Hino will showcase a collection of its trucks at Melbourne’s International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show (ITTES), ranging from a new, more powerful version of its car licence 300 Series light duty models to the 72-tonne 700 Series heavy duty prime mover and Rigid truck models.
Hino Australia’s Manager of Product Planning Daniel Petrovski said the trucks on display at ITTES will demonstrate the brand’s core values of safety, performance, efficiency and comfort.
“The Hino stand will have six trucks in total, including a newly launched model and a milestone motorsport truck that has seen some serious action,” Mr Petrovski said.
Light duty truck, medium duty power
The new ‘High Horsepower’ versions of Hino’s 300 Series trucks will be revealed to the media and general public, with both 921 Auto single cab TradeAce and 921 Auto crew cab chassis models available for viewing.
“The High Horsepower models bring even more performance and capability to the popular 300 Series range,” Mr Petrovski said.
“The availability of the Hino J05 engine will provide customers with the most powerful light duty truck in Australia, coupled with a revised chassis with improved carrying capacity and new wheelbases.”
The High Horsepower 300 Series is also available in six-speed manual transmission guise as the 920, alongside the 921’s six-speed automatic transmission.
Dakar Rally
Hino’s high performance gets an even bigger representation at ITTES this year, with the inclusion of its 2011 Dakar Rally-conquering 500 Series truck.
“The Dakar truck is a true performance standout,” Mr Petrovski said.
“Its 170km/h top speed makes it the fastest Hino at the show and the additional race modifications that have been carried out helped it conquer some incredibly tough conditions in South America,” Mr Petrovski said.
The rally truck is a milestone vehicle for Hino as the 2011 edition marked the 20th time the brand had competed in the iconic event.
Medium duty
Hino will also have on its stand the road-going truck with the most in common with the Dakar race truck, the 500 Series GT 1322 4x4.
The GT 1322 features a 215HP (158kW) six-cylinder turbocharged engine with 637Nm of torque and selectable 4x4 with high and low range gearing.
“The common platform and base specifications mean the GT 1322 has similar performance traits and the go-anywhere ability of the Dakar truck but with much more efficiency and comfort, with features like the ISRI 6800 drivers seat that is perfect for day-to-day driving,” Mr Petrovski said.
The GT 1322 also comes with safety features like driver’s SRS airbag, ECER29 cab strength compliance and the option of ABS brakes.
The 500 Series FD 1124 ProShift 6 Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) model will show a different side of Hino’s medium duty 500 Series truck range.
Its ProShift 6 AMT was designed by Hino to combine the favourable fuel economy and durability of a manual transmission with the ease-of-operation of an automatic.
It also features safety and comfort features like driver’s SRS airbag, traction control and ABS brakes as standard, ISRI 6860 driver’s seat, and digital DAB+ and AM/FM radio with CD/DVD player and hands-free Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity.
Heavy duty
At the heavy duty end of the Hino range lies the 700 Series, and the SS 700 2848 ProShift 16 Air High Roof model on display at ITTES highlights a number of Hino’s technological strengths.
“Much like the ProShift 6 in the FD 1124, the 700 series’ ProShift 16 AMT reduces driver fatigue while providing the operator with reduced fuel consumption and maintenance costs,” Mr Petrovski said.
“This is of great benefit while driving a Heavy duty truck like the 700 Series, and it reinforces Hino’s core values of safety, performance, efficiency and comfort.”
Hybrid
The 300 Series 716 Hybrid will represent Hino’s range of the highly efficient diesel-electric Hybrid trucks which are the world-leader in commercial Hybrid technology.
Hino’s expertise in hybrid engine technology is well documented, after launching the first hybrid truck in Australia in 2007 and drawing on technology jointly developed within the Toyota Group of Companies to provide benefits including reduced fuel consumption and reduced emissions.
The Hino hybrid system was refined in 2011 as part of a full 300 Series redesign.
The ITTES runs from April 3 to 6 at Melbourne Showgrounds.
For more information go to http://trucktrailershow.com.au/.