10 Years of MAN TGE
MAN Truck & Bus is marking an important milestone for its TGE large commercial van, with the introduction of a special 10 years ‘Next Level’ edition.
Originally launched in 2016 to expand MAN’s portfolio from heavy-duty trucks down into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market, the TGE has expanded beyond a basic panel van into camper conversions, three-way tippers, and crew cabs.
The vehicle’s 10-year run culminates in the release of the MAN TGE Next Level and its exclusive launch variant, the Next Level Edition. Rather than a minor cosmetic facelift, this milestone brings a massive, car-like interior overhaul, cutting-edge software architecture, and top-tier safety integration.
The decade-marking limited-edition variant is available now, featuring an exclusive front grille badge, premium steering wheel inlays, and upgraded bundled features. A newly designed dashboard introduces a larger centre digital control panel from the Volkswagen Group, allowing for the intuitive control of the vehicle’s functions and the MAN Media Van infotainment system.
One such company that is utilising the MAN TGE Next Level in its everyday operations is Hitachi Construction Machinery UK, who says the vehicle demonstrates its versatility in a wide range of applications.
“I spend more time in the new TGE than at home, so everything has to be perfect – and it is,” said field service engineer Dean Barraclough, pinpointing his enthusiasm for the vehicle. Since 2020, the company has benefited from a close partnership with MAN Truck & Bus and now has 72 MAN TGE 3.180 4×4 vans in its fleet.
These vehicles are out and about every day, travelling throughout the United Kingdom. Whether they are deployed to farms or construction sites, service engineers like Barraclough and his colleagues perform repairs and maintenance work on Hitachi construction machinery directly on-site.
“We decided on 4×4 vehicles, because we work in very challenging environments,” he explained. “The 4×4 system, together with the differential lock, is genuinely impressive, especially on steep slopes.”
The conditions are unusually tough, as Paul Breheny, fleet manager at Hitachi, emphasised: “We need a robust vehicle that can cope with the rough terrain on construction sites like this.”
But the TGE isn’t just tough – it’s also surprisingly comfortable. Barraclough raves about it, saying: “It’s as if you were driving a luxury car and not a work vehicle. We are already looking forward to the winter months, when we can put the heated steering wheel to the test.”
There are also many practical details that make the difference when it comes to customisation. “Being able to access the toolbox from the side is much safer and more convenient, because we don’t have to climb into the back of the van so often,” said Barraclough.
And then there’s also the external work lights, which make it possible to work with good light conditions even when the doors of the TGE are kept shut in winter and in bad weather.
Another success factor is the comprehensive service MAN provides for its customers. “MAN’s workshops are available 24/7 at most locations. This reduces vehicle downtimes, as we are usually able to collect the vans and drive away again at 7 a.m. the next day.”
Users are impressed by this high service quality and the many plus points of the vehicles, as proven by a driver survey conducted by Hitachi before the most recent order was placed. Fleet Manager Breheny summed up the results, saying “The feedback on the MAN TGE was really positive, so we think we have the right tool for the job.”