At their IAA pre-press conference in Austria in early July, MAN used the opportunity not only to showcase their extensive range of trucks but also to give the assembled European journalists the first drive in the MAN TGE Next level van, as Export & Freight’s Austin Lynch reports.
Arriving at the test track beside the hotel in Tyrol, we were greeted to a line-up of new TGEs, and we were divided into pairs to take to the twisty Austrian alpine roads to put these vans through their paces.
I was paired with Ricardo from Madrid, and with a pre-planned route saved into the satnav, we were told to head off, but to be back in 45 minutes (or they might start to worry).
The MAN TGE is a great looking van, but also has one of the best cabins I have ever been in – and although I was never in a TGE before we were assured this is full of new technology, new features and a smart new luxurious interior.
Due to receive an extensive functional and interior update with the 2025 model year, the MAN TGE (the “truck among vans”) is making the biggest technological leap in its history.
The van from MAN Truck & Bus is getting a completely new on-board network architecture. A new generation of control units fulfils the higher cyber security requirements on the one hand, and significantly increases active and passive safety for drivers and other road users with the help of new driver assistance systems on the other.
The MAN TGE is thus better protected against digital manipulation and unauthorisedchanges to the vehicle software and is also ideally equipped for future digital online services. Another advantage is the ability for over-the-air updates. This eliminates the need for workshop visits for software updates and continuously improves software stability.
The combination of new control units and new radar sensors and cameras has also made it possible to significantly enhance the safety and driver assistance systems e.g. Blind Spot Warning and Drive Off Warning, which are new and are standard on all MAN TGEs over 3.5 tonnes.
MAN currently enjoy 3.2% of the commercial van market – which amounts to 26,600 sales in 2023 / up from 21,500 in 2022). And, upon experiencing this van for myself, you would expect this market share to increase in the years ahead.
We were told the TGE Next Level aims to ‘simplify driving’ and aims to make the driver feel at home –at work. The special copper coloured‘Next Level’ edition is new to the market, and was exclusively revealed in Austria in July. The colour this van comes in is unique to MAN, and among a host of features the van is automatic transmission and has a 12 inch information screen among its extensive list of equipment and features.
The colour is very smart, and looks great clean but let’s hope it still looks good when it has done a few hard weeks work.
The optional assistance systems, Cruise Assist, Cruise Assist Plus and Turn Assist, are also new developments.
Every MAN TGE Next Level comes with; Fatigue Detection, Traffic Sign Information, Intelligent Speed Assist, Emergency Brake Assist1, Parking Assist1, Active Lane Guard System, Cruise Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. This raises the active safety of MAN vans to a new level.
Also new in the standard equipment of MAN TGE with N1 approval are the passenger airbag and an accident recording system – the latter records and stores critical, collision-related parameters and information shortly before, during and immediately after a collision. In this way, important data is available for accident investigations and analyses of the performance of safety equipment. The front passenger airbag is still available as an option for vehicles with N2 approval.
The TGE Next Level also comes with many new comfort features: a new dashboard with digital instrumentation and a large MAN Media Van touch display for controlling the vehicle functions and the infotainment system. The extensively revised vehicle electrics and electronics in combination with the new driver’s workplace and the new and updated assistance systems raise the MAN TGE to a new level, which is why it was given the nickname “Next Level”.
Under the bonnet, the MAN TGE is new and future-proof with the 2025 model year. However, its striking, dynamic exterior remains virtually unchanged. MAN Truck & Bus has therefore created a subtle eye-catcher with the TGE Next Level Edition, which sets visual accents. The edition is already available to order. It consists of the launch colour Pale Copper Metallic, mirror covers in Piano Black, a boomerang trim at the bumper in silver, a “Next” badge in the front grille and 17″ alloy wheels in silver or optionally in black.
The ultra-modern cockpit
The dashboard in the MAN TGE has been completely redesigned and now features a free-standing touch display in the centre. The new instrument cluster is fully digitalised as standard and offers the driver extensive options for customising displays and information.
However, the most striking highlight of the new cockpit is the new MAN Media Van infotainment system, which is the modern control centre for controlling infotainment and vehicle functions. Three variants of the infotainment system are available: The standard MAN Media Van with 10.4″ screen, MAN Media Van Navigation with 10.4″ screen (plus optional functions) and MAN Media Van Navigation Business with 12.9″ screen (plus optional functions).
Driving this van in the beautiful sunshine up some twisty Austrian roads, with the Alps as a spectacular backdrop, was an absolute pleasure. With automatic transmission, and a smooth and responsive powertrain this is a great van, and one of the most enjoyable commercial vehicles I have had the opportunity to drive.
The MAN TGE is very well equipped, and new standard features that make driving the MAN TGE even more pleasant, safer and easier include Keyless Go, electronic parking brake and two USB-C ports.
Furthermore, the TGE with automatic transmission no longer has the previous gear stick. An automatic gear lever on the steering wheel is now available for selecting the driving modes. This increases the available space in the cab, as does the new electronic parking brake, which is activated via a button in the cockpit.
Not only would I recommend the MAN TGE as a great choice for a van, I would also recommend taking it to the Austrian Alps for a spin. You won’t be disappointed.
