RETTmobil 2019: Whether red or white – MAN’s a favourite

• For the first time, MAN was showcasing two emergency medical service vehicles based on the TGE van.
• As market leader for fire service vehicles in Germany, MAN presented three firefighting trucks based on its TGL and TGM models.

MAN TGE turns into a rescue vehicle

At the RETTmobil trade fair (Fulda, 15 – 17 May 2019) in hall 6, MAN Truck & Bus is presenting for the first time two ambulance vehicles based on the TGE van. Outside, the market leader for fire service vehicles in Germany is also showcasing two firefighting trucks as well as a logistics vehicle with pump.

• Première for the MAN TGE as an ambulance (RTW) – both as a box-type van as well as with a box body in hall 6, stand 603
• Vehicle body expertise proven over decades, now also for vans

It may be the latest offspring of the MAN commercial vehicle family, but it is nevertheless a fully-fledged member. And, contrary to popular opinion on the “youth of today”, the MAN TGE is extremely helpful. This year the MAN Truck & Bus van will be demonstrating this fact for the first time at the RETTmobil in Fulda, which is Europe’s leading trade fair for rescue and mobility (2018: 540 exhibitors from 20 countries). In hall 6, stand 603, the TGE will celebrate its trade fair début as an upgraded box-type ambulance from Ambulanz Mobile, as well as an ambulance with box body from WAS Wietmarscher Ambulanz- und Sonderfahrzeug.

The equipment highlights of the two TGE exhibits in Fulda include the high-torque engine with 177 hp, as well as the 8-speed automatic gearbox; two features which are crucial when it comes to deployment in emergency rescue scenarios. In addition to the top engine with 177 hp (130 kW), the TDI engine with a capacity of 1,968 cm3 is also available in the performance graduations 102 hp (75 kW), 122 hp (90 kW) and 140 hp (103 kW). A 6-speed manually operated gearbox is installed as standard.

With the MAN TGE, a crucial aspect in all driving scenarios is safety: the van is equipped with Emergency Brake Assist as standard. This ensures the safety of ambulance service personnel and patients in extreme situations and is an innovation in the vehicle class of up to 3.5 tons. Furthermore, an extremely comprehensive, optional range of driver assistance systems ensures safety and makes the driver’s tasks easier; they can then concentrate on the traffic and the reactions of other road users when responding to an emergency. MAN TGE vehicles can optionally be equipped with the active Lane Guard System, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), multi-collision brake, blind spot assistant or assisted high-beam headlights, among other things. When driving at night and with restricted visibility, the optional LED main headlights also add to the level of safety.

In order to ensure the climate in the vehicle is always pleasant for the patient and the ambulance service personnel in all climatic conditions, in addition to an air-conditioning system, the TGE trade fair vehicles are fitted with independent air heating and an auxiliary water heater/electrical auxiliary air heater. This is just one example of the comprehensive range of special equipment enabling every ambulance service to configure a vehicle to their particular needs. This also includes the option to choose between front, rear, and particularly safe all-wheel drive. The TGE box-type van is available in three roof heights, two wheelbases and two rear overhangs. The TGE cowls, on which the box bodies are mounted, are also available in two wheelbases and with two overhang variants. The maximum overall length for the cowl is 7,211 mm; for the box-type van 7,391 mm.

The ambulance vehicles’ highlights

At its stand in hall 6, MAN is presenting two ambulances: one upgraded box-type van from Ambulanz Mobile, as well as a box body from WAS Wietmarscher Ambulanz- und Sonderfahrzeug. The ambulance upgrade from Ambulanz Mobile is the Delfis CR model, which can be used as a type B emergency ambulance or type C ambulance. The highlights here include a structured spray-coated floor, central electrical system with central control of the vehicle functions and touchscreen, as well as LED blue light with the highest level of effectiveness. The stretcher used is the Stryker M1 Rugged model, which rests on a suspended table with an automatic loading position in the vehicle. On the roof, the aerodynamic blue light consoles, as well as the electronic sirens with their ambulance siren simulation, are also noteworthy.

