MAN plans new light launch off TGA's springpad
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As our exclusive scoop pictures show, VAN's replacement for the L2000 7.5-tonner is on course for its planned launch this spring. Andy Salter reports.
THE NEW range, seen here for the first time in day-cab form, clearly borrows much of its styling from its TGA stablemate. Many cab components including the door panels, door handles and grille appear common across the range.
As the pictures show, the allnew model features a simple onestep entry. Close examination reveals an all-new cab interior with binnacle style dash, similar to TGA. The big windscreen should give the cab an airy feel, though we trust MAN will be equipping the vehicle with air-con — all that glass will make the interior like a greenhouse in the summer!
Under the cab we're not expecting any major revisions to the engine line-up. MAN has already signalled its intentions to opt for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) at Euro-4; it already uses this technology on Euro-3 units.
Elsewhere on the driveline we expect to see the first commercial application of ZF's six-speed automatic transmission.
This truck had originally been planned for launch at the Hanover truck show last month, but MAN's new board of management in Germany deemed the original designs too heavy, which put the project back by six months.
The smart money is on a launch at the CV Show next April.