Daimler Trucks has inaugurated its new Global Hybrid Center at Mitsubishi Fuso in Kawasaki, Japan. Located within the company’s R&D facilities, the Center will be the worldwide hub for Daimler Trucks’ hybrid development.

“The establishment of the Global Hybrid Center shows the increasing focus of Daimler Trucks and Mitsubishi Fuso on developing hybrid commercial vehicles,” said Dr. Eike Böhm, Mitsubishi Fuso Vice President of Product Engineering. “We believe the market for hybrids will expand more rapidly in the future, given the need to further reduce vehicle emissions as well as fuel consumption. The new Center will concentrate our efforts in developing clean, efficient hybrid commercial vehicles to meet market needs now and in the future.”

According to Böhm, the role of the new Global Hybrid Center is to direct and synchronise Daimler Trucks hybrid development activities on a global basis. All of Daimler Trucks hybrid activities will be aligned under the Centre, including regional hybrid personnel at Daimler Trucks divisions Fuso, Mercedes-Benz  and Daimler Trucks North America. A total of 50 people will be affiliated with the Centre.

Fumio Akikawa has been named as Director of the Global Hybrid Centre. A 35-year automotive and truck industry expert,  he will also continue in his current role as Director of Powertrain Development for Mitsubishi Fuso.

Kawasaki was chosen as the location for the Center because of the company’s history and expertise in hybrid vehicle innovation. Mitsubishi Fuso has been developing hybrid vehicles for over 10 years and today offers fuel efficient, low emissions products like the Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck and the Aero Star Eco Hybrid bus for the Japan market.

The company has also developed the Canter Eco-D, a concept hybrid light-duty dump truck. Fuso had been serving as the hybrid competence centre for Daimler Trucks. The founding of the Global Hybrid Center expands this role and creates a formal organisational structure for coordinating hybrid development on a global basis.

With the opening of the new Centre, Mitsubishi Fuso also announced it will double the number of its dedicated hybrid engineers to about 35 people.

Fuso designers and engineers have come up with a refreshing new appearance for the Fighter, inside and out.

Many Fighter models have received major upgrades in the power and torque department. Take for instance the Fighter 6.0. All Fighter 6.0’s now use a 177kW/686Nm engine (6M60-3AT1) which was previously only available on the high horsepower models.

This new engine delivers a significant increase in power and torque over the 2007 model’s 145kW/575Nm engine, an increase of 22% and 19.3% respectively!

The new Fighter 7.0 uses the same engine as the Fighter 6.0 and its power output remains the same as the 2007 model. However Fighter 8.0 and all Fighter 10.0 models are now fitted with a 199kW/785Nm engine. It is known as the 6M60-3AT2 and it gives the Fighter 8.0 and certain Fighter 10.0’s a 12.4% increase in power and a very healthy 14.4% increase in torque. Fighter 14.0 also uses this engine.

Fuso have, for 2008, increased the interior space in the Fighter despite the same external cab dimensions. It has resulted in a more modern styling.

Keen-eyed observers will note the subtle change to the three diamonds: now silver and relocated to the grill; and the ‘transom’ window in the nearside door which greatly improves visibility to the curb.

The Fighter now includes anti-lock brakes (ABS) and cruise control across the entire range for improved safety and comfort. For convenience all Fighters now have keyless entry and remote central locking. Fuel tank capacity has been increased across the Fighter range with certain FM models receiving an increase of over 60%! (300 litres vs 185 litres.)

Fighter 7.0 and 8.0 are also now fitted with full air brakes, rather than air/hydraulic brakes for improved braking performance. Previously full air brakes were available on models with GVM’s of 16000kg + (from Fighter 10).

They also now have air bag suspension which is better for carrying sensitive loads and a new 19.5″ low profile tyre (down from 22.5″). This enables a lower chassis height for easier loading/unloading or so that you can fit a body with increased roof height.

Fuso’s popular Canter range is back starting with the car license-friendly Canter 2.0 all the way up to the Canter 4.5 FE extra long wheel base, the longest wheelbase available.

For 2008 Canter offers an improved turning circle and also offers safety features such as anti-lock front and rear disc brakes (standard on all models) and an optional drivers air bag.

