Mitsubishi Fuso Canter

The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter (三菱ふそう・キャンター) is a line of light duty commercial vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, part of Daimler Truck, subsidiary of Mercedes Benz Group. The Canter is manufactured since 1963, now in its eighth generation. The Canter is named after the English word describing the gait of a horse, emphasising the 'thoroughbred' nature of Mitsubishi trucks. In Japan, its traditional competitors are the Isuzu Elf, the Toyota Dyna and the Nissan Atlas.

Early export sales began to South East Asia only, but shortly later the series began seeing export to other markets including Australia, New Zealand, the Near East and since the mid eightys North America. Indonesia (there named "Colt Diesel" until 2022) has become the biggest export market since many years ago, followed by the Near East and Taiwan. In total the Canter is marketed to more than 150 countries. Fuso operates its own factories in Japan, Chennai/India and Tramagal/Portugal, further assemblies from CKD kits exist in Egypt, Portugal, Jakarta, the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey and Russia. The Tramagal factory supplies to Western Europe (European Union plus Norway and Switzerland) at a local sourcing rate of 50%. during the seventh generation a twin rear axle Canter was available and since 2018 the Nissan NV350 is exported to the Near East as a Canter Van. Nowadays there are two line ups in parallel (Eighth generation and General Export Models) each with narrow or wide variants from 3.5 to 8.5 tons gross weight. In Japan the Canter series include the Canter Guts, a 1.5 ton payload truck specially adopted to the rules for the Japanese class of compact vehicles but the term Guts is not always used. Further adoptions exist to local markets including engines and exhaust gas treatments. In 2010, still with the seventh generation, at Tramagal new more environmentally friendly power trains were introduced with Iveco F1C diesel engines by Fiat Power Train (FPT) and transmissions from ZF Friedrichshafen. The eighth generation fitted with these "World Engines" is determined to developed countries with strict emission limits, furthermore it is available as EcoHybrid and as an all electric eCanter. For developing countries a simplified version with Mitsubishi engines is available as General Export Modell. There are several naming systems depending on time and market. E. g., in Japan a Canter 15 is a truck with 1.5 tons payload while pretty much the same truck in Europe was denominated as Canter 35 because of its 3.5 tons gross weight. In Indonesia model names are based on the chassis codes (F codes, e. g. FE71, FE83) opposed to North America where the numerical part of the model name represents the gross weight in hecto pounds (hlb. ), e. g. FE130 is a 13,000 lb. truck. Starting with the seventh generation Fuso introduced a naming system similar to that used by parent company Daimler in Europe, in Australia and New Zealand a similar system had been introduced. This system is preferably used here because of its expressiveness (for details see model box of seventh generation).

The very first Canter was the successor of the T710 produced from 1960 through 1963. The T720 Canter had two round single headlights but the facelifted version from 1964 had a set of round twin headlights. At a payload of 2 tons it was equipped either with the KE42 gasoline engine or the 4DQ11A diesel engine.

The second generation Canter appeared in 1968 with a 4DR1 diesel engine at and two gasoline options: the T91's KE42 was known from the first generation Canter, while long wheelbase versions (T93/97) received a 2.3 liter KE47 gasoline engine. The most common diesel version was the T90, available on a short or a long wheelbase. There was also a dual rear wheel version of the long wheelbase model with the T92 chassis code. The Canter ended up being built in Tramagal, Portugal instead since 1980. Later in October 2004, the factory achieved a production capacity of 15,000 units per year and shift with approximately 430 employees. More than 110,000 vehicles had been produced there since then. The fourth generation Canter was mostly available with a variety of diesel engines, but a 2555 cc 4G54 petrol inline four engine producing was fitted to the FC 35 model. Modell (Europe) Canter 35 Canter 46 Canter 55 Gross Weight 3.5 t 4.6 t 5.5 t max. Payload (estimated) 1.5 t 2.1 t 3.0 t Transmission (Standard) 5 speed manual Estimated Payloads are meant for a better understanding of the text. Engine (Japan) Prod. Run Displacement Power @ 1/min Torque @ 1/min Fuel system Valve train Aspiration 4G62 1.995 L 74 kW petrol with single carburetor SOHC natural 4DR51A 2.659 L 54 kW Swirl combustion + In line Injection pump natural 4DR5 2.659 L 59 kW @ 3700 Swirl combustion + In line Injection pump natural 4D30 11/82 3.276 L 66 kW 215 Nm @ 2200 Indirect Injection + In line Injection pump OHV natural 4D31 11/82 3.276 L 86 kW 279 Nm @ 2000 Direct Injection + In line Injection pump OHV Naturally asparated or Turbo 4DR51A is a 4DR5 resp. a subversion of it. 54 kW is presumably false, because in the predecessor the engine was already indicated with 59 kW. The 4D30 may have been a swirl combustion engine.

