Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Euro trucks range

By: Craig Silby, Photography by: Craig Silby

Date: 11.10.2011

Mitsubishi Fuso Canter trucks diesel engine

New Zealand was the world’s third country to take delivery of the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Euro range of trucks.

Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Euro trucks range

Just some of the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Euro trucks we tested during the launch.

27 models across five weight bands
Lighter tare weights
New Duonic dual-clutch transmission provides seamless gear changes
Improved fuel efficiency and meets high emission standards
Good space in cab and sensible layout

The launch of the new Fuso Canter range took place at Auckland's Keith Andrews Trucks (KAT). The company has recently taken over the Roadlife Trucks facility (previously run by Mitsubishi Motors NZ). Fuso NZ national sales manager Roger White says KAT is responsible for approximately 65% of Fuso truck and bus sales in the country and he is pleased to have Keith and his team now servicing Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

To date more than 10,000 Canters have been sold in New Zealand.

The global resources of parent company Daimler have been used in the five-year development of the new Canter, and there is a clear influence from the wider Daimler group in the new Fuso Canter Euro.

In all, there are 27 models in the new range, covering five weight bands. This is a significant increase in models from the outgoing Canter range. Notably, the narrow cab is back on offer, including a double- cab version. The wide cab meets the European ECE-R29 occupant safety test.

An 'all new' compact three-litre engine is used across the entire range. It's available in two versions: 110 kW with 370 Nm peak torque (4.5t - 7.5t range) and 129 kW with 430Nm torque (8.2t range). Developed in conjunction with Italy's Fiat Powertrain Technology, it's called the Fuso 4P10. The entire Canter range now meets Euro5-EEV.

EEV or 'Enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle' is a term used in the European emission standards for the definition of a clean vehicle. The standard lies between the levels of Euro5 and Euro6.

To achieve this Fuso employs several proven technologies including common rail Piezo-electric fuel injection, variable geometry turbo charging, 'BlueTec' SCR urea solution additive, and/or diesel particulate filtration. This must put the new Fuso Canter Euros among the most clean-burning light trucks in the world.

The new engine was also developed to improve fuel efficiency. White says he expects the trucks to use 10% less fuel. "Japan has a stringent fuel economy rating system and this new 4P10 engine meets or exceeds it." Interestingly, only the higher capacity 129kW version of the engine uses SCR to achieve the Euro5-EEV rating: the 110kW version only requires the EGR and diesel particulate filter (DPF).

As is common nowadays, the DPF needs regenerating every few hundred kilometres, or when the ECU deems necessary. The multifunction screen on the dashboard shows the level of the filter, and a series of warnings alert the driver if an automatic re-gen is not possible. This can also be done manually.

The torque curve on both versions climbs very quickly, flattening out to a wide, even spread. You get maximum torque all the way from around 1350rpm to 2900rpm.

Probably the most significant new feature for the range is the 'Duonic' dual-clutch, six-speed automated manual transmission. The Duonic provides seamless gear changes, virtually eliminating shift shock between the ratios. That should help protect any precious cargo on board. Incorporated is a manual mode, so you can call up or 'hold' gears manually.

There are also manoeuvring and hill start aid functions that allow the driver to operate the vehicle very precisely without the usual jerky or jumpy nature of typical two-pedal, automated manuals. The Park position has a locking pin that keeps the transmission in position, similar to an automatic in a car. But just as with a car, it's not designed to hold the truck when parked on a hill.

Lowest total cost of ownership was a strong focus in the re-design. Engine service intervals at 30,000km are now double what most of competitors can offer. The Duonic transmission has wet clutches that only require oil changes every 60,000km.

"We're saying you'll never wear out a clutch in the Duonic," says White. "Over the life of the vehicle you only need to change the oil - and that's a huge advantage for users".

Tare weight was also a target - the new range is up to 350kg lighter than the outgoing comparable models.

These Fuso trucks aim to set the benchmark for economy, efficiency and total cost of ownership. With lighter tare weights, very clean emissions and comfortable cabs, it's hard to imagine Fuso not reclaiming a significant chunk of market share.

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