New generation Mitsubishi Fuso Canter launched in Malaysia
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation, along with its official distributor Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), launched the latest generation Mitsubishi Fuso Canter truck yesterday.
Launch formalities, presided by MBM President and CEO Mr Peter Honegg, were carried out at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang, where members of the media were given the chance to pilot the versatile light-truck around inside the enclosed compound of MAEPS’ premises.
In all honesty, we weren’t sure why MBM invited us to the launch of a commercial truck, but invited we were, and the prospect of test driving the Canter proved too outrageous and amusing an opportunity to decline.
Those of you not in the know might wonder why is Mercedes-Benz launching a Mitsubishi vehicle. The reason is, logo and name aside, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation has absolutely zero relationship with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the guys who brought us things like the Lancer, Pajero, Triton et. al. While they sprung from the same roots, a divorce in 2005 now sees Daimler AG (hence the Mercedes-Benz connection) holding 85% of Mitsubishi Fuso’s shares. The remaining 15% are held by various members of the Mitsubishi group of companies.
Now, back to the Canter. It’s a truck, so it doesn’t matter how it looks. What’s important is that it is cheap to buy, cheap to run, and that it is bulletproof. To its potential buyers, the Canter can look like Freddy Krueger for all they care.
Under the Canter’s, uhh…, cabin, is the 3,908cc 4D34 four-cylinder direct injection turbodiesel engine available in two states of tune. The lower state of tune, designated 4D34-2AT5, produces 108hp @ 2,900rpm and 275Nm @ 1,600rpm. The second, higher state of tune, designated 4D34-2AT4, is good for 134hp @ 2,900rpm and 370Nm @ 1,600rpm. Both engines are Euro-II compliant, and mated to 5-speed manual rear-wheel drive transmissions.
A total of four variants are offered. Their model codes are too long, but we’ll just settle by telling you that they are the 4.5-tonne 108hp variant, the 5.0-tonne 108hp variant, the 5.0-tonne 134hp variant, and the 7.5-tonne 134hp variant. Note that all tonnage figures mentioned are in terms of gross vehicle weight, or Berat Dengan Muatan (BDM) for a more familiar term.
At the launch-cum-media test drive, Mitsubishi Fuso personnel were keen to stress on the Canter being an extremely easy truck to drive. It features an in-dash manual gear change lever to mimic the car-like driving experience as much as a truck of its underpinnings can.
I was given the chance to test drive the entry-level 4.5-tonne 108hp variant – the FE71PB8SRDG1, if you must know. Before I go and describe what it is like, I need put down in writing that the mechanically closest vehicle that I have driven before was the Nissan Navara. When invited, I asked repeatedly if a D-license holder can drive this truck, and the answer was yes – as long as it wasn’t loaded.
So, on my maiden voyage in command of a truck, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was all rather easy. Too easy. Too ridiculously easy. The clutch pedal was probably lighter than the one in my Proton Waja. Steering was effortless too, with power steering standard feature on all four variants.
The only control input that felt heavy was probably first gear, which needed a substantial yanking before it slotted into place, though this can probably be explained by the fact that it was a barely run-in machine. Other than that, it wasn’t a difficult vehicle to drive by any means.
Perhaps it was the sheer novelty of it all, but I found driving the Canter particularly entertaining to drive. I don’t know if I would think so if I were to spend time with one on a daily basis, but it was a pleasant surprise to know that it isn’t as intimidating to drive as one would expect. Anyone who can drive a car with manual transmission can drive the Canter. It’s so ridiculously easy.
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