Usually, it’s a Scania, Volvo, or DAF tractor that gets an aftermarket exterior and interior makeover. So seeing Manders’ late-model MAN TGX, the truck maker’s top model, was a refreshing change from the norm.
Make it look as if the tractor was carved from a single piece of metal, that’s ‘truckstyling’ in optima forma. And naturally, a first-rate paint job is obligatory.
The inside job was done by Pennings Interieurs. Rare these days is a manual transmission in a newish heavy-duty tractor, in this case the established, synchronized ZF Ecosplit 16-speed.
Once the MAN is rolling down the road, the clutch can be operated by pressing a small button on the left side of the gear shift knob, known as the ComfortShift option.
For comparison purposes, here’s the factory interior of a contemporary MAN TGX, equipped with a ZF TraXon automated manual transmission.
Manders’ 510 DIN-hp PLC is powered by a MAN D26 turbodiesel, an inline-six with a displacement of 12.4 liter.
Quite recently, the Traton 12.7 liter ‘world engine’ was added to MAN’s lineup of diesel machines. In their vehicles it’s called the D30 PowerLion. Traton SE from Germany is the parent company of MAN (Neoplan included), Scania, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus (Brazil).
The outstanding tractor at work, coupled to a Broshuis and Nooteboom trailer, respectively (both pictures courtesy of the Only Way Is Dutch truck style movement).
Realistically, this two years old tractor is already a classic, in all senses of the word. It’s powered by a genuine MAN engine and it has a manual transmission, among others.
Beautiful truck! Ultimate pain in the butt to work on!
Usually, a body is not taken off a truck for maintenance reasons either. Not to mention working on panel vans and today’s huge buses and coaches, in which case everything is covered to the max.
Post lifts are common here in the States now but I’d rather lay on my back then work over my head, just me. Also the thought of a 1000# RoadRanger coming off a jack while I’m kneeling behind it doesn’t scare me as much as having it above me.
Hang on a minute! Are you telling me that these cabs don’t tilt any more? (btw, that post-lift is also new to me, and a tad bit scary with it).
They do tilt alright.
Wow – I think I’ve found my favorite European truck! Classy brown interior, patterned upholstery, manual transmission… what’s not to love??
The ComfortShift button is interesting. Since it apparently can’t be used when starting up or stopping the truck, I guess it’s one more thing to keep track of, but I assume that once a driver’s accustomed to it, that it saves some effort.
It’s a MANly interpretation of a brown, RWD, diesel station wagon with a manual transmission.
Nice rig although it is a MAN its nicely finished and they have a good engine warranty, make sure you sign up for that, you’ll need it.
I see this truck has the Bordello Pack interior, (though disappointingly, sans chandelier). Driver likes to ride big and high, and often, it seems, but I’m digressing.
Traton, says our man in Holland casually, is a German company. Out of curiosity (I can never remember who owns what in the world of trucks), I had a look on Wikipedia. Pickle me grandmother! What a an incredible labyrinth of corporate weaving and ducking and diving leads to Traton.
And folks, if you all thought “Stellantis” moved you in the wrong way, try this: the name stands for TRAnsformation, TRAnsportation, TRAdition, TONnage and always “ON”. Spare me days! All those storied names of truck reduced to an acronym invented by some feeble and internet-brain-rotted 23 y.o. with a degree in illiteracy.
More seriously, it says there that the group produced 334K vehicles in 2024, with 105K employees world wide (and we’re talking big trucks like this to tidler 4 or so tonners). Seems very inefficient, surely?
Luckily they didn’t call it TraTraTraTonOn then.
Quite a bit more comfortable than where I spend my days! Manual transmissions are becoming uncommon on this side of the Atlantic too.