MITSUBISHI FUSO'S 2008 light-duty cabover trucks feature new configurations and a new engine emissions system with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), but the most significant changes are seen on the medium-duty side, according to Bob Aquaro, vice president of product development.
The FK/FM medium-duty models features a new streamlined cab with flush-mounted headlights that reduce aerodynamic drag up to 4% in van body applications. Cab noise and vibration have been lessened by using a semi-floating cab mount, optimized cab roof structure, and sound-reducing panels.
The Class 6 FK260 (25,995 lb GVWR) has a frame height of 38", a 3" reduction. The air-suspension version can dump the air bags, lowering the truck an additional 2.5".
The truck comes with a 6M60 Fuso Engine (243 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque), Allison 2200 RDS (rough duty service) automatic or Fuso 6-speed manual transmission, and full air brakes. It has wheelbases to handle body lengths of 16' to 30'.
The Class 7 FM330 (32,900 GVWR) has a 40" frame height — lowered from 43", Allison MD3000 RDS automatic or Fuso 6-speed manual transmission, the same engine as the FK260, and full air brakes. It can accommodate body lengths of 18' to 28'.
The Class 6 FK200 (19,850 GVWR) has a 36" frame height and can handle body lengths of 16' to 24'. It comes standard with the 6M60 diesel engine and an Allison 1000 RDS automatic. There is no longer an option for a manual transmission.
Emissions compliance
Aquaro said the trucks have been “Certified Clean Idle” by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
CARB requires that engines have idle-limiting so that they shut down after idling for three to five minutes.
“However, there is a voluntary certification program that engine manufacturers can do which basically measures the NOx emissions at idle,” he said. “If that engine is clean enough and meets NOx requirements at idle, you do not have to have an engine shutdown system on it, which basically means that engine could sit there all day long and idle in a CARB state and be legal.”
Mitsubishi Fuso's 6M60 engine meets CARB's voluntary certification. So does its 4M50 engine, which is used in its light-duty FE truck models.
The FEs have an unobtrusive emission-control system and a small Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) that uses silicon carbide. “Everyone else is using cordierite,” Aquaro said. Silicon is more fuel efficient — fewer regenerations, cooler running, less service.”
The Class 3 FE has been reintroduced Class 3 with OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) II technology for emissions monitoring, required by California and other states.
Light-duty models
While the new 2008 FE models look the same as last year's, the trucks are different in content. Among the improvements: cruise control, new engine position for improved front-axle loading, reduced frame height by 2", return of optional tandem-mount auxiliary fuel tanks, and keyless entry.
The Class 3 FE125 (12,500 GVWR), which only comes with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission, is available in three wheelbases — 114.6", 134.3", and 152.4" — for up to 18' bodies.
A 176" wheelbase has been added to the Class 4 FE145 (14,500 GVWR) to accommodate up to a 20' body and a broader range of applications that “cube-out” before “weigh-out”, such as movers and furniture haulers.
Similarly, the Class 5 FE180 (17,995 GVWR) gets a new 189.4" wheelbase that permits mounting of 22' bodies.