Trucks are more than just a tool for working. For drivers, trucks are their home. Drivers work on the truck and also rest and sleep on the truck. The cab of modern trucks has evolved a lot. Richer technology and more comfortable configurations make it infinitely closer to the goal of being a "home".
But are you curious, what did the cabs of trucks look like in the past? In today's article, Tiga Commercial Vehicle Network takes the German Mann Commercial Vehicle as an example, selects some classic models, and takes you on this time train together to see the evolution of the truck cab of Mann in Germany.
The concept of trucks appeared as early as the beginning of the last century, when the world's freight transport was mainly based on horses, and the emergence of trucks was limited to the goal of replacing horses. As a result, truck cabs from this period were designed to resemble carriages. The MAN-Saurer truck is equipped with an all-wooden cab roof, leather cushions, side doors and front windshield, with no side windshield. At the time, this configuration was fully in line with luxury carriages, and most trucks had only a simple seat and steering wheel, and did not even have a front windshield or roof.
This continued until the 1930s. Beginning in the 1930s, truck cabs became larger in size, and fully enclosed cabs were introduced into MANn's truck offerings, both front and sidewind. The MANN S 1 H 6 truck pictured here was born in 1928 and was the first MAN truck to adopt the MAN logo on the front grille, replacing the original MAN DIESEL logo.
Its cab interior is equipped with three leather seats and also features a backlit dashboard. Many devices are electrified, such as the information on the dashboard is transmitted by electrical signals, and the headlights of the vehicle are also transmitted by electric lights, which are much better than kerosene lamps. Mann then developed the MK series of trucks and developed the MK 25 and MK 26 trucks based on the MK trucks. Both trucks add air conditioning inside the cab, a cab configuration that Mann advanced earlier.
Born in 1951, the MAN F8 was mann's first revolutionary truck product. On the F8, although it continued the classic long-head arrangement, the cab was greatly increased in size and the seat height became adjustable.
Some vehicles were equipped with folding tables, while others were fitted with folding seats as shown above, greatly expanding the size of the sleepers and pairing them with leather cushions to provide quality sleep for drivers at the time. Therefore, this cab is also affectionately called "bird's nest" by drivers.
In 1957, MAN introduced the 700-1000 L1 series of trucks, which began to support the optional flat-headed cab, the flat-headed version known as the 700-1000 L1F, just like the 10.212F in the picture above, which was the main product of this generation of trucks.
On the 700-1000 L1F model, Mann released a cab called the "Pausbacke", which means "chubby cheeks" in German and looks cute both in terms of name and appearance. The vehicle's wipers were increased to three at the time, with air conditioning inside the cab and a dedicated air outlet for the front windshield to help defogg the front. For the first time, curtains have been added to the sleeper space, and metal tubular bed panels have been used instead of the original metal plate bed boards, all of which improve the comfort of the driver when resting.
In the late 1960s, MAN worked with French commercial vehicle manufacturer Saviem to develop the new F7 cab, replacing the "Pausbacke" cab. The cab is available in three versions, such as the sleeper cab pictured above and the cab for a short delivery truck. In 1969, Mann also introduced a short cab for short-haul transport. The cab can be lifted forward for easy service. The main driver's seat is equipped with shock absorbers, while the passenger seat is also equipped with armrests, headrests and an adjustable backrest.
In the late 1970s, Mann redeveloped the cab of the F8 truck. The cab of the upgraded F8 truck launched that year has an electric crosswind and an in-car refrigerator, which greatly improves the living attributes of the cab. An adjustable spoiler at the top of the cab improves aerodynamics and reduces fuel consumption. In 1979, MAN added options such as a wardrobe, a soft side bag and a hydraulic shock-absorbing seat with heating to the cab.
In 1986, the Mann F90 was introduced, and the "easy to drive" model was born. The F90 cab is more spacious, practical, comfortable and ergonomic than its predecessors. After 1989, MAN came standard with power steering and seat belts for all its commercial vehicle products, further enhancing driving comfort. Its cab is available in two versions, a longer haul cab with more space and a basic cab for local transport. Both cabs can be lifted forward for easy service, and the front windshield is tilted back by 10 degrees, effectively improving aerodynamic performance.
Later, the F2000 truck went on the market. The truck is based on the F90 and differs in detail. The F2000 features new headlights, which consist of two round lampholders inside. Two large vents are opened on the bumper to enhance heat dissipation and improve aerodynamic performance.
There are also some changes to the interior of the cab, with an optional entertainment screen in the cab and wooden dashboard trims. The seats also have an upgraded leather finish and a lumbar rest. The dimensions of the cab have also been expanded to provide four different cabs with different spaces.
In 2002, MAN introduced the TGA model, ushering in a new era of Trucks oriented towards Trucknology Gereration and setting a new benchmark in the industry. The model has six different versions of the cab, from the smallest M cab to the XXL cab, adapting to a wide variety of transports, and equipped with a comfortable mattress up to 2.2 meters long to meet the sleep needs of the driver when resting. The addition of configurations such as entertainment systems has also made the transportation process easier and more enjoyable for drivers.
In 2007, TGA models were subdivided into TGX models specializing in road transport and TGS models focusing on engineering special vehicles, enhancing the specialization of MAN's truck products. The cab has been continuously improved in terms of ergonomics, comfort and functionality. High-quality interior materials, silver-black colored instrument panels and steering wheels became classics. The vehicle's steering wheel is multi-directional and adjustable, the internal button angles are easily accessible, and the gear shift knob and handbrake located behind the main driving side provide a unique driving experience. In 2012, the vehicle was also revamped, adding more interior color options as well as comfort features.
In 2020, MAN unveiled a new generation of truck models that offer 8 different cab options, with a steering wheel, pocket gear, LCD instrument panel, and large entertainment screens that further enhance cab comfort and entertainment. From 2022 onwards, all MAN trucks will be equipped with an optional Optiview electronic mirror system, further improving the technological level of the vehicle (*Note: Optiview electronic mirror system function configuration is currently in trial operation in Europe).
Since the launch of the first truck product in 1915, the "father of diesel engines" German MAN commercial vehicles have been working in the truck field for more than a hundred years. Today, MAN has become an indispensable supplier of commercial vehicles in the world. From the heavy-duty diesel engines of the past to the field of generators today, they are well-deserved "leaders" in the industry. Thank you for reading this article! If you want to see more interesting and informative commercial vehicle content, don't forget to follow us!
Text: Heseaotter