“Don’t touch the brakes!”
This was the instruction from Penske’s Steve ‘Gibbo’ Gibson as I head at speed toward a mock-up of a car on the road in front of us at the Australian Automotive Research Centre test track near Anglesea, Victoria.
I’m at the wheel of a MAN hauling a laden B-double and as we draw closer another B-double – a Western Star – pulls out onto the track in front of the stationary ‘car’.
The car alone was enough to put the gyps up me, but the thought of trashing that and ending up colliding with the side of that B-dub was enough to rob me of any courage and I swerved at the last second.
It wasn’t as though I was worried about the trucks, after all they weren’t mine. But I was extremely worried for my life. As it happened, the MAN decided I was an idiot and stopped for me anyhow.
“Can I have another go?’ I asked, that lost courage being counteracted by fellow journos and Penske people having a laugh at my expense.
Around the track we went again and sure enough, as we got close (still too close for my liking) the truck did its thing: warning beeps followed by the application of its brakes and we pulled up to a standstill in double quick time – BEFORE we hit said ‘car’.
Hopefully you will never be in a position where this occurs, but it’s there should the need arise. This is just one part of the MAN’s arsenal of safety features and what is a beautiful truck to drive in all respects, both in the way it handles and the interior appointments which are standout.
I’ve been invited by Penske to trial not only MAN, but also some Western Star variations, a golden opportunity to play with two entirely different type of truck.
We have the modern cabover Euro with its plush ride and clever packaging of space up against the big American WS 49X Stratosphere with its 72” bunk, also modern I hasten to add.
All up there were five MAN variants all the way up to 640hp/3000Nm and three WS – the Stratosphere mentioned above, plus a 48X/36”bunk/B-double and a 48X/day cab/single.
On this day all were auto versions but the Western Stars can of course be had with Eaton’s finest.
People have asked me over the years what truck I’d buy if I was in the market and I’ve always mentioned two Euros that stand out for me. I’ve now added MAN to that shortlist.
Of course, they have every conceivable safety feature as standard – as do most trucks these days – including the aforementioned emergency braking.
They are well built, quiet, and powerful and have a classy interior – very tasteful and reminiscent of (parent company) Volkswagen products in its upmarket presentation.
The function buttons on the steering wheel are possibly the simplest and most efficient I’ve come across. Then there’s the piece de resistance in the multi-media screen control.
Falling to hand on the left, under the screen is a palm-sized flap. Pull it back to reveal a knurled knob and you’ve uncovered Smart Select. This controls every function of the multi-media screen.
No more taking your eyes off the road to try and hit the correct icon and no smears all over the screen. The only truck in the world to have this system, Smart-Select is a game changer. In collaboration with Rudolph Diesel, MAN produced the world’s first diesel engine back in 1924 – which still works by the way – so it’s fair to say that they know what they’re doing in this department. Mated to a 12-speed gearbox developed with ZF the loaded truck powers along and changes cogs seamlessly.
Whether you’re in a 520 (here in Oz as a test bed), 540 or 640Kw powered version, these trucks feel more powerful than the figures suggest. As well as driving on substantially flat circuit at the AARC, I also take the ‘back’ road which has steep inclines and descents and these trucks perform more than admirably under all conditions.
There’s so much more to go through with the MAN product that I couldn’t hope to cover here, but if you’re in the market for a Euro you must add these to your shopping list.
I know an operator who has been virtually a one-brand man his whole life. I saw him behind the wheel of a MAN recently and expressed my surprise. He’s bought four of them! Not a bad testimonial. Penske also rent these trucks so there’s a way to give one a really good test drive.
Now it’s the Yank’s turn and I start with that Stratosphere mentioned above. Firstly, there’s no fear of claustrophobia in this truck, such is the space around the driver. If you’re driving ‘The Paddock’ then this is the truck for you.
Indeed, you have the ‘lower south 40’ behind the driver’s seat. You could put your wife, girlfriend and mistress in the back and drive to Perth. By the end of the trip, they still wouldn’t have tripped across each other.
From a table and chairs to double bunks to massive storage this truck delivers a home away from home.
The free revving DD16 in the 49X puts out 600hp and 2700Nm and in this case drives though a 12 speed AMT effortlessly hauling it’s loaded single trailer around the track.
Shame Penske didn’t hook up a road train to play with as that is one market the 49X is aimed at.
The driving feel behind the wheel of the WS is totally different to the MAN but not in a bad way. Climb into the cab and the triple rubber sealing around the door requires a firm pull to shut them.
You won’t get any bulldust into this cab driving across the country. The dials are just that, giving that old-style American ambience in a modern interpretation and complemented with an array of physical switches as well as steering wheel controls.
The ride feels firmer but the ISRI seat takes care of that. This is the toughest and most rigid truck WS has produced, including extra cross beams in the floor for the Aussie market.
The cab is raised high above the tanks to aid air flow and cooling of both motor and cab.
Given the loads this truck is expected to haul in Aussie conditions, Western Star delivers the goods, pun intended.
Of course, you have a bonnet in front of you but vision over and around it in this 49X is very good – and even better in the 47X and 48X where it drops away and is a little shorter.
Similarly, vision around the C-mount large side mirrors is excellent. You can literally hang of these mirrors, and the door pockets for that matter, just two illustrations of the strength built into these trucks.
From there I climb aboard a 48X in B-double set up and a 36-inch bunk. This is a model designed expressly for the Australian and New Zealand markets and offers a choice of DD13 of DD16 donks, depending upon your needs.
This version has a multi-media screen and dash panel borrowed from its Daimler parent and that’s no bad thing. These are supplemented with plenty of switch gear arrayed in three panels of four switches.
These can be swapped around to suit an individual driver’s needs and/or taste – just as they can in the 49X. The cab still exudes plenty of American charm though. Pulling a B-double?
No trouble.
On the safety front Western Star is up right up there with the MAN so whichever brand you chose, you know you’d be as safe as technologically possible.
These Western Stars offer a real alternative to the other American-style offerings on the market and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t try them out before committing your hard-earned.
I know you’re going to be asking which did I prefer, the American or the European?
I love the space, the looks and the ‘masculinity’ of the Stars.
I love the fine details such as the Smart Select in the MAN. Push comes to shove, for me it’s probably the MAN TGX 26.640……or the 49X Stratosphere with its massive dance floor.
OK, if I really have to choose. It’s the…