The ambulance box body from WAS is a type C ambulance. The WAS 500 RTW ambulance, with its internal dimensions of 3,590 x 2,080 x 1,975 mm (L x W x H) has a right-hand sliding door that is 1.2 m wide with a sliding window, as well as double folding doors at the rear (lockable at 90° and 270°). To facilitate working practices and to optimise ergonomics, the emergency cases and rucksacks can be reached via the sliding door on the right-hand side. The underfloor storage compartment to the front left also houses the rescue tools. All of the inside and outside lighting in the WAS RTW 500 uses LED technology. Further technical highlights are the Brigade 360° camera system including 4 cameras and 7" monitor, as well as an automatic system for controlling the air-conditioning system and independent heating. The air-conditioning system has a bacteria filter in the evaporator which reduces bacteria, streptococci and fungi through photocatalysis using LED light.

MAN vehicle body expertise put into practice

With their trade fair presence in Fulda, MAN is emphasising the fact that their body expertise, gained over decades in the truck sector, can be transferred over to vans for emergency services vehicles. At the core of the MAN body philosophy is the concept that the body manufacturer is considered to be a partner with whom the best solution for the customer is created. The fact that the MAN TGE is increasingly gaining popularity amongst body manufacturers as the basis of their vehicles can be seen from other stands at RETTmobil. The manufacturers AMZ, Binz, Freytag, hospiMobil and Rodriguez Lopez Auto are exhibiting ambulance and fire service vehicles on the basis of the TGE.

From a technical point of view, when it comes to the TGE, the customer-specific function unit should be highlighted amongst other things. This unit simplifies the actuation of special body functions. With the unit, for example, the second air-conditioning system can be actuated, using the additional function for deactivating the automatic start-stop system for consistent air-conditioning operation.

Additional advantages of the MAN TGE as the basis for emergency services vehicles, are the dense European network of service workshops, along with the their understanding of the particular requirements of rescue organisations and fire services. This is reflected in long opening hours and flexible appointments, amongst other things.

Technical data

MAN fire-fighting vehicles at RETTmobil 2019

MAN will be showcasing three fire service vehicles at the RETTmobil trade fair in Fulda from 15 to 17 May 2019. At a second stand, MAN will be presenting two ambulances on the basis of the TGE van for the first time.

• MAN is the market leader for fire service vehicles in Germany
• Emergency services vehicles available in Euro 5 and Euro 6 versions
• The MAN TGL will be exhibited as an “MLF” type vehicle; the MAN TGM as an “HLF 20” and as an “LF-Logistik” vehicle

Fire service vehicles on MAN chassis have been a familiar sight at the body manufacturer stands at the RETTmobil trade fair for years. This year, the commercial vehicle manufacturer from Munich is exhibiting with two stands of its own in Fulda for the first time. In hall 6 stand 603, the focal point will be on the new MAN TGE as an ambulance. Outside at stand 93, MAN will be presenting three emergency services vehicles for the fire service:

• Medium-sized firefighting truck (MLF) on the MAN TGL 8.180 4x2 BB Euro 6 with MAN crew cab as standard. Body from Schlingmann
• Support vehicle/group firefighting truck (HLF 20) on the MAN TGM 13.290 4x4 BL Euro 6. Body from Rosenbauer
• Logistics vehicle with pump (LF-Logistik) on the MAN TGM 18.340 4x4 BB Euro 5 with MAN Individual group cab with nine seats. Body from Freytag

MAN is the market leader for the fire service in Germany

For several years, MAN has been at the forefront when it comes to the number of fire service vehicle registrations in Germany. MAN is also very successful on the market in several European countries. The MAN vehicles in the series TGL (7.5 – 12 tons permissible gross weight), TGM (12 – 18 tons) and TGS (from 18 tons) are available for the wide range of bodies required to master the challenges of the fire service. MAN provides its chassis and engines in line with the Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions regulations. This means the manufacturer of commercial vehicles also has a range for the Euro 5 exemption that exists in Austria and certain German federal states.

