This week new levels of features and performance have been reached at the lower end of the weight range as Hino release the new 300 Series Light duty truck. The new range features something Hino are calling SmartSafe, a comprehensive safety package with advanced driver-assist technology that takes an active focus in protecting the life of drivers, passengers and other road users.
“Hino SmartSafe includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), in addition to the already extensive list of standard safety features such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Reverse Camera,” said Daniel Petrovski, Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia.
“At Hino, we have lifted the bar in regards to the standard safety specifications that Australian customers should expect from a Japanese-built truck. Starting in 2011, the Hino 300 Series was the first Japanese-built light-duty truck to include the life-saving feature of VSC.
“Similarly, Hino was also the first Japanese manufacturer to offer VSC and PCS in the medium-duty market, with the launch of the new 500 Series Standard Cab in early 2019. It should come as no surprise that we have continued with this trend, by introducing Hino SmartSafe and choosing the most comprehensive safety package available for our new 300 Series models.”
Other safety features include dual SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification.
The inclusion of this safety suite does up the ante in this sector of the truck market, but from the outside the trucks look little changed with an update on the grille giving the game away that there is a lot more going on under the skin.
As Hino release the new 300 Series Light duty truck, there is also an improvement in performance from the new trucks, with a new model being introduced for those looking for even more oomph. Hino claims to offer Australia’s most powerful Japanese-built light-duty truck range and this claim has been further advanced with the introduction of the new 721 models.
The 721 features the five litre J05E-UJ engine with 205hp on tap with 600Nm of torque. This power unit is matched to the six-speed double overdrive automatic transmission, with a towing capacity of 3.5 tonne.
“The new 721 opens up many opportunities in the 6.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) class for tradespeople and local councils, with the true automatic transmission matched to the most powerful and highest torque engine in its class,” said Daniel. “The 721 is available in multiple wheelbases, as well as Single and Crew Cab models and fills an important gap in the market for Hino.
“We have listened to our customers, especially councils, who have conveyed to us that the availability of a 6.5 tonne GVM true automatic transmission model is a particularly important factor in their purchasing decision, so it is an area we have focused on.
