This uncompromising long-haul transport vehicle model has been on the market for almost two years and is enjoying popularity worldwide.
– The market success of the MAN EfficientLine models proves that we are meeting our customers’ expectations regarding efficient and, consequently, environmentally friendly vehicle operation. We have confirmed that our efficiency-improving technologies can be successfully applied in everyday long-haul transport. Thanks to them, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by up to 3 liters, or about 10 percent. Every TGX EfficientLine that replaces a conventional long-haul truck will save 4,500 liters of diesel fuel per year, which corresponds to 12 tons of CO2. This motivates us to further develop the EfficientLine offering: at the IAA 2012 trade fair, for example, we will present the highly fuel-efficient MAN Lion’s Coach EfficientLine coach – said Dr. Frank Hiller, member of the Management Board of MAN Truck & Bus AG responsible for Sales and Marketing.
EfficientLine globally
Transport efficiency is becoming increasingly important in non-European markets as well, partly because diesel prices are rising rapidly in developing countries too. For the MAN Group, the EfficientLine concept has a global dimension. An example of this is South Korea – a market where it is necessary to meet transport efficiency requirements similar to European ones. MAN TGX EfficientLine vehicles have been present on that market since March 2012.
Specifically for developing markets, characterized by poor road quality and difficult operating conditions, MAN has also prepared exceptionally fuel-efficient long-haul trucks using EfficientLine technology. This also includes available safety systems, such as the Lane Guard System (LGS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Part of the efficiency concept in global markets is also driver training through MAN ProfiDrive®. The TGS EfficientLine with special equipment for demanding conditions is popular in African and Asian markets, as well as in Latin America and Russia.
Factors influencing efficiency
MAN has analyzed the factors that determine particularly efficient transport. In the case of the MAN TGX EfficientLine, MAN, as the first vehicle manufacturer, consistently aimed to develop a vehicle configured appropriately by utilizing the fundamental laws of physics.
Excellent aerodynamics ensure fuel savings: since air resistance is primarily responsible for fuel consumption in long-haul transport, MAN EfficientLine vehicles have no additional elements such as sun visors or air horns. At the same time, aerodynamic side fairings and a roof spoiler perfectly matched to the semi-trailer are part of the tractor unit. MAN EfficientLine benefits from aerodynamics in one more way: when driving at 85 km/h – instead of 89 km/h – driving resistance is reduced by 10 percent. This allows for significant fuel savings, and as experience shows, it is not accompanied by a significant loss of time.
Drivetrain optimization: decisive additional benefits in terms of efficiency can be achieved not only by improving individual components but also by improving the entire drivetrain by MAN. Common rail engines, economical drivetrain components, and the intelligent gear-shifting process in the MAN TipMatic® are matched in such a way that they work together optimally. The improved three-phase alternator provides a 4 percent higher efficiency level while simultaneously ensuring higher power. Daytime running lights consume roughly a quarter of the power of halogen low-beam headlights. The MAN Air Pressure Management (APM) system reduces power loss during compressed air generation in the EfficientLine. Lightweight construction ensures higher payload. In the TGX EfficientLine model, a particularly lightweight front and rear axle suspension is used – about 80 kg lighter than before. The compressed air tank, fuel tank, and aluminum wheels also contribute to reducing the vehicle’s weight.
Flexible packages tailored to various customer requirements
The EfficientLine offer can be flexibly adapted to customer requirements. In addition to the base model – a two-axle tractor unit with an XLX cab – three-axle TGS and TGX models with larger or smaller cabs and various suspension variants are also available with the EfficientLine package. MAN also offers appropriate packages intended for the use of the TGS in long-haul transport. In this way, for example, tanker semi-trailers can be combined with an aerodynamically optimized tractor unit.