Class-leading power, torque and efficiency as well as improved towing capabilities are highlights of the new 2020 Hino 300 Series range of light-duty trucks.
Class-leading power, torque and efficiency as well as improved towing capabilities are highlights of the new 2020 Hino 300 Series range of light-duty trucks.
“Our 300 Series range are the safest trucks in their class in Australia – the line-up includes the most powerful Japanese light-duty trucks in the new 721 and 921, as well as the most efficient with the improved Hino Hybrid models,” said Daniel Petrovski, Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia.
“The new Hino 300 Series 721 models deliver class-leading power and torque courtesy of the high horsepower five litre J05E-UJ engine and six-speed double overdrive true automatic transmission.
“The 300 Series 4x2 models are the only Japanese-built light-duty trucks to offer a true automatic transmission, which ensures there are no torque interruptions between gear shifts, smooth drivability and the superior hill start capability.”
With a range of models to suit a myriad of Australian applications, the 300 Series line-up starts with the car-licenced Standard Single Cab, which has a 4.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) with the four litre N04C engine.
It continues through to the Wide Single and Wide Crew Cab models where there is a choice of the four litre N04C or five litre J05E engines, and a GVM range stretching from 4.5 tonne car licenced through to 8.5 tonne Medium Rigid licenced vehicle.
The four litre and five litre common-rail turbo-diesel engines are complemented by the option of the Hino Hybrid electric-diesel models.
“The efficiency of the Hino Hybrid has further improved – it is Australia’s only light-duty hybrid electric-diesel truck that meets Euro 6 emission standards.”
Expanded Performance Options
The Hino 300 Series engine line-up starts with the N04C which is a 4,009cc inline four-cylinder engine with high pressure common-rail fuel injection and a variable nozzle turbocharger.
“The N04C engine in the new 300 Series has seen a suite of improvements including a new fuel and engine control system, improved filtration and air intake, a multi-V drive belt, new cooling fan and redesigned piston crowns,” said Mr Petrovski.
The N04C-WL produces 150hp and 420Nm of torque and is available with the six-speed double overdrive automatic transmission in the 616, 716 and 816 Wide Cab models – 616 Standard Cab customers can also choose a five-speed manual transmission.
Wide Cab 617, 717 and 917 models are equipped with the N04C-WM engine, which produces 165hp and 464Nm of torque when matched to a six-speed overdrive manual transmission.
“Australia’s most powerful Japanese-built light-duty truck range has been expanded with the addition of the new 721 model,” said Mr Petrovski.
“The 721 and the 921 Wide Cab models feature the A465HD automatic transmission and the J05E-UJ five litre engine – at 205hp and 600Nm of torque, these are the most powerful and highest torque engines in their class.”
Single Cab 721 models are available with a wheelbase of either 3,500mm or 3,800mm, while the Crew Cab 721 is configured with a 4,400mm wheelbase.
The 920 models are equipped with the J05E-UH engine, which produces 189hp and 510Nm of torque when mated to a six-speed overdrive manual transmission.
“Both the four litre N04C and five litre J05E engines meet the Euro 5 and Enhanced Environmentally-Friendly Vehicle (EEV) emissions standards through a combination of cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and the ever-reliable Hino Diesel Particulate Active Reduction Filter (DPR) system.”
True Automatic Transmissions Driving Great Performance
Hino continues to be the only Japanese truck manufacturer to offer the advantages of a true automatic transmission across the light-duty 4x2 segment.
The automatic transmissions have been upgraded – when combined with the N04C four litre engine, the A860E transmission benefits from increased carrying and towing capacity.
“The capacity of the A860E transmission has been increased to 8.0 tonne - when registered as a 4.5 tonne GVM car-licenced vehicle, the 616 Standard, 616 Wide and 616 Crew Cab models can now carry a full load in the tray while also towing a fully laden 3.5 tonne trailer,” said Mr Petrovski.
“Meanwhile, in the A465HD automatic transmission found in the 721 & 921 models, there has been improvements made to the torque converter design, and its lock up, shift logic has changed, resulting in improved drivability, transmission kick-down and hill climbing performance.
“In addition, the driver can now control the A465HD transmission’s gear selection using the new sequential shift operation which is positioned on the gear selector – this takes the benefits of the true automatic transmission to the next level.
“The key advantages associated with a true automatic transmission are superior start-ability and take-off; no torque interruptions between gear shifts resulting in a smoother drive and quicker acceleration; lower whole of life costs and no clutch replacements,” said Mr Petrovski.
“Based on these benefits, it's understandable why the true automatic transmissions are the most popular choice for our light and medium-duty customers.
“Drivers who prefer the driving experience that a manual gearbox delivers still have that option available to them.”
The manual transmissions in the Hino 300 Series have also been improved - for Standard Cab models, there is a Hino five-speed manual transmission and for Wide Cab models, a six-speed manual transmission is available.
“A wider gear ratio spread improves fuel efficiency and gradeability, and an increase in the PTO size and capability are also delivered with the updated manual transmissions.”
Australia’s Leading Hybrid Truck
“Our hybrid trucks have been assisting customers to not only save money but also reduce their carbon footprints for 13 years – there are now more than 600 Hino Hybrids in operation on Australian roads,” said Mr Petrovski.
The new 300 Series Hybrid model is available in four variants from the 616 Standard and Wide Cab car-licenced models through to the 716 Wide Cab and 916 Wide Cab, which has a maximum Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 8.5 tonne.
The new Hybrid features an updated N04C engine, new operational software, a new battery and inverter technology, plus a new six-speed automated transmission, delivering a cleaner, more efficient transport solution.
”It will provide customers with an opportunity to improve their fuel and operational efficiency and reduce their emissions.
“The new driveline is a parallel electric diesel hybrid design and consists of a Hino N04C-WR four cylinder common-rail injected turbo-diesel engine that produces 150hp (110kW) and 470Nm of torque, complemented by a 35kW electric motor, which is directly coupled to the six-speed automated transmission.
“The hybrid system continuously seeks to supplement the diesel power delivery with electric power into the driveline.
“It is constantly switching between diesel engine drive only; a combination of both electric motor and diesel engine drive; and can even utilise electric drive only in certain situations,” said Mr Petrovski.
When the hybrid system is delivering power from both the N04C-WR engine and the electric motor, the power delivery is balanced by the hybrid Engine Control Unit (ECU).
“Adding to the Hybrid’s class-leading environmental credentials, the new Hino Hybrid meets Euro 6 exhaust emissions standards, and is the first light-duty Japanese-built truck in Australia to do so.
“Euro 6 emissions standards are achieved by using a combination of the well-proven and reliable Hino EGR and DPR system, combined with the Hino Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.
“This combination of established exhaust emissions solutions is already found in our larger Hino 500 Series models, where it has proven its reliability while also reducing engine exhaust emissions.
“In both independent and Hino local testing of the previous model, the Hino 300 Series Hybrid has proven fuel efficiency improvements of 21 percent when compared to its diesel counterpart.
“This equates to a direct greenhouse gas reduction of 21 percent in favour of the Hybrid, and importantly means a 21 percent reduction in the fuel cost to operate the vehicle,” concluded Mr Petrovski.
The new Hino 300 Series is now available at Hino dealerships nationwide, with further information available at www.hino.com.au.