MAN Truck & Bus
20 Oct 2023
Drivers, passengers and operators will all benefit from greater safety, comfort and efficiency. Here is an overview of the new features of the 2024 models.
Winner: in Brussels, the MAN and NEOPLAN buses won the “Busworld Digital Award” for their smart cockpit.
Industry experts and customers alike are impressed by the new digital cockpit from MAN: at Busworld Europe 2023, an international jury presented the “Busworld Digital Award” in the category “Digital On-Board Comfort” for the smart operating concept used in MAN and NEOPLAN buses. We’ll explain in more detail here what exactly has changed in the driver’s workplace for the 2024 model year and what other new features drivers and operators can look forward to.
For these model updates, the developers were guided by the latest technical developments, ongoing digitalisation and new legal frameworks. New legal requirements on a European and worldwide level bring with them many additional demands on manufacturers that could barely be met with the technical basis used up to now. The new vehicle electronics from MAN Truck & Bus meet these future requirements. The vehicles are already prepared for the developments to come over the next few years thanks to the ability to update the systems via secure wireless interfaces (over the air) or direct LAN access.
The new electric and electronic platform is based on the tried-and-tested technology building blocks used in the MAN range of trucks, ensuring that synergies can be utilised. The “Power Train Manager” (PTM) used previously is to be replaced by the “Central Vehicle Manager” (CVM). Its computing power is doubled, meaning that all computing processes on board are much faster. The CVM is not only used as the central control unit for the power train, it is also the node for all the control units within the vehicle.
The previous MUX nodes will become more powerful extended input/output modules (EIOs). Higher performance electronic components replace the control units previously used for individual systems such as doors or air conditioning. All the existing telematics and diagnostic functions are retained and will even be improved via over-the-air updates. This helps to optimise the data quality for all on-board systems.
Twice the display area: the central colour display optimises the transfer of information to the driver.
One highlight of the new digital cockpit is the twelve-inch colour display. The two semi-circular instruments leave a wide space for information in the centre. The rev counter or power meter runs anticlockwise for this purpose. All this makes the display area twice the size of its predecessor. The driver can individually adjust the brightness of the HD display.
The convenient size of the display, the clear and easily understandable arrangement of the different elements and the modern 3D views enable the driver to react quickly by providing all the key vehicle information at a glance. Visual overstimulation and fatigue are avoided, thereby increasing driver safety.
Borrowed from luxury cars: the SmartSelect control knob lets the driver control the media without distraction.
The new SmartSelect control knob fitted in the MAN and NEOPLAN coaches also helps. A turn and push button like this is completely new to the bus sector and had previously only been seen in luxury cars. The overall operating concept and positioning of the MAN SmartSelect unit mean that the driver can remain in their usual driving position while controlling the media, keeping their attention continuously on the road. This significantly reduces negligence or accidental steering errors that could endanger the safety of their driving. The innovative concept is based on the findings of MAN’s developers, who discovered that using a touchscreen to operate key functions is not ideal in a commercial vehicle that is demanding to drive and has a sprung driver’s seat. SmartSelect has already proven itself a thousand times over in MAN trucks.
The new multifunctional steering wheel with adjustable steering column levers fits seamlessly into the new operating concept. It is comfortable to hold and is safe and easy to use. The driver has all the functions within reach – without taking a hand off the wheel. The multifunctional steering wheel offers a wide range of functions arranged in ergonomic and logically grouped function islands. This reduces hand movements to a minimum, which leads to fewer steering errors and increased safety.
Changes for the 2024 model year also include a raft of new and enhanced assistance and safety systems. They are based on the technical possibilities brought in by the new electronics platform or new hardware options. Another new development is the radar-assisted turn assist for the right -hand side of the vehicle where visibility is worse, which can also be combined with optional lane change support on both sides. This is activated automatically at speeds below 30 km/h. The turn assist not only recognises static objects alongside the vehicle up to 4.5 metres away, it also calculates potential trajectories in advance. The system can evaluate the situation proactively and give a visual and audible warning if necessary.
More vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists are often difficult to see in urban traffic, especially if they approach from an area that isn’t that visible, directly in front of the bus. The new collision warning with pedestrian recognition will help: when stationary and at low speeds of up to 10 km/h, it monitors the area directly in front of the vehicle and can identify possible obstacles and risks. If it spots something, the driver is immediately given a visual warning and, depending on the urgency, an audible warning also sounds.
New collision warning: pedestrian recognition warns the driver of possible risks directly in front of the vehicle.
The enhanced emergency brake assist, EBA+, uses the same hardware as the collision warning. The system activates above 10 km/h and essentially functions in the same way as its predecessor, although it now processes more data from the immediate surroundings and reliably identifies vulnerable road users at up to 50 km/h, meaning that the system exceeds the legal requirements. For the new model year, the Lion’s Coach, Tourliner and Skyliner will be fitted with the enhanced emergency brake assist as standard, in compliance with the new legislation from 2024. Emergency brake assist is an optional feature for MAN city and nationwide buses.
There has always been a common theme for all modern MAN combustion engines: maximum efficiency is the priority. With every new stage of development, proven engineering skills from Munich and Nuremberg have reduced fuel consumption even further. The most recent example is the new MAN D26 coach engine that meets Euro 6e exhaust standards. Even with an increase of 10 hp and 50 Nm more peak torque, the advanced 12.4-litre unit uses a total of 2.5 per cent less fuel.
The use of more environmentally friendly fuels is a key requirement for the future of MAN vehicles. That’s why all D26 engines can run on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils) since the introduction of Euro 6e, with the two most powerful variants also able to optionally use Biodiesel B100 (in accordance with EN 14214). The use of HVO in particular is becoming more interesting for private bus operators as the previous legal restrictions have been removed.
Text: Christian Buck
Photos: MAN
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