Vision F-Cell leads charge of new vehicle offerings
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus has spruiked its line-up for the Tokyo Motor Show, with a fuel-cell light truck to the fore.
The Fuso Vision F-Cell fuel cell concept vehicle is to be joined by the Super Great heavy-duty truck, Japan’s first series-produced commercial vehicle equipped with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Level 2 automated driving technology and the Athena 4×4 light-duty rescue truck.
The company makes plain that the fuel cell technology path is one it is keen to tread.
“With the Vision F-Cell, a fully drivable concept model, we explore the benefits of fuel cell technology for use in our vehicles,” Fuso says.
The move builds on electric propulsion moves made metal two years ago and which has seen two eCanters land with Toll earlier this year.
Read how Toll came to be testing eCanters, here
“The Vision F-Cell is our concept of an electric truck that uses the power of a fuel cell as one option to extend the range of an electric vehicle,” the make says.
“Fuso is a leader in electric trucks and was the first brand to launch an all-electric truck in small series production in 2017, the eCanter.
“Since then, more than 140 eCanters have been delivered to customers in Japan, Europe and the United States.”
The Vision F-Cell boasts maximum power of 135kW, with continuous split 75kW for fuel cells and 135kW from batteries.
Range is estimated to be 270km-300km, with gross vehicle weight put at 7.5 tonnes.
The Super Great heavy duty truck also gains SAE Level 2 automated driving technology.
“Through automated actuation of the steering wheel, accelerator and brakes, and equipped with various driver assistance technologies, driver burdens are reduced and safe driving is supported,” Fuso says.
The FU74HUZ2XVC model, with 12 speed ShiftPilot transmission, is driven by a 10.7 litre 6R20 (T3) engine with maximum engine power put at 290kW and maximum torque at 2,000Nm.
Meanwhile, the Athena 4×4 will make also an appearance.
It a vehicle “jointly developed together with Kokushikan University on the assumption that it will be used in disaster situations.
“The vehicle is based on a four-wheel drive version of Fuso’s light-duty truck Canter.”