GPS-assisted cruise control: MAN EfficientCruise^{[Van-LimitsSystem]} with PredictiveDrive

The GPS based cruise control MAN EfficientCruise^{[Van-LimitsSystem]} detects the route ahead, including uphill and downhill gradients, up to three kilometres in advance. As a result, the cruise control can always adjust the selected gear and speed to achieve optimum economy whilst driving. Downshifts are suppressed where appropriate. This ensures fewer traction interruptions and fuel savings.

MAN EfficientCruise^{[Van-LimitsSystem]} takes into account the route ahead and calculates the most efficient driving style. A smooth and consumption-oriented intervention in the gear selection not only eliminates traction interruptions, but also offers a harmonious driving experience. The driver simply selects the desired speed and one of the four possible speed tolerance levels (ECO Level I - IV). The ECO Level can be adjusted at any time while driving.

• ECO Level I: Lowest deviation from the set speed – suitable for heavy traffic and poor weather conditions
• ECO-Level IV: Maximum deviation from the set speed – suitable for low traffic volumes on motorways and country roads

The improved automatic speed adjustment to infrastructure conditions now ensures an even smoother traffic flow and greater fuel savings. Once activated in the instrument cluster, the system controls the approach to obstacles in a completely new way:

• Targeted speed reduction before traffic related or structural infrastructure: When approaching speed limits, roundabouts, intersections and bends, the vehicle speed is reduced proactively and predictably for the driver.
• Active support from braking systems: Instead of simply coasting, speed reduction is now primarily actively supported by the continuous brake (or recuperation) and, if further braking is required, by the service brake. This enables faster speed reduction that is better adapted to the situation.
• Individual cornering speed: Bends, roundabouts and intersections are negotiated at a speed adapted to the situation (depending on the bend radius, downhill gradient, uphill gradient and vehicle weight). The speed level can be set to three levels (Slow, Medium, Fast) according to the driver’s own sense of safety.
• Speed limits with offset: For speed limits, the system uses the applicable limit plus an offset that can be individually set by the driver (overshoot).
• Automatic reacceleration: After a roundabout or intersection, or when a speed limit is lifted, the system automatically accelerates back up to the applicable target speed. Manual reactivation of the cruise control by the driver is no longer necessary.
• Predictive ACC distance control: If ACC adaptive cruise control is switched on, the behaviour of vehicles ahead is actively taken into account in the calculation. At a crest, bend or roundabout, the system proactively increases the distance to the vehicle ahead. During the subsequent downhill section, the truck can then coast for a longer period without the brakes having to intervene. This maximises the active operating time of MAN EfficientCruise and thus helps to significantly increase the potential for fuel savings or recuperation.

The PredictiveDrive system complements MAN EfficientCruise^{[Van-LimitsSystem]} primarily when approaching uphill gradients and when driving uphill. Depending on the situation, it weighs up possible speed and gearshift strategies and ultimately selects the most fuel-efficient one. The aim is usually to gain as much momentum as possible on the uphill gradient, e.g. by accelerating briefly beforehand and shifting down early to ensure an adequate excess of power.

MAN EfficientCruise^{[Van-LimitsSystem]} and PredictiveDrive are already active from around 30 km/h. The system operates both for free driving and in cruise control mode. The predictive system responses on uphill gradients can significantly improve driveability and thus also increase driver acceptance of the dynamic torque adjustment.

In combination with MAN EfficientRoll, the MAN EfficientCruise GPS-assisted cruise control^{[Van-LimitsSystem]} helps you to save even more fuel and your vehicle is even more environmentally friendly on the road.

Thanks to MAN EfficientRoll with GPS preview, coasting is intelligently controlled: If fuel can be saved, the gearbox automatically shifts to the neutral position “N” – even on a slight downhill slope. Thus the momentum is maintained and the vehicle loses speed less quickly than with an engaged gear. When coasting, the engine only runs at 550 rpm (instead of the normal idling speed of 600 rpm). This helps to further reduce fuel consumption.

Absolutely precise and error free electronic map data form the basis for the highly advanced functions of MAN EfficientCruise with PredictiveDrive and for traffic sign recognition. This is where Connected Maps comes into play:

• Over-the-Air-Updates: Updated data on changes to road layouts, new roundabouts or changed speed limits is streamed fully automatically in the background along the vehicle route.
• No workshop visits: Time consuming and costly appointments at the service centre to update the map data are completely eliminated.
• Future proof 5G on board module: Data is exchanged with the cloud extremely quickly and efficiently via the latest 5G mobile network.

Benefits for operators and drivers: Connected Maps enables the predictive assistance systems to access the latest data at all times. The system behaves entirely predictably on the road, helps increase driving comfort and supports reliable, significantly improved fuel efficiency in daily operation.