The new Canter Eco Hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2011. Click to enlarge.

The predecessor model of today’s Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid was already launched back in 2006. (Earlier post.) The right-hand drive hybrid vehicle has been sold more than 1,200 units in markets like Japan, Australia, Ireland, and Hong Kong. The positive response it received on the markets led to the decision to offer the second-generation model in both a right- and left-hand drive version.

Although the new Canter Eco Hybrid is based on the model launched in 2006, its second generation has been completely revised. The new Canter Eco Hybrid incorporates a light and efficient 3.0L 4P10 diesel engine with low fuel consumption; the BlueTec emissions reduction system combining a urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and regeneration-control diesel particulate filter (DPF), adopted in a hybrid light-duty truck for the first time in Japan; a DUONIC dual-clutch transmission in combination with built-in 40 kW / 200 N·m hybrid motor, the first fusion of those technologies; and a Li-ion battery.

The hybrid truck delivers best-in-class (2-ton class) fuel efficiency of 12.8 km/liter (30 mpg US, 7.8 L/100km), with all models over-fulfilling the 2015 Fuel Efficiency Standard. NO_x and particulate emissions are 30% lower than the limits set by Japan’s current emission standard (JP09), which has been in effect since 2010. When compared to the current Fuso Canter with a conventional diesel engine, the hybrid version uses more than 25% less fuel during a Japanese driving cycle.