Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America. (MFTA) has introduced its new Canter FE/FG Series trucks.
Bringing the name Canter to the North American models for the first time, the company is applying its long-standing global branding to the trucks it believes represent the future of transport technology in North America.
The entire line-up of 2012-model Mitsubishi Fuso cabovers have enhancements and upgrades to provide robust performance while delivering enhanced fuel economy. These include an advanced powertrain; refined frame that makes body attachment easier while increasing available payload; improved handling, durability, comfort and aesthetics; and extended service intervals (18,000 miles).
Five models, covering weight ratings from Class 3 through Class 5, address virtually every vocational need from dry freight, refrigerated delivery, landscaping and delicate cargo transport to auto recovery, municipal roadwork and snow plowing, according to company officials.
The line includes standard chassis designs for Class 3 through Class 5 - the Canter FE125 (12,500 gvwr) , Canter FE160 (15,995 gvwr) and Canter FE180 (17,995 gvwr), but also extends to a 7-passenger crew cab model, the Canter FE160CC (15,995 gvwr), and the only 4-wheel-drive medium duty cabover in the industry, the FG4X4 (14,050 gvwr).
“This is the most extensive redesign we’ve undertaken in seven years,” said Todd Bloom, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America (MFTA).
“We had to develop new drivetrains to meet EPA 2010 regulations, of course,” he said. “But we asked our designers and engineers to go beyond that, and to put everything they’ve learned about powertrain technology and efficiency into the new Canter FE/FG series of commercial trucks.
“The resulting trucks don't just represent an incremental improvement over our previous models. The 2012 models represent a new approach to the technology of transporting goods by truck, and they are specifically designed to deliver lower cost of ownership."
Advanced drivetrain
MFTA’s new 4P10 dual-overhead-cam, dual-balance-shaft, turbocharged, intercooled 4-cylinder diesel engine is coupled to an advanced Mitsubishi Fuso Duonic 6-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission - the only dual-clutch transmission available in a commercial truck, Bloom noted. The combination helps contribute to the Canter’s higher fuel economy as well as its easy operation.Adoption of Daimler Commercial Truck's proven BlueTec SCR (selective catalytic reduction) emissions technology has brought the new drivetrain into EPA 2010 compliance. Yet, because the BlueTec system treats emissions in the downstream exhaust rather than in the engine, the engine can be tuned exclusively for optimum performance and fuel economy, according to Leighton Good, MFTA manager, product & applications.
“We believe the drivetrain philosophy expressed in our 2012 FE and FG models will help define the future of transport technology,” he said. “Our goal has been to maximize efficiency and lower the cost of ownership for our trucks as much as practical.
“With the combination of the 4P10 engine, Duonic transmission and BlueTec emissions control, these new Fusos are the smoothest-running, easiest-to-drive cabovers we’ve ever offered, and they boast the highest operating efficiency, as well. A 300-percent increase in the length of the service interval also contributes significantly to lower cost of ownership.”Clever frame design
Work trucks are all about the combination of durable, economical drivetrains installed into workhorse chassis that allow exceptional outfitting flexibility and ease of body fit.
For 2012, the standard-width 33.5-inch straight ladder frame has been designed with patterned holes at regular intervals along its length and height to make body mounting easier and to save weight without loss of strength, said Good. Made with 56,565 psi-yield-strength steel, this new frame provides comparable chassis stiffness and body-fitting ease as the previous FE models, at a substantially lighter weight.
The frame’s high strength-to-weight ratio helps give the new FE series the highest payload capability among Class 3 to 5 cabovers, he noted.New styling
To help MFTA owners create a strong, positive visual impression of their businesses, Mitsubishi Fuso engineers have provided sophisticated styling that goes hand-in-hand with improved function, said Bloom. For instance, wind tunnel testing has not only led to the improved aesthetic profile of the 2012 models, but also to reduced aerodynamic drag and improved stability. Compact halogen headlamps allow sculpted corner profiles, which enhance aesthetic appeal while the lamps themselves improve nighttime visibility and boost potential for improved driver safety. Smooth frontal surfaces, combined with faired character lines around the doors, not only lend an air of refined styling but also help to reduce wind noise, so the cabin is quieter, which may help to reduce driver fatigue. The new 2012 FUSO Canters feature roomy, fully trimmed cabs that provide ample space for the driver plus two passengers to ride in comfort. The parking brake is located between the driver’s seat and the adjacent passenger seat, where it’s handy, but out of the way. The transmission shifter is mounted on the dash, with a simple, well-defined shift pattern label, and the FG4X4’s transfer case range-selector lever is mounted at dashboard height, to the left of the steering wheel, so the floor area is clear of obstructions. This allows the driver and passengers to easily exit the vehicle on the curb side, generally the safer location. Mitsubishi Fuso’s offset door hinges open to 70-degrees, then push forward several inches to provide full access for driver and passengers, while limiting the extension of the doors into traffic or curbside obstructions, said Good. Turning diameter for the Canter FE models with 110.2-inch wheelbase is a tight 34.1 feet - shorter than the turning diameter of a Mini Cooper (35.1 feet), Good noted. “So, maneuvering through a crowded job site or navigating tight urban streets is no problem for these new Canter FEs.” The Canter FEs also feature dual-caliper hydraulic disc service brakes with vacuum servo assist and ABS on all four wheels, while the FG4X4 uses hydraulic drum service brakes with ABS all around. All models include an electronic brake override system for added safety.Cab interior
All of the 2012 models include instrumentation that’s easy to read, day or night, with the information panel conveniently located in direct line of sight. Cycling through the digital displays provides the driver with up-to-the-minute status on a wide variety of truck systems, fluid levels, and performance parameters. Power windows and door locks are standard, with one-touch up and down on the driver-side window. The window drive mechanism immediately stops the window’s upward travel if it encounters an obstacle. Doors also include a crush bar, to help increase frontal impact protection. The collapsible steering column offers both tilt and telescoping adjustments via one easy-to-use control. The center and right-hand seats fold down to form a work area for the driver, and extra storage compartments have been added in the cab area. This is particularly advantageous for those who do much of their “office” work in their vehicles after they’ve reached the job site. Models are available in five cab colors: Natural White, Arcadia Silver, Jupiter Green, Mars Red and Shannon Blue. Blue seat cloth is furnished standard on all models. While the engine, transmission and emissions treatment systems in the new, advanced-technology Canter FE/FG Series trucks has changed, the strongest warranty protection in the medium duty truck business hasn’t, Bloom said. The full line of Canter FEs and FGs include a 3-year/unlimited mileage bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 4-year/unlimited mileage rust-through warranty and an exclusive 5-year/175,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. The 5-year warranty includes most bolt-on components as well as wetted driveline components. Headquartered in Logan Township, NJ, MFTA is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Kawasaki, Japan, an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG. For more information, visit www.mitfuso.com.