The fifth generation Canter appeared in October 1985. Its overall appearance was more square and smoother than the previous model, while larger, single, rectangular headlights replaced the earlier twin round units. Some export markets, such as the United States, kept using twin round headlights to meet local requirements. In the domestic Japanese market, the front "MMC" emblem was changed to the corporate three diamond logo, with an MMC emblem remaining on the passenger door. Because of its cabin originating from the Canter the Fighter Mignon became marketed outside Japan as a 7.5 ton (gross) Canter 75, Canter HD or FH series. Until the end of production of the seventh generation the Canter was manufactured and sold in Japan without Selective catalytic reduction. In Europe the engines of the predecessor had been taken over at first, followed by Mitsubishi engines with common rail injection and finally by modern engines based on the F1C engine by FPT. Starting with the eighth generation these "world engines" were also utilized in Japan and around the world for all developed countries with strict exhaust gas limitation, for less developed countries a simplified seventh generation remained in production in parallel as General Export Models. In connection to the DaimlerChrysler–Mitsubishi alliance Fuso was hived off from MCC and when the alliance failed remained with Daimler (at that time DCX). Additionally continuously new scandals, i. e. concealment of issues on car safety, came up again and again. Perhaps to fence off from this past the appearance of Fuso trucks was changed gradually: The product name changed from "Mitsubishi Canter" to "Mitsubishi Fuso Canter" on the seventh generation and finally to "Fuso Canter" on the eighth generation, the diamond emblem remained but changed from red to silver. This generation was introduced to Malaysia in 2010 and was discontinued in 2017. Model (Europe) 3S13 5S13 3C133C15 6C146C15 • 6C18 7C147C15 • 7C18 Pfau RexterA6500 4x4 also called FE74? FE74 FE84 FE85 FE85 Cabin width 1.7 m 1.7 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 1.7 m Gross weight 3.5 t 5.5 t 3.5 t 6.0 – 6.3 t 7.5 t 6.5 7 t Payload (estimated) 4.5 5.0 t Fuel capacity 80 L Model designations depended on the markets where sold, the European system indicated here appears to be the most expressive one: The leadingdigit indicates the (rounded) gross weight in tons, the following two digits stand for one tenth of the performance in horse power. The letter in betweenrepresents the cabin width (S=Standard=Narrow, C=Comfort=Wide) while an attached D was presumably used for double cabin models. Pfau vehicles with narrow cabin including double cabin models have had gross weights ranging from 3.5 to 7.5 tons. Engine (Japan) Prod. Run Displacement Power @ 1/min Torque @ 1/min Fuel system Valve train Aspiration Payload 4G63 1.997 L 79 kW petrol with MPI OHC natural 4M40 2.835 L 140 HP 4M42 2.977 L 92 kW @ 3200 294 Nm @ 1800 natural 4D33 11/04~ 4.214 L Direct Injection + In line Injection pump OHV natural 4M51 10/04~ 5.240 L 4M50 T3 2/04 4.899 L 103 kW 412 Nm Direct Injection DOHC, 4V 2 t 4M50 T4 2/04 4.899 L 118 kW 470 Nm Direct Injection DOHC, 4V 3 t 4M50 T5 2/04 4.899 L 132 kW 529 Nm Direct Injection DOHC, 4V 3 t 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic transmissions ELC were available. The Guts has been (at least) announced to be available with engines running on LPG and LNG. Otto and 4M40 engines had been utilized for the lightest vehicles only.~1990 resp. 2001~ means the engine was utilized "starting from 1990 or earlier" resp. "until 2001 or later", ~1995~ stands for "around 1995". Engine (Europe) Prod. Run Displacement Power @ 1/min Torque @ 1/min Fuel system Valve train Aspiration Emission class 4M42 OAT ( 13) 9/07 2.977 L   92 kW @ 3200 294 Nm @ 1700 Direct Injection + Rotary Injection pump + EDC DOHC Turbo + Intercooler Euro III 4D34 2AT6 ( 14) 9/07 3.908 L 105 kW @ 2700 412 Nm @ 1600 Direct Injection + In line Injection pump OHV Turbocharger + Intercooler Euro III 4M42 T2 ( 13) ~8/06 7/09~ 2.977 L   92 kW 294 Nm @ 1700 CR + Direct Injection DOHC VGT + Intercooler Euro IV 4M42 T? ( 15) ~10/06 7/09~ 2.977 L 107 kW @ 3200 364 Nm @ 1700 CR+Direct Injection DOHC VGT + Intercooler Euro IV 4M50 ( 18) ~4/07 9/09~ 4.899 L 135 kW DOHC Euro IV 4P10 T2 ( 13) ~5/10 2.998 L   96 kW @ 3500 300 Nm @ 1300 CR+Direct Injection DOHC VGT + Intercooler EEV with SCR 4P10 T4 ( 15) ~5/10 2.998 L 110 kW @ 3500 370 Nm @ 1600 CR+Direct Injection DOHC VGT + Intercooler EEV with SCR 4P10 T6 ( 18) ~5/10 2.998 L 129 kW @ 3500 430 Nm @ 1600 CR+Direct Injection DOHC VGT + Intercooler EEV with SCR 5 speed and 6 speed manual, as well as the Duonic® 6 speed DCT (on 4P10 engines only) were available.~1990 resp. 2001~ means the engine was utilized "starting from 1990 or earlier" resp. "until 2001 or later", ~1995~ stands for "around 1995". Figures in brackets, e. g. ( 13), represent a tenth of the horse power und relate to the upper table of models.

