Interview with Holger Koos, Roger Mohr, Rudolf Kupitza, Thomas Ochs and Dieter Blum

Particularly in the field of utility vehicles the international design experts of this year’s red dot jury observed an increase in design quality. The best example of this are the TGX/TGS trucks by MAN, which set new standards in ergonomics and quality with their cab interior. The jurors honoured the outstanding design of the TGX/TGS model range with a “red dot: best of the best”. red dot talked to the designers Holger Koos, Roger Mohr, Rudolf Kupitza, Thomas Ochs, and Dieter Blum in an interview.

What elements characterise the design of the TGX/TGS trucks?
MAN Design Team: The exterior design is characterised by modern design elements such as black, high-polished radiator grilles which feature a chrome trim as well as the product logo. It is the vehicle’s relevant corporate design element and with its reduction to a simple, distinctive basic shape it guarantees the recognisability of the brand from a great distance. The wind deflectors, which seem to hover in front of the vehicle, characterise the innovative qualities of the truck range as well as the clear-glass headlights with their lively reflector design. The interior is dominated by a softly flowing modern and calm design language. Here the significance of quality is visible in the design itself as well as the materials and the workmanship. The dashboard is structured horizontally by a stripe in a contrasting colour. It thus appears light and together with the doors forms a coherent, overall harmonious impression. The top part of the dashboard consists of one piece and has a finish using the slush technology, which comes from the top-of-the-range passenger car sector. The contrasting stripe underneath is coated with metallic soft varnish, which is also unique in the utility vehicle sector. Here and in the satin chrome door handles the high standards of the design with regards to haptic quality and material appearance become obvious.

The design experts of this year’s jury praised the increased design quality of the interiors in the utility vehicle sector. According to what criteria did you choose the materials for the interior?
MAN Design Team: It was important to us to allow customers to experience the high quality standards of the brand through quality and material, for example with the low shine of the surfaces, the haptic effect of the dashboard’s slush skin and its precise distortionfree grain, and the chrome-plated door handles. Thus, sophisticated manufacturing techniques were employed to allow passengers to experience the high quality of the Class-A surface models in the interior. And the textile fabrics for seats, mattress cover, and door panels of course underscore these standards.

What role did ecological aspects play in the development of the truck?
MAN Design Team: Achieving ecologically relevant goals and meeting the commercial interests of the MAN customers is the company objective also for the design. Our primary goals are lower consumption and fewer pollutants. This has been achieved on the one hand by improved engine technology and on the other hand by a design based on clear aerodynamic targets. The TGX and TGS vehicles fulfil the Euro-5 emission limits. The increased cooling requirements resulting from fulfilling these limits have also visibly influenced the design, which becomes apparent in details such as the cooling air inlets in the bumper area, which are significantly larger, compared to the previous model range. One of many examples of the consideration of aerodynamic requirements in the design process are the mirrors. They were optimised with meticulous attention to detail so that the cd-value of the vehicle was finally better with rather than without them.