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MAN are known for making trucks, so the MAN TGE is a new departure for a company.
Its large van is based on the Volkswagen Crafter - MAN is part of the Volkswagen Group - which comes as a direct benefit of Volkswagen acquiring control of MAN in 2012.The TGE range comprises several models and options, due to be gradually phased in. Initially, the range will include panel vans and chassis cabs, while the combi/crew cab and minibus versions are due to be launched at the CV show in Hanover next year.
These new vans mean that MAN now offers a range of commercial vehicles ranging in size from 3 tonnes to 250 tonnes. While most competitors in the light commercial space are primarily car manufacturers who have moved up to vans, MAN is a truck manufacturer extending downwards.
This means there is a major cultural difference when it comes to support and maintenance. Back-up in the truck sector has a ‘can do’ approach of ‘get the vehicle back working’, contrasting with a more regular service offering for cars and vans.
MAN and its 65-strong dealer network operate 16-hour days, six days a week. It also offers flexible maintenance contracts and a 24-hour breakdown service. Each van is sold with a three-year, unlimited-mileage, full manufacturer’s warranty.
As with its Volkswagen Crafter sibling, the TGE panel vans are available in three lengths: 5,986mm standard, 6,836mm long and a 7,391mm extra-long version. The standard has a 3,640mm wheelbase and the other two are rather longer at 4,490mm. The standard model has a normal roof height with 1,726mm inside. The high-roof version can be ordered on any of the length models with an internal height just shy of two metres at 1,961mm. If even more height is needed, a super-high roof can be supplied, but on only the two longer versions. This has an internal height of 2,189mm and an external height of 2,789mm.
The chassis/cab models are available in the same length and wheelbase dimensions as the panel vans. Their height is 2,312mm, about 40mm less than the standard panel van, and can be supplied as either bare chassis or with a platform body. A variety of conversions are expected, with a number of bodybuilders assessing the potential for customising vehicles from the TGE range.
The entry-level MAN TGE starts at 3.0 tonnes permitted total weight, rising to 5.5 tonnes at the top of the range. A trailer coupling allows for an additional 3.5 tonnes of cargo.
All models are powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that is available with power outputs of 102hp, 122hp, 140hp or 177hp and after driving a variety of these vans we can confirm that it is a remarkably quiet installation with little vibration making its way into the cabin. If you really want to go super quiet then there's also a fully electric van called the MAN eTGE which is based on the Volkswagen e-Crafter.
Presently the vans are available as either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a rear-wheel-drive version coming on stream later. This latter version is set to appeal to customers who require the heavier weight categories and a greater towing ability. There is a choice of two gearboxes, a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. The cab is comfortable with plenty of space to put things: under the passenger seat, in the doors, under and on top of the dashboard. A toolbox is under the floor.
It's a direct competitor to models like the Ford Transit and of course the regular Volkswagen Crafter with a diesel engine.
Every van in the TGE range is fitted with an electromechanical steering assembly. This is standard fit because it is required for the various safety and assistance features that are offered. Probably the most significant of these is emergency brake assist (EBA), which is fitted as standard and comes alongside a crosswind assist function, fatigue detection and multi-collision brake assist.
There are various optional safety equipment features, too, and the list includes parking assist and trailer manoeuvring assist functions, both of which depend on fitting the van with all-round proximity sensors. Easy-to-understand dash-mounted displays enable hands-off manoeuvring.
The TGE will also come with a device called a RIO box. This collects relevant data from the vehicle and driver and makes it available for analysis through digital apps. It can be used in mixed fleets, and the apps provide data on the maintenance status of the vehicle and allows analysis of data such as engine revs, the average speed, fuel level or brake usage by the driver. OEM and partner services may be added. It requires no operating system or software and can be used simply via an internet browser. The RIO box will be fitted to all TGE vans as standard from mid 2018.
The TGE is already a fine range of vans and will offer even greater choice by this time next year. They are comfortable to drive, particularly the automatic version, while the optional assist functions ease the pressure on drivers on city delivery work. The clincher is the warranty and impressive after sales support through the MAN dealer network.
When MAN released an image of their all-new interior for the TGE they stole a march on sister company Volkswagen’s big reveal for their Crafter van which had previously been teased with design sketches. Not only did they scoop their Volkswagen Automotive Grop rivals with the reveal of the inside they also released details first too and now, we’ve driven it first as well, the first journalist to get behind the wheel of the new TGE, MAN’s only light commercial vehicle.
The new model for 2025 still shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Crafter and has not had any dramatic changes to its appearance. The obvious changes are on the inside where the new touchscreen is the main talking point but there’s much more to this large van than an interior refresh. Under the skin the new MAN TGE gets 11 new assistance systems bringing the total to 27.
