Hino’s anticipated 4×4 300 Series has officially been launched at the AFAC conference just months after preview at the Brisbane Truck show.
The 4×4 300 series will hit dealerships later in the year in a single or crew cab variant and powered by a 4-litre diesel with 165hp (121kW) and 464Nm. A six-speed manual overdrive transmission and dual range 4×4 transfer case also promises to flexibility and efficiency both on or off road with a low range gearing of 2.2:1.
“With a six-speed overdrive manual transmission mated to a Hino transfer case with superior low range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 series 4×4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class,” said Daniel Petrovski, Manager, Product Strategy for Hino Australia.
“This means the 300 Series 4×4 can crawl slower off-road than its rivals providing better vehicle control in tricky off-road conditions, which is a key measure of performance in that market.”
Hino has also included four-wheel disk brakes, reversing camera and for the first time for a Japanese truck in this class – stability control and the only 7,500kg GVM truck to provide the driver and passenger airbags.
Based on the familiar Hino 300 Series design, driver comfort was a priority – the ergonomically designed interior features a magnetically dampened driver’s suspension seat and updated instrumentation and switches for 4×4 operation.
Importantly with the increase in ride height, a great deal of work went into ingress and egress, featuring a surefooted step arrangement and long hand grips for three points of contact when entering and exiting the truck via the slip resistant access steps.
Another design feature is the new model’s 840mm wide chassis with rivet-less top flange and grid hole design, which allows for easier body fitting and uses multi-leaf front and rear suspension.
“Selected Hino customers have been evaluating prototype trucks on and off-road on some of Australia’s harshest bush tracks, trails and roads over a number of years, and they haven’t missed a beat,” said Petrovski.
“Together with Hino Motors Japan, we have developed and delivered a truck that incorporates our customers’ specific requests and requirements,” he added.