN

Prime Mover Magazine  /  October 14, 2016

On the back of the launch of MAN’s new TGX D38 model on Tuesday, Penske Corporation Chairman, Roger Penske, reinforced his commitment to the German brand.

“I think MAN is a strong brand and we can be proud to be working with it. European trucks in general have come such a long way technology-wise, they’re leading the way now,” he told journalists at the TGX unveiling outside Brisbane – pointing out that volatile exchange rate have made trading difficult of late.

“We want to build on that with MAN here in Australia, and that also means we won’t give trucks away cheap just to get business.”

Agreed MAN’s Jeroen Lagarde, who flew in for the launch from Europe: “We haven’t been as successful in Australia as we would have liked to be, but that lies in the past now. We’re looking forward again, and we think Penske is the perfect fit for it.

“We’ve learned from the past and realised that the Australian market has some very unique requirements we need to align ourselves with. The TGX D38 is a direct result of that thinking.”

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[kscarbel2]

Speaking of Penske Commercial Vehicles in Australia and New Zealand, Penske has the MAN and Western Star Franchises.

With MAN, Penske has deepened his ties to VW Group. Penske already owns 51 Volkswagen dealerships in Europe.

With Western Star, he's tied into Daimler, the world's largest truckmaker and whom he sold Detroit Diesel to. They have a long time relationship.

In Oz, he also had the franchise for the world's best refuse truck, Dennis Eagle,

At his Premier Truck Group, with 15 U.S. locations and 5 in Canada, he sells Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas-built buses.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

Penske's corporation owns a bunch of Mercedes dealers in the U.S. too... Having all these dealerships puts Penske in a unique position to influence both Daimler and VW Group.