The 2024 MAN TGE is set to get a notable upgrade to its equipment, safety kit and even engine offering.
The new changes will come about thanks to a model year update that is due to be a comprehensive one by van standards. MAN says there will be a new electric and electronic architecture to the extent that ‘everything under the bodywork will change’.
Some of these changes are as a result of new cyber security regulations, while others are due to incoming safety laws. However, MAN is using the model year update to offer other upgrades that will boost the standard levels of kit. This is all good news for one of the best large vans you can get.
What kit will the MY25 MAN TGE come with?
All new MAN TGEs will get a significant level of electronic assistance systems included as standard. This includes traffic sign information, emergency brake assist, parking assist active, lane guard system, fatigue detection and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Some of these, such as the lane keep assist and the fatigue detection will also be upgraded. The latter, for example, will now add physical interactions such as a tightening of the driver’s seatbelt to act as a warning.
Outside of safety, MAN says that the new model year will bring about a new dashboard and infotainment screen for the cabin. This will mean the TGE gets the latest version of the VW touchscreen system that has not won universal praise among users, particularly for its lack of buttons.
An MAN spokesperson said that there would be some small tweaks that the company could make, but these amount to little more than cosmetic alterations. Instead, sadly, MAN users will have to lose the shortcuts that were on offer on the outgoing system.
The other new kit includes:
- Smartphone integration
- A digital instrument panel
- Electronic parking brake
- Keyless start
- Passenger airbag
- USB-C sockets
- Crash data recorder
What about the engine range?
Although the engine range in the MAN TGE looks set to stay the same, with a set of 2.0-litre diesels on offer, the company will offer an optional upgrade courtesy of its MAN Individual programme. This will take the most powerful engine, the 177hp 2.0-litre, and modify the ECU to bring about more power.
This should see the engine get as much as 202hp – a boost of 25hp – although torque will remain unchanged at 410Nm.
This should bring about benefits when it comes to overtaking slower moving vehicles. MAN doesn’t have official figures for what it will offer in terms of increased performance, but a company representative said that it will be most effective between speeds of 50mph and 72mph, where it should shave between three and four seconds off the acceleration time.
This is an option that is separate to the MY25 updates and should be offered as of autumn 2023.
What about the MAN eTGE electric van?
The bad news is that the forthcoming updates don’t include any form of electric TGE. While MAN had been converting left-hand drive vehicles to be right-hand drive, this is no longer happening due to there not being much of a business case and because of the strength of the new Ford E-Transit.
Instead, MAN has turned its attention to what it calls the ‘eTGE 2.0.’ While it has not given any information on this, the best guess we have is that this will be based on the next generation of TGE. Volkswagen has previously said that there will not be a right-hand drive version of the eCrafter until the van is replaced, and this may not happen until 2026.
When can I buy the MY25 MAN TGE?
The good news is that you will shortly be able to order a TGE with the upgraded equipment levels. The bad news is that it won’t be with you any time soon – MAN’s lead times are in the region of 12 months, and you will only be able to order the new models because the company has run out of the older versions.
Expect to see these upgraded versions heading out to customers around the middle of 2024 therefore.
