MAN Truck & Bus
A new driving experience
Popular model Long-distance drivers in particular appreciated the 16.320 U, here a vehicle from 1976.
Traditional truck and bus manufacturer Büssing from Braunschweig got into financial difficulties in the 1960s and was taken over by MAN. Not only the lion emblem came to Munich. MAN also decided to continue producing some of the former competitor's proven vehicle models under the name MAN-Büssing. This included the MAN-Büssing 16 U. Its construction with an underfloor engine was an attractive alternative to MAN's bonnet and forward-control vehicles.
The long-distance luxury cab offered extra space and comfort with free passage in front of the seats, since it could be constructed with a level floor. This made the MAN-Büssing 16 U very popular with truck drivers and owners, especially for long-distance applications. The long-distance luxury cab offered fixed beds with reading lights and handles, a wardrobe and a cool box. The truck could therefore be used as a comfortable relaxation area and bedroom. Positioning the engine horizontally in the frame between the axles had another advantage: it was particularly easy to access and thus easy to maintain. MAN integrated the truck with its underfloor engine into its Munich production and manufactured it in its own modular system.
The precursor Büssing produced the 16-ton BS 16 L truck with underfloor engine between 1967 and 1971.
THIS ENGINE IS CURRENTLY THE BEST THE GERMAN TRUCK INDUSTRY HAS TO OFFER IN THE LARGE CLASS
PRAISE IN THE TRADE PRESS
Büssing's design of the engine as a horizontal series diesel with displacement of 12.3 litres and a turbocharger was faithfully adopted. "It is currently the best the German truck industry has to offer in the large class; not only in terms of performance and tractive power, but also regarding efficiency, mileage and reliability," was the praise heaped on the MAN-Büssing 16.320 U by the trade journal "Lastauto-Omnibus" in a test report in 1973. MAN also introduced some improvements to the vehicle. It was possible, for example, to construct the heavy-weight truck to be a little lighter, which benefited its payload and efficiency. The final verdict from "Lastauto-Omnibus": "The new MAN long-distance truck with its 320 HP underfloor engine from Büssing can be described as a successful blend."
Facts
Comfortable cab The cab was equipped with anti-glare fittings, hydraulically damped seats and electric windows on request.
Low consumption At full load and an average speed of 58.6 km/h, the MAN-Büssing 16.320 U used 45.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the test. That was a good value in 1973.
Linking the brands MAN trucks, which were produced with an underfloor engine at the former Büssing plant in Salzgitter from 1973 to 1979, bore the double name MAN-Büssing on the radiator grill.
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