The eighth generation was first introduced in Japan in November 2010, sales started in Europe in 2012. At least in Europe this Canter also succeeds the Mercedes Benz Vario since its discontinuation in 2013. In Malaysia, this generation was introduced in 2017 and is still in production. The line up includes chassis weighing from 3.5 to 8.55 tons gross with cabins 1.7 (S) or 2.0 (W) metres wide. Canters with 5 tons (gross) or less have front axles with independent suspension; selected variants are available with crew cabin (D = Double cabin). Generally, offerings depend widely on the country: there are no standard (narrow) cabins in the USA nor the U. K. and no standard (narrow) double cabins in Europe. In Australia a 3S13 (locally called 313 City) with reduced cabin height is available. Some bodies for the trucks are available ex works (Europe: drop side and dumper beds, additionally in Japan: D van, D wing and reefer boxes, skip and car carriers). The "world engines" ranging from introduced in Europe with the seventh generation are now utilized worldwide paired to a manual five speed transmission, the 6 speed Duonic Dual clutch transmission is an option for many variants and a PTO is available with both gearboxes. On the Eco Hybrid a diesel engine is combined with a 40 kW electric motor generator and a 2 kWh lithium ion battery. Since 2019 the General Export Model is based on the 8th generation, but is fitted with simpler 4V21 engines which are Euro IV compliant only. In late 2017, the first pure electric eCanter was delivered to its customer in New York City. This was the first time the "Canter" designation has been used in North America. Some 500 eCanters were planned for assembly as forerunners to be replaced by mass production starting in 2019. On October 19, 2020, Fuso introduced a facelifted version of the Canter in Japan. The new line up includes 1.5 ton payload variants to comply with the Japanese class of compact vehicles/trucks, incorporating the former Canter Guts. Improved engines had already been phased in in early 2020 offering reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions while torque was improved. The engine designation was changed from 4P10 to 4P10+ to underline these innovations. Model 3S13 • 3S15 • 6S15 3C13(D) • 3C15(D) • 3C18 7C15(D) • 7C18(D) • 9C18 6C18(D) 4x4 7C15 Eco Hybrid Cabin width 1.7 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m Gross weight 3.5/6.0 t 3.5 t 7.5/8.55 t 6.5 t 7.5 t Max. load of chassis 1.5 t 1.5 t 4.5 6 t 3.5 t 4.8 t Wheelbase 2500 – 3400 mm 2500 – 3850 mm 2800 – 4750 mm 3415 – 3865 mm 3400 – 3850 mm Fuel capacity 70 L 70 L 100 L 100 L 100 L Model designations depend largely on the markets where sold. The European system indicated here appears to be most expressive (also utilized in Australia and New Zealand in a slightly different way). The leading digit indicates the (rounded) gross weight in tons. The letter in between represents the cabin width (S=Standard, C=Comfort=Wide). The following two digits stand for one tenth of the performance in horse power. An attached (D) is used for double cabin models. Engine Displacement Power @ 1/min Torque @ 1/min Remarks 4P10 T1 2.998 L 81 kW @ 2130 430 Nm @ 1600 Japan (2020) 4P10 T2 2.998 L 96 kW @ 3500 300 Nm @ 1300 96 kW @ 2130 430 Nm @ 1600–2130 Japan (2020) 4P10 T4 2.998 L 110 kW @ 2840–3500 370 Nm @ 1320–2840 110 kW @ 2440 430 Nm @ 1600–2440 Japan (2020) 4P10 T5 2.998 L 120 kW @ 3400 370 Nm @ 1300 NAFTA/USA 4P10 T6 2.998 L 129 kW @ 2860–3500 430 Nm @ 1600–2860 129 kW @ 2860 430 Nm @ 1600–2860 Japan (2020) GM V8 6.0 L NAFTA/USA

