Hino’s 500 Wide Cab: leading the logistical pack

Yochanaan Coetzee - When your building your business, your fleet is key to ensuring whether your company makes the cut.

Your logistics, frieght or industrial workhorse could either unlock your growth, or could hold your dreams and development in a mechical and cost limbo.

One of the trucks which contractors and fleet operators have relied on for many years, has been the immaculate Hino 500 Series, which has been a forerunner in the market for the past 14 years consecutively.

Hino SA recently held a track day experiential at Tony Rust Race track, where current and potential clients had the oppertunity to test in new generation of a Hino trucks, the 500 Series Wide Cab.

Hino Indongo also invited the media out, to get a first-hand look at this exciting new model.

Expanded range

The Hino 500 model range has been expanded to give customers greater variety and feature 6x4 models for the first time. Also new is the addition of the masterful six-speed Allison automatic transmission, which is well-known for it’s highly advanced, yet hardwearing capabilities.

The new "Wide Body" models will now be able to haul payloads of 16 to 28-tonnes, and the current 6- and 8-ton models remain unchanged, as they’ve already built up a reputation for being bulletproof and absolutely dependable.

The chassis has been widend at the engine compartment to fit the bigger and stronger engines. A new, larger front axle lso offers increased load capacity - from 5.5 to 7.5 tonnes - and a 7% tighter turning circle and incredibly matches a Hilux-bakkie’s turning circumcumference, which comes in extremely handy when navigating tight inner city routes.

The adoption of a trunnion suspension system increases durability and allows the adaptation of a cross-differential lock system for 6x4 models.

Three engines are now being used in the 500 series, all of which are stronger and more economical than the previous series, as this increases fuel effiency through lessening the load on the engine.

The latest models boasts a range of engines with outputs ranging from 191 kW and 794 Nm, 206 kW and 883 Nm of torque, as well as the 11 liter, which develops 257 kW and 1 275 Nm.

Another feature that enhances QDR is a 65mm wider radiator core for improved cooling.

The chief engineer of the so-called "Wide Body", Hino 500, Mr. Mamoru Tamazawa said the design team's focal points with the new Hino 500 project were to further improve Hino's reputation for outstanding quality, durability and reliability (QDR) and this is clear by virtue of the well-thought out and extremely well-built product they have put out.

A driver’s delight

There are two cabin options available depending on the model, one semi-drive and the other floating (6x4 models) for improved comfort. The larger cabin has a new outside and inside view and feel, with exceptional ergonomics, which is sure to make long, hard days and long distance hauls, comfortable and engaging, but for all the right reasons.

One of the stand out features is definitely the new Allison transmission, which is not only smart enough to keep your revs in the most fuel efficent windhow, but also adds in new leve of safety and peace of mind, thanks to its engable “always-on” exhaust-brake, which brings the Hino 500 Wide Cab under complete control, whenever the operator releases the accelerator.

The air suspension system offers loading bay height control for ease of operation when loading and unloading. This feature is controlled via remote controller to make this operation convenient for the driverand is programmable to ensure quick operation at regular stops.

Bankable

With a reputation for quality, economy and value, that is easily comparable to its siblings from the rest of the Toyota automotive group and a record 26 consecutive Dakar-finishes, Hino is undoubtedly a dependable choice of vehicle with which to build your buisness.

If you’re in the market for a new addition to your commercial fleet, you need not looking much further, as Hino have the solution for you.