Comparison · 4×2 tractor unit · long haul at 19.3 t

MAN TGS 18.420 4x2, tractor unit (2017–2019) vs Volvo FM, 278 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2019)

MAN TGS 18.420 4x2, tractor unit (2017–2019)

2017–2019 · 309 kW
35.3l/100 km
median; 32.1–38.8 across 140 declared configurations

Volvo FM, 278 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2019)

2016–2019 · 278 kW
32.9l/100 km
median; 32.5–36.2 across 8 declared configurations
MAN TGS 18.420 4x2, tractor unit (2017–2019) and Volvo FM, 278 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2019) side by side
SpecificationMAN TGS 18.420 4x2, tractor unit (2017–2019)Volvo FM, 278 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2019)
Vehicle formTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)RegisteredTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)Registered
Axle configuration4×2Declared4×2Declared
Registered new2017–2019Registeredcentral 90% of records2016–2019Registeredcentral 90% of records
Engine power309 kWDeclared278 kWDeclared
Engine displacement12.4 litresDeclared10.8 litresDeclared
Gearboxautomated, manualDeclaredautomatedDeclared
Emission classEURO 6, EURO VI CRegisteredEURO VI B, EURO VI CRegistered
Gross vehicle weight18,000–21,000 kgRegisteredmedian 20,500 kg, across 6 type-approval versions and 6 records without one19,000–22,000 kgRegisteredmedian 20,500 kg, across 27 type-approval versions and 2 records without one
Kerb weight6,700–7,570 kgRegisteredmedian 7,366 kg, over 106 registrations6,854–11,075 kgRegisteredmedian 7,379 kg, over 147 registrations
Wheelbase3,600–3,900 mmRegisteredmedian 3,600 mm, over 106 registrations3,700–4,000 mmRegisteredmedian 3,800 mm, over 147 registrations
Overall length5,880–6,500 mmRegisteredmedian 5,980 mm, over 106 registrations5,890–6,210 mmRegisteredmedian 5,990 mm, over 147 registrations
Overall height3,070–3,910 mmRegisteredmedian 3,840 mm, over 103 registrations3,100–3,910 mmRegisteredmedian 3,880 mm, over 46 registrations
Declared fuel, long haul35.3 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 32.1–38.8 l/100 km across 140 declared configurations32.9 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 32.5–36.2 l/100 km across 8 declared configurations
CO₂ per tonne-km47.8 g Declaredmedian; 43.5–52.6 g44.7 g Declaredmedian; 44–49 g

Fuel and CO₂: long haul at 19.3 t, 2019 declarations.

What the numbers actually say

There is 2.4 l/100 km between these two (7.2%). That is inside the 10% tolerance of declared figures, so on fuel alone neither is the better choice: at 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre the gap would be about 2,880 litres a year (£4,032). The declared figures for one of them alone span 6.7 l/100 km across its configurations, so the specification ordered matters more than the choice between these two.

Fuel over a year

120,000 km · assumed price
MAN TGS 18.420 4x2, tractor unit (2017–2019)42,360 litres
£59,304 at the assumed price
Volvo FM, 278 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2019)39,480 litres
£55,272 at the assumed price
At 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre; the price is an assumption, not one we track.