“The Hino engineers have completely redesigned the interior and exterior of the cab to provide increased comfort, functionality and practicality for the Australian market,” said Mr Daniel Petrovski, Hino Australia’s Manager of Product Strategy.
“The dynamic new ‘’face’’ of the 500 Series Standard Cab features a stylish two bar grille with an enlarged Hino badge while headlamps with integrated indicators are set in the bumper.
“Both the FD and FE models receive Light Emitting Diode (LED) headlamps, LED fog lamps and LED Daytime Running Lamps, all of which are a cost-effective solution that produce a clear bright white light.
“We have redesigned the interior of the 500 Series Standard Cab models to provide our Australian customers with a cab environment that sets a new benchmark for medium duty trucks.
“With its balance of carbon, silver and earthy tones, the interior colour combination will be quite unique in the Australian truck landscape, ensuring that the driving environment is convenient and contemporary, setting a new benchmark for truck interiors.
The operationally-focused, ergonomically-designed dash layout features all-new instrumentation with large, easy-to-read dial speedometer and tachometer and a central 7” LED Multi-Information Display which displays important information such as the Hino Safety Systems settings, gear selection, vehicle maintenance data, ECO Tree driving status, and basic vehicle operating information.
Another first for Japanese medium duty trucks in Australia is the multi-function steering wheel, with the rotary switch on the left providing fingertip control of the Multi-Information Display, and the right hand rotary switch controlling the settings for the Adaptive Cruise Control.
“Ease of driving is a requirement in the medium duty market which is why the Allison automatic transmission is a highly desired solution and is available across the range.
“A driver chooses gears via the unique Hino T-bar gear selector - the selected gear is then displayed on the central LCD Multi information display.”
Automated Manual Transmission models feature a dial type gear selector mounted on the new dashboard as well as an additional gear selection lever on the steering column that allows the driver to switch from Automated to Manual mode and change gears without having to remove their hands from the steering wheel.
“Inside it’s a series of changes and tweaks that aid driver and passenger comfort, convenience and improve vehicle operation and usability such as a 12V accessory socket and a USB charging socket, improved cup holders, a raft of new and improved storage spaces including overhead storage compartments with conveniently placed switches, and LED interior lighting,” said Mr Petrovski.
“The cab of a truck is more than just a driver’s office – it is often their home while on the road so we worked closely with Hino Japan to make this new model suitable for Australian drivers, specifying the best seat available to Hino, increasing its adjustability and the leg room, plus upgrading the bunk area to be ADR42 sleeper compliant,” said Mr Petrovski.
“The sleeper compliance will broaden the appeal of the new model, allowing for overnight trips or just a nap while on a work break in an approved rest area,” said Mr Petrovski.
Available for the first time in a Japanese truck, the next generation ISRI 6860 NTS2 driver’s seat offers improved levels of comfort including extra adjustability in seat rearward travel, seat depth and horizontal settings as well as an assortment of air lumbar support adjustments.
“Again, safety is paramount with the new seat featuring an audible seatbelt reminder and a SRS seatbelt pretension.”
“The new seat position has been designed to offer 48mm of additional rearward seat adjustment, offering increased leg room specifically designed with taller Australians in mind.
“The driving environment has been designed to provide an ideal driving position for drivers up to and over 6 feet (1.82 metres) in height and with the extra adjustability range of the seat and the steering wheel, almost any shape driver can find a comfortable driving position,” said Mr Petrovski.
“Our Single Cab models can seat three people with a high back Hino seat for kerbside passengers and a centre passenger seat for the third passenger.
“Crew Cab models have a standard seating capacity of up to six people – in the driver and front passenger positions there is a pair of air suspended ISRI 6860 NTS2 Seats with a handy document and storage box with large cup holders filling the void between the two front seats,” concluded Mr Petrovski.
In the rear there is seating available for up to four passengers on a full width Hino bench type rear seat.
Other upgrades include easier ingress and egress with non-slip cab access steps and longer easier to use full length grab handles ensuring three points of contact at all times.
The Hino 500 Series Standard Cab is now available at Hino dealerships nationwide with further information also available at hino.com.au.