Well as you may have all realised i had to keep my clubcard points well and truly in my pocket at the IAA show. It would have been all to easy to take up the German’s offer of €57,000 for this little beauty. The truck was about 5m long wheel base, which is slightly to long for my needs, so i had to decline! From the Pearlescent White paint to the gloss black chassis to the perfect 17.5 inch Alcoa Ally wheels, i think i have to award this liitle fella the “Best in Show” award, yes if i was the judge then i am biased.

From all angles this is a good looking MAN, perhaps its down to the fact it has the big truck feel, with the Space Cab equivalent LX Cab. I dont know if this was specced with all the bells and whistles but i can’t have been far off, even down to the tinted side windows. The worst thing about the show was, i couldn’t read the Spec sheets for each truck. Although i can read some basic German the likes of; Zwilling kampiert – Kühlschrank – Luft Hat Sitz Suspendiert, had me stumped! (Twin Bunks – Fridge – Air Suspended Seat).

This truck was the 12 Ton, plated at 11,990 kgs, with the top of the range 250hp engine, although i think Mr German Sales Man was trying to tell me they may soon be bringing in the 290hp unit from the 15 tonners. If you look carefully you may just see the gear stick with the 4 over 4 box. You even get a big truck gearbox in the little truck! Although there is an automatic option.

This must have been a top spec truck as it goes as i’ve just realised the passenger seat was Luft Hat Sitz Suspendiert too. The more i think about it the more i should have said yes! The interiour is spacious and well layed out. There is no feeling of being in a small cab. At 6ft 1 i was plenty of room for me to stand in the passenger foot well, as there is no locker above the windscreen on this side of the cab. There are 2 other lockers above the windscreen, one above the driver and one in the centre, either one big enough for a small microwave. The fridge is a good size and looks like the same size one found in larger MAN’s. I think double manning in this cab would be fine, even if your not of Eastern European descent.

I was also pleased to finally see the back of those horrible rear lights MAN trucks have been fitted with for the last few years, you know the ones, with the slightlyblue and red lens. Back to proper rear lights is best. You can also see below the truck is fitted with an easily adjustable an roof deflector.