Further adding to the comfort factor is an dash mounted gear lever, good cross-cab access, CD player, remote central locking, air conditioning and power windows.

In the Canter 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 models there is a big increase in power and torque, up by 6.8% and 28.7% respectively, over last year’s models due to a new 4.9 litre four cylinder engine now rated at 110kW/470Nm (92kW/294Nm in 2007).

A 130kW/530Nm 4.9 litre four cylinder engine is now in the Canter 4.5, which has resulted in a massive 26 percent increase in power and a whopping 45% increase in torque from the ‘07 models.

A five-speed manual is used in the Canter 2.0 to 4.0 range while a six-speed is used in the Canter 4.5 models.

Torque for the new Mitsubishi 6M70-6AT2 diesel engine has been significantly increased by from 1520Nm @ 1200rpm to 1620Nm @ 1100rpm. This extra torque should be especially noticeable at low speed (1000 – 1800 rpm range) with drivers able to feel difference between engines, especially at take-off.

The new 6M70 engine is fitted to the following heavy-duty models:
FV51JKD2RFAB
FV51JKM2RFAB
FV54JT2RFAB

The new Mitsubishi 6M70-6AT4 diesel engine features improvements to the mid-range and overall power. Engine power has increased from 302kW @ 2200rpm to 309kW @ 2000rpm.

Models with this engine include:
FS52JS4RFAB
FV54JL4RFAB
FP54jGR4RFAB

The big winner in the Fuso heavy-duty lineup is the FP prime mover which received a significant power boost through an engine upgrade which sees it go from a 257kW to 309kW engine.

Fuso’s heavy duty range remains largely unchanged from their predecessors, the thinking being “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

The 2008 models are fitted with new low emission ADR80/02 compliant engines with increased power and torque over the previous model.

The FP 4×2 Prime Mover in particular received a boost in muscle, gaining 20% more power and 16% more torque which will enhance the truck’s performance, especially in the mid range.

Central locking, cruise control, CD player, climate control are standard, making the driver’s work environment as comfortable as possible.

Whether spec’d for metro or long haul operation, the Fuso Heavy Duty series are brilliant to drive, with excellent ergonomics that ensure safe entry and exit from the cab and a dash layout that makes every control and gauge seem to be in its most logical location.

Driver’s vision from the air suspended seat is enhanced with a huge field of forward vision and strategic electric mirrors to monitor what’s going on behind.

Mitsubishi Fuso and Subversive Games has received an award from the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) for their truck simulation PC game FUSO Truck Empire (FTE1).

The FUSO Truck Empire game was proclaimed winner of the Best Corporate or Business to Business category. Over 700 people attended the night and winners were chosen by a judging panel made up of over 120 Australian and International experts from across the interactive media spectrum.

Judges comments regarding the game were extremely positive with the game was held in high praise for its originality and content.

The judging panel commented that “Fuso Truck Empire demonstrates an innovative approach to marketing and brand awareness, both of the product and the financing options.”

FTE1 was first released to the Australian public at the Brisbane Truck Show in May 2007 where 5000 copies where snapped up by interested patrons at the Fuso stand. Since then, a further 70,000 copies have been distributed publicly via various magazines, Fuso customer newsletters or dealers.

According to John Speers Marketing Manger for Fuso, the Fuso Truck Empire game has been an interesting exercise. “This type of approach to marketing is very new in our industry. Fuso Truck Empire is not only extremely fun to play, but highly industry relevant.

“It introduces players to the Fuso truck range and allows them to build their own trucking business. It contains a lot of real-life business principles that makes the game both challenging and educational. Feedback from people who have played the game has been extremely positive to date and we have had many customers say they can’t wait to play its sequel.”

Aside from containing the FTE1 game and a sumo memory card game, the game CD also contained product videos and spec sheets for the complete 2007 Fuso truck range, making it an excellent reference tool.

Left to Right: Jean-Marie Guitera (Subversive Games), John Speers (Marketing Manager Fuso Trucks) & Jason Cook (Subversive Games.)

For more information on the Fuso Truck Empire PC game, visit the fun stuff section of the Fuso website.

For more information on this prestigious award or AIMI, please visit their website.