Hino 700 Series FS 2848 2021 Review

When Hino first showed us the 700 Series back in June, we were told that although it looks similar to the old version, it’s what’s beneath the skin that counts.

The big-ticket item is, of course, the safety package, but also included is a larger range of trucks bearing the 700 moniker.

Hino announced a raft of new models for its overhauled 700 Series heavy-duty range, the Japanese brand saying the number of variants has increased from 10 to 19.

The line-up spans new 4x2 and 6x2 rigid trucks ideally suited to distribution roles, to new 6x4 and 8x4 models perfect for heavy distribution and vocational applications, catering for a broader spectrum of customers across the heavy-duty category.

In a move that reflects the changing nature of the trucking landscape, Hino is only offering two-pedal transmissions in the Hino 700 Series range: a six-speed Allison 3200 automatic or Allison 4440 automatic for nine-litre models, and a ZF 16-speed AMT for 13-litre models.

We’ve already shown you the new 9.0-litre version of the 700 Series, so this time it’s the big banger, the 13-litre that we’re taking for a run for a couple of days.

As mentioned, the 13-litre variants get the 16-speed ZF transmission which is an automated manual box and you can run it as a full auto or push a button on a stalk and manually shift it if that’s your preference.

Our 13-litre was an FS 2848 with a 14-pallet curtainsider body. The 2848 means that it is rated to 28 tonnes GVM and the engine output is 480hp. The truck was loaded to around 20 tonnes GVM.

As mentioned, the new 700 Series is fairly bristling with safety features – something the previous was devoid of except for the equipment mandated by ADRs.

For the first time, Driver Monitor (DM) has been added to the Hino SmartSafe package, which is a comprehensive safety package featuring driver assist technologies that take an active focus on protecting the lives of drivers, passengers and other road users.

The new Driver Monitor system 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.

The camera for the Driver Monitor system is embedded in the A pillar of the Hino 700 Series.
“Driver Monitor seeks to reduce the number of accidents caused by driver inattention, and driver fatigue,” said Daniel Petrovski, Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia.

“National Transport Insurance (NTI) recently released the 2021 National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) report which found that two of every three truck driver fatalities were as a result of either fatigue or distraction.

“The report also found the number of significant accidents caused by distraction more than doubled in the past two years, which makes Driver Monitor an important addition to the 700 Series and its Hino SmartSafe package,” said Petrovski.

Hino SmartSafe also includes a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, stability control, reverse camera and a suite of other standard safety features.

However, the safety of the 700 Series isn’t restricted to cameras, radars and other technology. It’s also in the braking system which I found to be particularly good during our drive around Victoria’s Gippsland region.

The 700 Series is fitted with standard Jake brake, but that is augmented by a multi-stage ZF intarder on the back of the transmission. Both of these braking systems are controlled by a stalk on the left-hand side of the steering column.

Pull down once on the stalk and the Jake brake is engaged, pull down again and you get Jake and intarder, two more stages are available for more intarder until the final stage gives maximum braking so that, driven carefully, there is little need to use the service brakes.

The system is easy to get used to and very effective.

Hino has also increased the comfort and ergonomics inside the 700 Series so the driver is better catered for.

The new wrap-around dash is a big improvement. As is the new screen between the speedo and the tacho. This gives a wide range of information to the driver including trip computer, SmartSafe settings, vehicle data and servicing.

IN the centre of the dash, to the left of the driver is the multi-media system that provides the GPS, multi-function radio, camera and more. The unit has a USB port and has wi-fi connectivity.

The new Hino also gets an upgraded Isri driver’s seat which gives more rearward movement for taller drivers and a multitude of adjustments so it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel.

The co-pilot gets a fixed seat and there is a fold-seat in the middle that’s best used for emergencies.

Climbing up the three steps to enter the 700 Series I noted the sturdy non-slip steps that seemed to grip my boots, also noted were the two grab rails that gave the ‘three points of contact’ entry and exit.
Once up in the cab, I found easy adjustment of the Isri suspension seat and adjusted the steering column.

The new steering wheel has controls on it for cruise control and for toggling through the central screen, but curiously doesn’t have volume for the audio and phone.

Storage is good throughout the cab with overhead storage (good for your work diary), door pockets, drink holders and plenty of places to put things like your phone or wallet.

There is a sleeper but it’s more just for a rest while you’re waiting to load/unload rather than a proper sleeper for a night or two away.

Vision is a high point for the Hino. The windscreen is deep and wide and the A pillars are narrow minimising blind spots. The rear-vision mirrors are great with solid mountings and no vibration. There’s a flat mirror on the top and convex spotters on the bottom.

Cranking up the 13-litre engine gives a nice rumble but it’s not offensive and the noise levels in the cab are low.

Under normal conditions with our load on, the transmission would start around fifth in the 16-speed box and skip-shift its way up quickly to top gear where I found that at 80km/h we were doing around 1200rpm and at 100km/h we were at 1500rpm but still in the ‘green’ zone for maximum torque on the tacho.

I took the truck out of Melbourne and went in search of some hills and found the bighearted Hino loved a bit of a hill. It would shift down a cog to 15th and just grunt up the hills. I was impressed. Admittedly, at 20 tonnes, it’s anywhere near its GCM of 63 tonnes, but really, in this guise as a 14-pallet curtainsider, it is an indicative weight for an intrastate run.

In a combination of city and country driving, over two days, I got fuel economy readings of between 2.7 and 2.9km/litre (37 litres/100kms and 34 litres/100kms) which is not bad for 20 tonnes, though not extraordinary.

Overall, I enjoyed my time in the Hino FS 2848. It’s an easy truck to live with and while the previous model did seem a little plain and lacked the safety features needed in this day and age, this model by comparison is streets ahead.

It has most things that the new Euro trucks have, save for a bit of panache, and now that it’s Euro 6 you can feel like you’re doing the right thing environmentally too.

It certainly is a comfortable truck to spend a couple of days in, so if you’re in the market for a truck with plenty of grunt and one that’ll tow a trailer if needed, or just have plenty of torque in reserve to flatten out the hills, this Hino should be on your demo drive list.

Specifications:
Engine model: Hino E13C-BK
Displacement: 12.913 litres
Fuel injection system: Electric control common rail
Transmission: ZF TraXon 16 Spd AMT
GVM: 28,300kg
GCM: 63,000kg
Power: 480hp/353Kw
Torque: 2157Nm
Wheelbases: 4.2m, 4.5m, 6.3m
Max Nominal Body Length: 6.1m, 6.5m, 9.3m
Front Axle: MF 781R Reverse Elliot I-beam
Suspension: Taper Leaf Spring, shock absorbers & Stabiliser bar
Axle Limit (incl suspension): 7500kg
Tyre limit: 6900kg
Rear Axle: THD 17 Tandem drive axle
Inter axle differential lock: Equipped
Differential Cross Lock: Equipped
Suspension Leaf: Hino 6 Rod with Taper leaf springs
Suspension AIR: Hendrickson HAS with ECAS