The MAN TGL 8.180 or TGL 8.220 with on-road drive form the basis of the MLF. MAN constructs the crew cab, which is available as standard, for a six-person crew on the same assembly line as all the other cabs for the TGL and TGM series; this cab therefore has the same level of manufacturing and paint quality.

The product portfolio from the MAN TGM series for the exhibited HLF 20 and LF-Logistik vehicles, is more diverse. On-road and all-wheel drive is available, along with chassis for 13 to 18 tons permissible gross weight. The engine output of the MAN D08 engine, a 6-cylinder in-line engine is – depending on the model – 250 hp (184 kW), 290 hp (213 kW) or 320 hp (235 kW) for Euro 6, or 340 hp (250 kW) for Euro 5. The LF-Logistik vehicle, which was constructed by Freytag using a centrifugal firefighting pump FPN 10-2000 from PF Johstadt and equipped with a 1500-litre water tank for firefighting, was provided with the group cab with nine seats made from glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) by MAN Individual. The doors are raised to the edge of the roof for safe entry and exit. MAN put this crew cab through comprehensive crash tests before letting it go into mass production. It has been awarded the ECE R29 test certificate for protection of cab occupants.

With MAN, the selection of Euro 5 is advantageous as the D08 engine installed in the TGL and TGM series manages to clean exhaust gases without the additive AdBlue fluid. This results in advantages when it comes to the installation space and weight in comparison to the Euro 6 engine, which uses cleaning technology involving AdBlue fluid. This is particularly important for fire service vehicles as they have specific space requirements for the lower equipment areas that are often to the sides of the frame, along with their payload requirements for the comprehensive loads on board.

From the numerous equipment details, the MAN TipMatic Emergency is particularly noteworthy. MAN has optimised the automated manually operated gearbox specifically to the requirements of fire service deployment situations. The automatic gear selection provides fast acceleration and targeted downshifting when braking in order to move off quickly following a turn or after crossing a junction. As an alternative, MAN can install a converter automatic gearbox from Allison with an optional retarder in the MAN TGM in the Euro 6 version.

MAN TGE for the fire service

The new MAN van in the weight class from 3 to 5.5 tons is suitable for multiple fire service applications due to its range of variants. Box-type vehicles can be upgraded to become equipment vehicles; small buses can be equipped as team transport vehicles and command vehicles. Chassis with crew cabs are provided with box bodies which are used as pumping appliance vehicles, equipment vehicles or logistics vehicles. Patient transport vehicles and ambulances can be used for both emergency medical services as well as fire services. A completely new diesel engine generation is in operation in the MAN TGE which is characterised by its durability and reliability. The engines, with their 1,968 cm3 capacity, are offered with 102 hp (75 kW), 122 hp (90 kW), 140 hp (103 kW) and 177 hp (130 kW). Depending on the permissible total weight, front, rear or all-wheel drive options are possible, together with either a 6-speed manually operated gearbox or an 8-speed automatic gearbox. When it comes to the chassis, a choice can be made between single or crew cabs with two to seven seats.

The driver is supported by a comprehensive range of driver assistance systems. This means the driver can concentrate on the traffic and the reaction of other road users particularly whilst driving to the place of deployment. With Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) as standard, MAN pays considerably into road safety. The integrated city emergency brake function automatically brakes the vehicle at low speeds. The reversing assistant, which is optionally available, provides support when reversing out of a parking space. The electromechanical power steering compensates for counter-steer forces, such as those experienced during side winds, for example. Fatigue detection and the multi-collision brake serve to provide safety for everyone; the latter helps to prevent further collisions with other obstacles or road users.