Hino launches new 300 Series

Hino Australia has launched its new 300 Series, offering customers a light-duty truck that’s big on safety, power and efficiency, along with upgraded levels of on-road performance, ergonomics and comfort.

Engines and transmissions remain basically the same with the four-litre and five-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesels mated to either a manual or six-speed full automatic transmission.

“It has been less than 20 years since Hino first entered the light-duty truck market in Australia and the latest iteration of the 300 Series continues to be class leading in many ways,” said Daniel Petrovski, Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia.

Following in the footsteps of the 500 Series standard-cab range released last year, the new 300 Series features Hino SmartSafe, a comprehensive safety package with advanced driver-assist technology that Hino says takes an active focus in protecting drivers, passengers and other road users.

“Hino SmartSafe includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian detection, lane departure warning system, vehicle stability control, reverse camera and a suite of other standard safety features,” said Petrovski.

“Over 50 per cent of 300 Series models sold are registered on a passenger car-licence – choosing a new 300 Series will provide our customers with safety features superior to those found in many passenger vehicles, with the added advantage of a greater payload courtesy of a higher GVM, GCM and towing capability.”

The new 300 Series model line-up covers GVM ratings from 4.5 tonnes to 8.5 tonnes, and has a standard towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.

The new models are available in Standard Single Cab, Wide Single Cab and Wide Crew Cab configurations.

“In the 300 Series engine range, we have our proven four-litre and five-litre common-rail turbo-diesel engines, which are both available with a true automatic transmission, which is the preferred transmission of most customers,” said Mr Petrovski.

“Our six-speed true automatic transmissions ensure the highest level of driveability and performance, and Hino is the only Japanese truck manufacturer to offer a true automatic across the 4x2 light-duty model range.

The new Hino 300 Series Hybrid includes an updated hybrid system with changes to hardware and operational software, which are aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

“Upgrades to Australia’s only light-duty hybrid electric-diesel truck, the Hino Hybrid, include an updated hybrid system; new operational software; a new battery and inverter technology; and a new six-speed automated transmission," said Petrovski.

The battery itself has been reduced in size but retains its 6.5Ah (amp hour) rating.

“The Hino Hybrid retains its parallel electric diesel design and continues to use the Toyota Group-sourced nickel metal hydride battery, which is used in over 15 million hybrid vehicles worldwide.

“The engine and transmission have been improved with the aim of further fuel consumption reductions,” said Petrovski.

Petrovski said that Hino is currently selling around 50 Hybrids per year and that there are already around 600 on the road.

“Significant new introductions to our range are the 721 Wide Cab models – they are an important addition to our 300 Series J05 five-litre engine and six-speed automatic model line-up, which are Australia’s most powerful Japanese-built light-duty trucks.”

The J05 engine delivers up to 205hp and 600Nm of torque, which is the highest torque of any Japanese-built light-duty truck sold in Australia.

The 721 models are available as a Single or Crew Cab with a GVM of either 4.5 tonnes for car-licenced operators or 6.5 tonnes GVM for those operators holding a light-rigid licence or higher.

“With a maximum 10 tonne GCM, the new 721 models allow for a full 3.5 tonne towing capability even while fully laden,” continued Petrovski.

“This is a vehicle our customers and dealers have been demanding, and will suit tradespeople and council workers who can load their tray, and tow a fully laden trailer to the worksite, while enjoying the driveability that only a true automatic transmission can offer.”

Hino says that the foundation of the Hino safety specification is vehicle stability control (VSC), which has been a feature of the 300 Series for nearly a decade.

“The addition of Hino SmartSafe in the new 300 Series will reaffirm its position as the safest Japanese light-duty truck in Australia,” said Petrovski.

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The Pre Collision Safety System can detect a potential collision with another vehicle, and/or a pedestrian using radar technology and image sensors.

“If the system detects the possibility of a collision, it will warn the driver to apply the brakes using both visual and audible alerts,” said Petrovski.

If the system determines that a collision is imminent, it can autonomously apply the brakes to minimise the damage or even avoid the collision.

“Pedestrian Detection (PD) can detect a pedestrian in front of the vehicle – if the system detects a pedestrian, it will warn the driver to apply the brakes using both visual and audible alerts and, if the driver takes no action to avoid a collision, it can autonomously apply the brakes.

“Since its introduction as standard fitment on our medium-duty 500 Series Standard Cab models in early 2019, our customers have embraced PCS as an active safety system and have been requesting its introduction across other Hino models,” added Petrovski.

The 500 Series Standard Cab took out the 2020 Trucksales Safety Award for being the most advanced medium-duty truck in terms of safety.

As mentioned, other safety features of the 300 Series include land departure warning, daytime running lights (a unique feature for Hino in the light-duty truck segment), dual SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and electronic brake force distribution (EBD).

The 300 Series Cab has been tested to the UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification and features narrow A-pillars which ensure a nearly uninterrupted forward view.

Forward vision is complemented by the heated and electrically operated flat main mirrors, and the convex spotter mirrors which offer vision to the side and behind the vehicle.

“When combined with the high-definition waterproof and infrared Reverse Camera, the new 300 Series offers near 360-degree vision for improved safety when manoeuvring the vehicle.”

At the launch Petrovski said that the 300 Series would be targeted toward car-licence drivers who make up a large percentage of Hino’s light-duty customers.

“All of [the 300 Series’] benefits mean car-licenced drivers can easily take the wheel of a light-duty truck,” he said.

“Currently almost 80 per cent of our light duty 4x2 sales are automatics – given the current driver shortage, and the changing market, this is a figure we expect to increase.”

“Superior levels of cab comfort and interior ergonomics, complemented by innovative yet easy-to-use technology, all contribute to the driving experience in the new 300 Series,” said Petrovski.

“An improved dash layout includes a new driver instrument panel with an enlarged and centralised speedometer to improve readability, and a new easy-to-read high contrast 4.2-inch TFT LCD Multi Information Display.

“New steering wheel controls operate both the Multi Information Display and the multimedia unit, which features a large 6.5-inch high-definition touch screen.”

The multimedia unit is standard fitment across the entire Hino range of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks and is capable of connecting up to four cameras, with AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth music streaming and mobile phone connectivity with voice dialing.

The unit features an Android operating system, while Wi-Fi connectivity provides the benefit of over-the-air software updates.

Options for the multimedia unit include a digital video camera recorder (DVR), tyre pressure monitoring system, and truck-specific satellite navigation that takes into consideration parameters of the truck such as weight and height.

All of the new 2020 Hino 300 Series models come with a three-year or 100,000km standard warranty (whichever comes first), and the option of extending the warranty to five years.

The new Hino 300 Series is now available at Hino dealerships, with more information available at www.hino.com.au.