Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) unveiled a new model of its Super Great heavy duty truck in October 2023.
Tadato lhara, Manager of Product Projects HMDT for MFTBC, talked about the truck's first full remodel in six year and reasons behind it.
“The Super Great truck hit the market in 1996 and was fully remodeled for the first time in 2017 to improve economy, safety, operability, and comfort,” he explained. “As the cab was upgraded, the refreshed model was equipped with a new electronic control system. The latest full remodeling took place to ensure that the vehicle would meet safety regulations for heavy duty trucks that became effective in May 2024, as well as Japan’s FY2025 Heavy-Duty Fuel Efficiency Standards (known as JH25 mode), a new set of fuel economy standards to be achieved by fiscal 2025 to make vehicles more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. We went a step further, going beyond compliance with safety regulations and fuel economy standards to upgrade the truck’s performance across the board.”

The biggest feature is the new 6R30 12.8L engine, which has resulted in increased fuel economy. This engine provides ample traction on long slopes and excellent response during acceleration, delivering both power and efficiency. In addition, the cab has been redesigned to reduce air drag, and tires with low rolling resistance have also been adopted to meet the new fuel efficiency standards. On top of all this, a higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) purification rate is achieved with an exhaust aftertreatment system. With less vibration and noise, the engine will help reduce driver fatigue, leading to improved driving comfort.

The new Super Great, moreover, comes with advanced safety technology that addresses risks specific to heavy duty trucks with sophisticated and broad safety support. For example, the truck is equipped with the Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA® 6) collision mitigation system. This system uses a frontal recognition camera and millimeter wave radar to detect potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians in the road ahead, alerts the driver via the multifunction monitor, and activates the brakes to reduce the collision risk. Compared with the previous model, the new system offers enhanced obstacle detection capabilities to more accurately identify obstacles on the road and minimize false alarms.

Another new technology deployed in the new model is Active Side Guard Assist 2.0, which can alert the driver to pedestrians and cyclists detected on either side of the vehicle using a radar system. This is an upgrade from the previous model, which detects objects on the left side only to avoid collisions involving the left-side blind spot, a typical class of accidents experienced by heavy duty truck drivers while making a left turn. The system also generates warnings during lane-changes if there is a vehicle in the next lane.

The Front Blind Spot Information System, a low-speed frontal collision warning technology, detects pedestrians and bicycles approaching the front of the vehicle while it is starting and emits collision warnings accordingly. The detection range includes the low area immediately in front of the vehicle, which can be a challenging blind spot for drivers. Meanwhile, a high-performance rear-view camera system provides wider visibility by displaying the area behind the vehicle on the monitor, allowing the driver to avoid hazards when backing up.

The cab has also been redesigned, including the addition of a newly developed super high roof as a cab variation to make the interior space more comfortable while achieving optimal aerodynamics. The FUSO black belt motif has been adopted to ensure a new cab design worthy of the FUSO brand. Also adorning light duty trucks and large sightseeing buses, the FUSO black belt is the signature mark of the FUSO brand.

“The new Super Great originates from the development concept that we want to deliver a heavy duty truck that not only delights customers but is also welcomed by society,” said Ihara. “To make this concept a reality, my team talked to the styling team repeatedly about various issues including functionality and feasibility. We built a new cab with reduced air drag and a new built-in sensing system that meets the safety standards. Given that the last cab redesign took place in 2017, we have come up with another new design in an unusually short time for the heavy duty truck industry.”

Showing obvious pride in the innovative development, Ihara continued: “Many visitors were impressed by the new Super Great when we displayed it at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023. We were delighted by their praise, which included comments such as ‘Good job!’ and ‘I thought it would be impossible.”

As a member the Daimler Truck group, MFTBC supports the organization’s pursuit of Vision Zero, the aspiration of which is to eventually reduce road accidents involving the group’s trucks and buses to zero, with increased safety levels achieved through the development of sophisticated safety technologies, including automated driving systems. In the spirit of Vision Zero, MFTBC was the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to bring level 2 driving assistance features to the Japanese market with the 2019 Super Great.

With the logistics and transport industry’s so-called “2024 problem,” raising transportation efficiency is an imminent challenge for Japan. The new Super Great will contribute to this with its enhanced comfort, safety, and operability, delivering excellent performance in both fuel economy and power.