50 Years of ITOY – 2021 MAN TGX

The New Generation of MAN TG models were announced in Bilbao, Spain in February 2020, with the manufacturer heralding a “completely newly developed Truck Generation for the first time in 20 years”. This would take us back beyond June 2007, and the introduction of the first TGX and TGS trucks to the turn of century, to the launch of the original Trucknology Generation – the TG-A.

In a bold move, the entire TG range was renewed, from the lightest TGL model up to the premium TGX long-haul trucks. Although the cab frame could trace its ancestry back to the TG-A, it received some re-engineering for crashworthiness, and a heavily re-worked external appearance. The former size designations were also replaced with a new naming convention.

The standard-height sleeper became the GN, the medium raised-roof sleeper became the GM, and the extra-height sleeper became the GX, having formerly been know as the XXL. The GX also received a new roof design and lost the very large coach-style windscreen and the windows above the door.

Whilst beauty remains in the eye of the beholder, most commentors agreed regarding the pleasing new lines of the TGX which also featured some interesting engineering improvements. The new headlight arrangement included integrated daytime running lights and indicators with optional Headlight Assist, which lowers the beam for approaching traffic, and narrower mirror cases for improved visibility and lower wind-resistance. The MAN OptiView camera system was offered as an alternative from early 2022.

The re-designed bumper and air deflectors also contributed to improved airflow, and the new, non-shiny grille was extended to the bumper and improved air intake. The steps to the door were widened and the door gained an increased angle of opening to 89 degrees. A nice touch was the incorporation of control buttons to the lower-inside of the driver’s door, enabling hazard warnings, amongst other functions, to be activated whilst standing outside the cab.

The inside of the cab was newly designed and received greater storage with a well-regarded upgrade in terms of the fabrics and plastics used. The new, smaller, steering wheel gained a wider range of adjustment and retained buttons for the new main dash, and the gear controls were incorporated into a column-mounted stalk.

A new electronic handbrake was tidily installed in the dash and in a break with emerging convention, MAN elected not to go with touchscreen functionality for the central infotainment screen, but to introduce the SmartSelect control wheel instead, being a rotary dial with its own wrist support.

The new TGX range was powered by the D15 engine at 330hp, 360hp or 400hp, the D26 at 430hp, 470hp or 510hp, and the D38 at 540hp, 580hp or 640hp. The Euro-6d engines were matched to TipMatic ZF TraXon transmissions, with a TRATON-derived alternative for some applications. The new HY-1344 rear axle also offered a 2.31:1 ratio for optimised consumption.

Immediately following the launch of the TGX the Covid-19 pandemic struck, with the 2021 IToY being awarded to MAN in Munich at a virtual ceremony. The new trucks had scored 155 votes to see off second-placed Volvo with the latest FH.