Mitsubishi Fuso Unveils New “Super Great” Heavy-Duty Truck Line
With Newly Developed Engine

Kawasaki - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading truck manufacturers and an integral part of Daimler Trucks, today unveiled the new “Super Great” heavy-duty truck line with all-new 6R10 heavy-duty engine. Combining excellent fuel efficiency with significant advances in environmental performance, safety and economy, the product represents a major step forward for heavy-duty truck transportation in Japan.

“The new Super Great has arrived, bringing significant benefits to our customers, the motoring public and society in general,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President and CEO. “This vehicle with its all-new fuel efficient 6R10 engine and advanced BlueTec® emissions control system shows that heavy-duty trucks can be environmentally-friendly, optimized for safety and also highly cost-effective for operators. We believe this vehicle represents an important leap forward for the Super Great line and heavy-duty truck development in general.”

“For MFTBC as a company, the vehicle is an important indicator of the company’s trajectory,” Dr. Kirchmann continued. “The new Super Great is the first major launch in a product offensive that will bring 25 vehicle additions or changes around the world by the end of 2010. In addition, the debut of the new 6R10 heavy-duty engine based on a joint development within Daimler Trucks shows that we are leveraging our membership in the world’s largest truck group to efficiently develop world class components.”

Summary of New Super Great

This new Super Great heavy-duty truck incorporates a new engine, designated the “6R10.” The engine is based on a joint development of Daimler Trucks units in the United States, Europe, and Japan. It also incorporates in all models BlueTec®, one of the world’s most advanced vehicle emissions reduction systems. BlueTec®, which is based on an urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, significantly reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), contributing to improvements in both fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction. BlueTec® is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.

The new heavy-duty truck is the first model from Mitsubishi Fuso to meet the 2009 Japan New Long-Term Emission Regulations. In addition, the new Super Great takes further steps to improve fuel economy, including the expanded use of light-weight 12-speed INOMAT-II, an electronically-controlled mechanical automatic transmission. These combined efforts mean that 87% of the series meets Japan’s 2015 fuel efficiency standard, qualifying a large percentage of the model range for Eco-car Tax incentives in Japan.

Also included is the MDAS-III (Mitsubishi Driver Attention monitoring System) as a safety platform. Selected models are equipped with the latest, state-of-the-art safety technologies like the Active Mitigation Brake (AMB), a collision-damage reduction brake, and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), intended to increase overall vehicle stability in a variety of circumstances.

The new Super Great heavy-duty truck is designed to maximize performance in three key areas:  “Environment,” “Economy” and “Safety.” Carrying over the advantages of previous Super Great models, the latest model makes significant advances for the benefit of customers and the society at large.

Key area of advancement include:

JP09 achievement
Thanks to optimal combustion efficiency of the new engine 6R10 and the advanced emissions reduction system BlueTec®, the new Super Great complies with JP09 emissions regulations (2009 Japan New Long-Term Emission Regulations). JP09 is the world’s most stringent emission qualification, requiring a 65% reduction in NOx and 63% reduction in PM over the JP05 Emission Regulations.

The ratio of heavy-duty vehicles meeting Japan 2015 fuel efficiency standard has expanded to 87% of the entire series, also in the scope of Japan’s Eco-car Tax incentives.
Fuel efficiency has been enhanced due to the new engine, so the ratio of vehicles meeting Japan’s 2015 fuel efficiency standard has significantly expanded from 11% of the previous model to 87% of new series, including all long-wheel base cargos and semi-tractors for highway travel. Therefore, more models are in the scope of Japan’s Eco-car Tax incentives in which the vehicle weight tax and acquisition tax are cut 75% for qualifying vehicles.

Low emission vehicle designated by nine Japan prefectures and cities.
The new Super Great meets the requirements of Low Emission Vehicle designated by nine prefectures and cities in Japan including newly added Sagamihara City from April 1, 2010.

ISO-method wheel adopted as standard to enhance maintenance efficiency.
ISO method is the international standard for wheel-nut-tightening method adopted by 95% of heavy-duty trucks and buses in the world. Its simple structure makes it easier to implement inspections and maintenance operations, and the smaller number of parts contributes to enhanced quality.

FUP (Front Under-run Protection) adopted to all models in advance to improve safety performance.
To prevent small cars like passenger cars from moving under the front bumper of the truck, the Front Under-run Protection (FUP) device is attached to all models as standard. Attachment of FUP will be legally required from September 2011.

Mitsubishi Fuso is introducing the 6R10 engine, which leverages the know-how of Daimler Trucks business units around the world to achieve superb fuel efficiency, dynamic performance, clean emissions and greater reliability. The 6R10 is based on a heavy-duty engine concept developed jointly by Daimler Trucks business units in the United States, Europe and Japan. In development since 2002, the engine concept represents a US$1.5 billion investment in R&D and production. About 80% of parts are commonly shared among the group with the engine concept customized to meet the needs of local markets. A new heavy-duty engine from Detroit Diesel, also based on the joint development concept, was introduced in Freightliner-brand vehicles in the U.S. in 2008.