Since its fifth generation Fuso offered the Canter with all wheel drive in Japan and probably some export markets. In Europe all wheel drive became available to selected customers by Pfau in Springe, Germany (since 2016 insolvent) with the seventh generation as standard (narrow) vehicles with 3.5 to 7.5 tons. For the eighth generation Pfau have also offered standard and wide vehicles with 5.5 to 7 tons GVW with all wheel drive, despite the official European Canter programme only including a 6.5 tons all wheel drive vehicle. On the eighth generation standard (narrow) cabins have a permanent all wheel drive without crawling gear while wide cabin trucks feature a rigid front axle and part time all wheel drive with raised frame to improve ground clearance resp. approach angles.

Continuously stricter exhaust gas limits resulted in raising production cost and complexity, e. g. Common rail injection and exhaust gas aftertreatment. Thus, for less developed countries simplified vehicles with the old Mitsubishi engines and manual 5 speed transmissions (the biggest engine without synchromesh for lowest and reverse gear) were introduced. These General Export Models base on the seventh generation Canter, engines comply to EURO II and were sold in parallel to the eighth generation until 2019. Since early 2018 they were offered in the Philippines with more modern Mitsubishi engines conforming to Euro IV. In 2019 these vehicles were replaced once more by simplified variants of the eighth generation again equipped with outfashioned Mitsubishi engines (4V21) conforming to EURO IV instead of EURO VI for the FPT engines utilized on the standard eighth generation.

Late 2005, the first generation of the "Canter Eco Hybrid" based on the seventh generation Canter became commercially available in Japan. With a curb weight of 2.83 tons it featured 2 tons of payload, with 3 tons payload the curb weight was slightly higher at 2.87 tons. The "Eco Hybrid" based on the eighth generation is a wide 7.5 ton vehicle equipped with a 110 kW diesel engine with Duonic® automated mechanical transmission, 40 kW motor/generator located between engine and transmission and a 2 kWh lithium ion battery. This parallel hybrid system facilitates 20% lower fuel consumption.

The fully developed eCanter was launched in New York City in September 2017 and is scheduled for delivery in Japan, Europe and North America.

In 2014 the co operation between Fuso and Nissan has been extended, on some markets the Nissan NV350 is marketed by Fusō as CanterVan since then.

Several bus conversions exist based on Canter chassis including the factory made Fuso Rosa. In many countries locally made buses are a means to circumvent high import duties. In some cases under licence locally made chassis with outdated engines conforming to less strict emission standards allow for even lower prices. In Indonesia, some of the seventh generation Canter FE84 are converted to Transjakarta Minitrans feeder buses by New Armada Carroserie. In the Philippines, the Canter Commute, and Canter Express are locally built minibus conversions of the Canter, with a coach built body, and an aerodynamic fairing applied to the truck’s cab, resulting in a streamlined appearance.

Early models utilized the coeval T coding system to distinguish the different versions of trucks, chassis and buses. Starting with the fourth generation it was replaced by the F codes for the same purpose. Over time this in turn has been adapted to newer developments of the product itself. Furthermore, it can easily be confused with some sales denominations in some markets at a given time, e. g. a FC35 decodes as a 3.5 tons (gross) gasoline Canter and the numerical part of the North American FE130 decodes as its gross weight in hectopounds.

In the mid 1980s Fuso (MMC at that time) started selling the Canter in the USA, originally as the FE. In certain years there was also a medium duty (Class 5) FH series available

In North America the designation had been used on the pure electric eCanter for the first time starting with the first delivery in New York City towards the end of 2017. Some 500 eCanters were planned for pre production assembly as forerunners to mass production starting in 2019.

With the fourth generation, sales began in the Benelux countries, and in 1980, local production started in Portugal on a regular basis. Sales designations and programme vary depending on time and country, e. g. no standard/narrow cabins in the U. K.

Due to declining sales resulting from new European driving licences for cars being restricted to 3.5 tons since 1998 the eighth generation 5 to 6 ton Canters are no more available except the 6.5 ton 4x4 and the 6 tonner as being the heaviest standard/narrow cabin Canter.

Mayan Foolad is the official distributor of Mitsubishi Fuso in Iran, and has started its activities since 2016. Canter models to be supplied are FEA51, FEB71CL, FEC71GL and FECX1. Units are all supplied from the Tramagal factory in Portugal. All units are to European specifications and are tested and homologated based on Iranian environment, fuel and topography and are exclusively designed for the Iranian market. All units are supplied with Euro V standard and DPF filter is included in all models. Delivery to customers started in January 2016, and the Canter is to be assembled in Iran from 2017.