Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks and Buses has launched their new Canter FG 8 4X4 truck range.
The arrival of the Canter 4X4 brings an end to the company’s roll-out of new models for 2008 that included the all new Fighter, Canter, Heavy Duty trucks and Rosa Bus.
Fuso Managing Director, Richard Eyre, is confident the arrival of the Canter 4X4 will be a boon to the company.
“We are confident the new FG will continue to build on our reputation by offering Australian 4X4 light-duty truck customers even higher levels of reliability and comfort,” he said.
The new FG Canter has taken from the current model its reliability, durability and strong chassis design and matched it with a new cab design to offer occupants improved levels of safety, comfort and drivability.
The Canter FG 4X4 will be a prime consideration for applications where its superb four-wheel drive attributes are required such as rural fire service, rescue, mining and emergency work.
Previous model Canter 4X4s have proven popular with farmers – where its load carrying capacity and ability to cover rough territory have been a major attraction – to trades people such as builders who often find themselves working in remote or near inaccessible areas.
Like all Canters, the 4X4 versions which come in either single cab or versatile crew cab models, are spacious and well appointed with features such as air conditioning and AM/FM/CD.
Because of its widespread use in rural fire service and emergency applications the Canter FG 4X4 is not equipped with power windows or central locking. Mitsubishi Fuso make no apologies for these omissions saying that in a life threatening situation such as a bush fire it is imperative the driver and occupants have total control over their egress from the cabin.
The crew cab version of the Canter FG 4X4 is ideal if you regularly need to transport a group of people. It can seat seven people in comfort and safety.
There are three models in the Canter FG 4X4 range. The short wheelbase single cab, the medium wheelbase single cab and a medium wheelbase crew cab. They all utilise the FE Canter wide cab design thereby providing vast levels of safety and space for the occupants.
The reinforced front door structure has side-impact beams for improved protection and the box frame and chassis members will deform longitudinally in the event of a frontal collision. The cab floor is reinforced and the instrument panel is impact absorbing.
The Canter FG 4X4 is powered by the much improved 4M50-3AT7 four cylinder 4.9 litre diesel engine which is both turbocharged and common rail injected. To meet strict ADR 80/02 emissions exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a catalytic converter is employed. That engine is rated at 110kW at 2700rpm and an impressive 471 Nm of torque at 1600rpm. That’s a seven (7) and twenty-nine (29) percent improvement respectively over the 2007 model.
The transmission is a five-speed manual with synchromesh on second to fifth gears and there is a PTO opening on the left-hand side of the case.
The transfer box is a two-speed TF3 with a low ratio of 1.987 and a high of 1.090 with the cable controlled selector conveniently positioned in a floor console to the left of the driver.
The final drive ratio in the front and rear axles is 5.285:1 with the rear axle capacity set at 4300kg and the front axle at 2600kg, both axles are of the fully floating type.
The Canter FG 4X4’s GVM across the range is 6000kg and a GCM of 9200kg. The GVM can be down-rated to 4500kg so that it can be driven by people with a passenger car driving license.
On the road the Canter FG 4X4 sits high, wide and handsome. The added ride height puts the driver and occupants up near some of the bigger trucks with the obvious benefit of great vision to the front and side. There are also large convex heated mirrors that can be folded flat against the cab when the truck is in tight situations.
Off road or in the rough is where the Canter FG truly excels as it easily claws and picks its way though the inclines and declines. The FG’s engine braking is exceptional on steep trails in low gears. Simply slip it into 1st and 4x4 low and the Canter will make a controlled decent at a slow, smooth walking pace without a need to ride the brake.
The Canters front hubs are free-wheeling but they can be locked manually to significantly boost traction. This allows the FG to successfully navigate terrain (such as very rough, loose or muddy/boggy surfaces) that would usually stop lesser vehicles in their tracks.
Like all Fuso trucks the Canter FG 4X4 is covered by a three year warranty.
Designed specifically to suit the needs of the fire service and government off road service departments, the new FG continues to use the tried and tested cable operated transfer case control rather than electronic/hydraulic setup found on other systems.
Approximately 200kg lighter than competition models and with considerably more torque, the new Fuso Canter FG 8 series 4x4 range is exceptionally suited for anyone seeking a light-duty off-road truck.
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