Engine Specifications

Newly developed X-Pulse fuel injection system installed to realize optimized fuel injection
For the engine’s fuel injection system, the newly developed X-Pulse – an intensified pressure common rail system - is adopted. X-Pulse precisely controls the fuel injection rate to realize fuel injection that is optimized depending on engine load and rotations which vary according to driving conditions. The system is also capable of high-pressure injection at pressures more than 30% higher than conventional common rail systems. These technologies make possible precise injection control at all engine speeds, resulting in cleaner exhaust emissions and improved fuel economy.

High capacity EGR Cooler: using continuous control EGR valve
For its exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, a high capacity EGR cooler and continuous control EGR valve is adopted. By accurate and optimized EGR control, emission gases are further reduced.

Designed for higher in-cylinder pressure
To address the higher in-cylinder pressure, the engine features a strengthened crankcase, crank shaft, connecting rod, piston, and cylinder head. The entire stiffness of the engine has been also enhanced to ensure high reliability.

Four-valve DOHC structure
To realize optimized air intake and exhaust, a double overhead cam (DOHC) with four valves is adopted to improve performance and reduce emissions.

Variable Geometry (VG) Turbo Charger
To achieve excellent fuel efficiency and optimized driving in road conditions unique to Japan with repeated stops and starts, a water-cooled variable geometry (VG) turbo charger is adopted as component special for Japan.  As the VG turbo charger can have a high supercharging effect even at low-revolution range, it contributes to start-up performance and fuel efficiency improvements.

3. BlueTec ® Technology

12-speed INOMAT-II to be installed in cargo trucks and tractors
Compared to 7-gear INOMAT-II on the previous model, the 12-speed transmission enables finer gear selection.  So it is possible to generate power performance closer to that envisioned by the driver’s image under conditions ranging from loaded to unloaded. A feature of the 12-speed INOMAT-II transmission is to limit variations in fuel consumption performance without being significantly affected by driver’s skill, which should contribute to improved fuel economy. As an appropriate starting gear is automatically selected, without need to use a clutch pedal, acceleration is smooth and easy which can contribute to a decrease in driver’s fatigue and therefore safer operation.

New Shift-Down Brake added as standard (for vehicles with 12-speed INOMAT-II transmission)
The Shift-Down brake plays the role of a supplemental brake and replaces the previously attached retarder. By automatically shifting down one to three gears and by using actively the engine brake, better brake performance is obtained.  With this shift-down brake, the frequency of use of the main brake is reduced, which will alleviate driver fatigue and also prolongs brake lining life.

MFTBC’s safety philosophy – MDAS concept
MFTBC has developed safety technologies putting an importance to preventive safety devices that are effective for preventing traffic accidents at an early stage, before accidents occur. A principal concept is MDAS (Mitsubishi Driver Attention monitoring System), first installed in the Super Great line in 1996. This is an active safety technology to reduce the possibility of accidents by giving a driver warnings with alarms and meter displays when his or her attention is waning.

Active Mitigation Brake (AMB) collision-damage-reducing brake system
AMB is an active safety technology which decelerates the vehicle by applying the brake automatically when a collision is possible. Using a milliwave radar system, the AMB system monitors the distance from the vehicle in front. At first, it sounds an audible alarm to alert the driver of possible danger of collision. If the driver does not take appropriate action, it again sounds an alarm and also gently applies the brakes. When the system determines the driver is still not reacting strongly enough and a collision is imminent, it gives another warning sound and firmly applies the brakes to reduce impact speed in order to mitigate collision damage.

MFTBC has developed this system by its own, and at the same time incorporated the concept and mechanism of Mercedes-Benz’s ABA collision prevention brake system.

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) vehicle-behavior stabilization system
The ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) is intended to increase overall vehicle stability in a variety of circumstances. It works by controlling engine output, independently controlling individual brakes on the tractor wheels and managing the brakes of the trailer. A heavy-duty vehicle has a higher risk of overturn in making a turn with its cargo fully loaded because the loading makes the center of the gravity higher. ESP® is intended to reduce the risk of such rollover accidents. Additionally, it is effective in preventing jackknifing and provides stability on slippery road surfaces.

Lightweight D-Wing body developed jointly with PABCO Co., Ltd.
The weight of new wing body vehicle has been reduced 300 kg from the previous model and achieved the biggest payload capacity in this class. This is accomplished by making the center rail diameter smaller and using the lock bar embedded into the rear door.  For the side roof, the light sandwich panel with high stiffness is used. Furthermore, environmentally-friendly bamboo plywood is used for floor panel.

Sales Start

MFTBC has already begun production of the new Super Great at its main Kawasaki, Japan, plant. The truck is available for the Japan market starting today at all MFTBC’s dealers and Regional Sales Centers nationwide.

While the new Super Great is first available in Japan, the company also will develop the truck for export markets, with content and features to match local market requirements.

History of Super Great

Mitsubishi Fuso’s Super Great heavy-duty truck was introduced in 1996, and has evolved through several generations. Prior to today’s introduction, the last major version of the Super Great was introduced in 2007. The product is well known among Japanese truck customers and the motoring public.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2009, the company sold a total of about 99,500 vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Daimler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares and various Mitsubishi group companies own 15% of MFTBC shares. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.

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