There are new control units as well as new radar sensors and cameras that have allowed MAN to add many more ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) to the van. There’s now Blind Spot Warning and Drive Off Warning, both of which are standard on all MAN TGEs over 3.5 tonnes, while other new assistance systems include Cruise Assist, Cruise Assist Plus and Turn Assist.
MAN is calling this new TGE “Next Level” and the standard equipment has certainly been raised. All TGE vans will come with Fatigue Detection, Traffic Sign Information, Intelligent Speed Assist, Emergency Brake Assist, Parking Assist, Active Lane Guard System, Cruise Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
“It's all about the security of vehicle the safety of the driver, but also other road users,” explains Toni Ward, van sales director for MAN Truck & Bus UK.
“The TGE Next Level really isn’t just limited to an update to the dash. With the new UNECE regulations, which come out next year, which every manufacturer has to follow on improving the safety and security of their vans, the [Volkswagen] plant in Września is the first one to bring a vehicle out to this level.”
Production starts this month with a limited edition launch model, the MAN TGE Next Level Edition, which gets piano black mirrors, silver boomerangs in the bumper, 17-inch alloy wheels in silver or black, and a “Next” badge in the grille. There’s also a stand-out a special Copper Bronze metallic paint, which is an acquired taste that works better in real life than in photographs yet has still found 26 customers since pre-orders began earlier in the year.
More regular UK vans will be available in a choice of three standard trim options from launch, XS, XC and XP. There will also be a repeat of the flagship Lioness trim with upgrades including chrome side running bars.
No changes have been made under the bonnet, with the same 2-litre turbo diesel engine and choice of manual or 8-speed automatic transmissions. Early vehicles, however, will only be available as front-wheel-drive with nominal power ratings of 140hp and 180hp variants. The previous 102hp entry-level engine has been scrapped due to a lack of customer demand. There’s also a 165hp option and it will be followed up with a 202hp front-wheel-drive model. Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vans will join the range in Q4 and Q1 2025 will see the introduction of a 5.5-tonne gross vehicle weight model. Despite its heavy truck network, customers for the TGE are coming from a range of areas now with a strong retail interest in the van.
“In the first instance, in 2017 when MAN had not sold vans before a lot of the customers were existing truck customers. We’ve got a great network of truck guys out there, so of course they’d go and ask [their customers] if they needed any vans. But actually it has come into its own. The work that we have done with the retail customers with the SME customer and with key accounts means we’ve gone all across the board. I think this new van will build on that – if you think about the screen itself and what that offers a customer, with App Connect, if they have their own apps they can use that to push information into the screen, so you don’t need a PDA or another screen. We’re working with the factory on that, but that’s really good. Take the little [digital dash] screen, that looks like a Golf or an E-Tron. For comfort, for the driver, it feels like your driving a car which makes it great for the driver which is also good for the fleet manager,” Ward says.
The new MAN Media Van infotainment system is certainly the most dramatic change to the TGE. A 10.4-inch screen is standard on all vans and can be had with or without built in, but the high-end was will get a 12.9-inch screen fitted in our test vehicle. The cabin now includes an inductive charging cradle for wireless smartphone charging as well as wireless smartphone mirroring. Other new standard features include Keyless Go an electronic parking brake and two USB-C ports.
“The automatic handbrake game changer in this vehicle,” Ward says enthusiastically, recounting an anecdote from a previous job where the fleet manger detailed the abuse drivers gave the handbrake. “They can’t that that with this, and for a fleet manager, in terms of cost and safety having that little button is a real gamechanger,” she adds.
It may seem like a small improvement but that’s really what this update to the TGE is about. Small but significant improvements.
The previous generation TGE was (briefly) available as an electric van but they arrived in the country in small numbers. The eTGE required a right-hand-drive conversion aside from a hefty cost also came with a limited range of around 70 miles. For now, executives at MAN have confirmed that the TGE will not be available as a fully electric model any time soon. However, they are working on an eTGE in the future, with Volkswagen having already confirmed that it will not be introducing an electric version of the eCrafter until 2028.
While the changes to the TGE are mostly consigned to the interior, from behind the wheel you’re quickly reminded of why this van has won over so many customers. The TGE (and the Volkswagen Crafter) are still the benchmark for large vans in terms of driving and comfort. These interior upgrades help cement that status with a modern upgrade, adding in many of the functions new van customers are looking for, not to mention the all important safety systems from lane keeping and parking assistance to more advanced systems like Cruise Assist which combines the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Guard System and Traffic Jam Assist to help the driver maintain distance, speed and lane position and the even more advanced Cruise Assist Plus which consists of the functions of ACC Stop & Go as well as Emergency Assist, Intelligent Speed Assist to provide a near autonomous experience.
Its still a comfortable and smart looking van, but it’s also deeply practical. There’s storage everywhere and there’s even more space for passengers – particularly those in the centre seat. On the face of it, revisions to the new TGE might seem inconsequential but it’s made a great van even better.
