The new Hino 700 Series is the latest chapter in the comprehensive evolution of the entire Hino truck range and incorporates a number of significant advances in terms of safety and mechanical technologies.
Hino has left no stone unturned in their efforts to pack the new 700 Series trucks with an expansive range of features that will appeal to a wide market.
Basically, everything other than the chassis rails has received attention with the new air suspended cabs designed to allow more rearward adjustment of the Isri driver’s seat.
Larger staircase designed access steps are progressively spaced away from the door to make access easier and safer. There are three cab heights and by incorporating LED interior lights the Hino 700 acquires an additional 40mm of head room in all of them.
As it did with the 500 Series, Hino has moved away from the various shades of grey interior surfaces commonly found in Japanese trucks and the new 700 Series cab interiors feature a combination of ‘earthy’ tones with carbon-fibre and silver highlights.
The new wrap around dash has controls logically located and the steering wheel is loaded with various switches and the automatic climate control keeps occupants comfortable in all weather conditions. Polished Alcoa alloy wheels are now standard fitment on all new 700 Series models, which lowers tare weight considerably compared to steel wheels.
All Hino FY 8×4 models now have an additional one tonne of payload compared to the previous model, due to the mechanical load sharing front suspension which increases the combined steer axles’ capacity to 11 tonnes which will make the 8×4 versions contenders in applications such as agitator, bin lift and hook lift, as well as tipper and beverage deliveries.
A significant redesign of the rear suspension on leaf spring models has improved articulation and also lowered the tare weights. The new Euro 6 A09C nine-litre long stroke engine is a variant of what is available in the Hino 500 Series Wide Cab and also has some heritage with the all-conquering Hino Dakar Rally racing trucks.
There are two power ratings available depending upon the model and wheelbase. The 320hp model has exceptionally flat power and torque curves and delivers maximum torque of 1,275 Nm between 1,100 and 1,600 rpm. It is backed by an Allison 3200 torque convertor transmission.
The more powerful 360hp versions deliver their maximum torque of 1,569Nm also in the 1,100-1,600rpm band and drive through an Allison 4440 automatic transmission. The nine litre engines use an innovative micro-dimpled textured cylinder liners to reduce piston friction. The familiar 13.0-litre engine has two power ratings of 450hp/2,157Nm and 480hp/2,157Nm across the now wider range of 1,000 to 1,500rpm.
To comply with the Euro 6 exhaust emissions standards, the Hino 700 Series engines utilise a combination of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and a Diesel Particulate Active Reduction Filter (DPR).
The entire Hino 700 range is now two pedal operation with the E13C 13-litre engines matched to the latest generation of the ZF TraXon 16-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) which is controlled via a shift dial gear selector on the dashboard for selection of Drive, Neutral and Reverse, and features a ‘slow’ mode in forward and reverse for improved manoeuvrability control.
The dash-mounted dial selector is complemented by a sequential-type shift lever on the steering column which allows the driver to switch the transmission mode between automatic and manual, and to manually select gears without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. All vehicles in the new range now feature an Electronic Brake System (EBS) combined with the Hino Taper Roller brake system, which enhances braking performance and reduces maintenance requirements.
Hino has moved from S-cam braking to the taper roller design to reduce tare weight, decrease compressed air requirements, and deliver a smoother brake feel for the driver and reduced maintenance due to less moving parts. The 13-litre models are equipped with a belt and braces approach to auxiliary braking on downhill descents due to the inclusion of the ZF Intarder integrated into the TraXon transmission as well as the Jacob’s engine brakes.
The Intarder has four levels or retardation controlled by a lever mounted on the steering column and can apply up to 680kW (900hp) of uninterrupted driveline braking power even during clutch actuation and gear down shifting.
The 13 litre Hino 700 Series is the only Japanese heavy-duty truck currently available with a Jacobs Engine Brake as standard equipment. Safety is a central design principle of the new Hino 700 and the Hino SmartSafe system includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Reverse Camera and a suite of other standard safety features.
Due to the requirements of local certification procedures SmartSafe will be included on the 8×4 models from early in 2022. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is considered as the cornerstone of the Hino SmartSafe active safety system and was first introduced on Hino 300 Series models in 2011.
VSC continually monitors the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces and working in conjunction with the brake and engine control systems, VSC can help prevent the truck from rolling over when entering or exiting a corner too fast.
VSC is also able to enhance vehicle stability on slippery surfaces by autonomously reducing engine power and applying the brakes to individual wheels, helping to keep the truck on the driver’s intended path.
The new Driver Monitor system has been added into the Hino SmartSafe package and constantly monitors the driver’s attention towards the road using key metrics such as driving posture, face orientation, and eyelid status via a camera integrated into the A-pillar.
The system provides a visual and audible alert if it detects drowsiness or a lack of attention from the driver. First introduced on the Hino 500 Series Standard Cab in 2019 followed by the 300 Series in 2020, Hino’s Pre-Collision System (PCS) is an active safety system which can detect potential collisions with another vehicle via image and radar sensors by continuously scanning the road in front of the truck and can assist the driver to actively minimise the type of accidents that regularly occur through driver distraction or poor judgement.
The driver is warned both audibly and visually on the LCD Multi Information Display if it predicts a collision is likely to occur.
If the driver fails to react to the imminent danger, PCS can, as a last resort, engage Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) to apply the brakes to minimise the vehicle’s speed and subsequent damage in the event of a collision, or in some circumstances, assist the driver to avoid the collision altogether.
Pedestrian Detection is designed to detect a pedestrian in front of the vehicle and will respond in a similar way. At a global and Australian level Hino is involved in a number of joint ventures, partnerships and collaborations aimed at reducing emissions and waste.
The Hino Environmental Challenge 2050 has, as a key component of the global program, Hino’s aim to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of its vehicles by 90 per cent, which includes the development of next-generation vehicles such as plug-in hybrids, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles.
