12 | COMPARISON
MAN TGE 3.180 versus MAN TGX 18.540
A
unique head-to-head between two MAN Commercial Vehicles at opposite ends of the Munich brand’s range. The comparison report can be described as David against Goliath! These two different products from the same manufacturer, the TGE & TGX are ultimately built for the same purpose; the transport of goods by road. Here is the report from Javier Pedroche (ITOY, Spain). Facing each other are two commercial vehicles of significant difference in size and power, but sharing the same badge and symbol on their grilles, namely the ‘Lion of MAN’, a heritage that the Bavarian manufacturer received from its compatriot Büssing. For the MAN TGE, the van range is a collaboration project with Volkswagen AG, that in 2016 facilitated MAN Truck &
FLEETTRANSPORT | JUL/AUG / 20
Bus to begin a renewed journey in the light commercial vehicle segment, having sold MAN badged versions of Volkswagen light trucks in the past. So today, MAN Truck & Bus covers the complete road transport market from 3.5 tonnes with the TGE, up to 200 tonnes, with the flagship TGX. The green meadows of Burgos surrounding the Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña, a 9th century Trappist Abbey, in North East Spain were the silent witnesses for this unique evaluation test. While the TGE 3.180 on test was presented with its most powerful engine option, developing 177 hp, the TGX 18.540 with its powerful D3876, 15 litre diesel, boasts 540 hp. The difference between the displacement of these two diesel engines is very palpable, because with the TGX achieves its maximum power at 1,800 revolutions, while TGE 3.180
needed double that - 3,600 rpms. Both engines respond to Euro 6 gas emission regulations and adopt similar systems to meet the required levels, such as after-treatment to reduce exhaust gases (SCR), although the TGX’s D38 engine, due to its size and power, needs help via the recirculation of gases (EGR) and a closed particle fi lter system CRT to reach the required standard. When comparing the maximum torque of both models, the 40 tonnes GVW for which the powerful TGX has been developed is primarily to meet the needs of load pulling and at the lowest revs per minute overall speed. The solution offered by the TGE is very different, since its role is more speed and efficiency oriented. Therefore, it’s power versus agility, as witnessed on the roads
