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tare weight and loadshare (twin)<br />
steer axle.”<br />
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN<br />
There will, however, be no delays in<br />
supplying a significantly improved<br />
cab layout that, like the 500-series<br />
standard cab, uses a modern mix<br />
of tones and designs to produce an<br />
extremely functional and pleasing<br />
driver environment.<br />
With some sceptics wondering if<br />
Hino had gone too far in its bid for a<br />
modern contemporary cab interior<br />
at the 2019 launch of the 500-series<br />
standard cab, Hino’s Petrovski<br />
asserted: “Feedback from drivers has<br />
been overwhelmingly positive since<br />
we first introduced the new-look<br />
interior.”<br />
Wisely, the new 700-series<br />
ignores the sceptics and delivers an<br />
attractive workplace with comfort<br />
and function obviously at the top of<br />
the design agenda.<br />
As Hino stated: “The<br />
ergonomically designed wraparound<br />
dash layout features all-new instrumentation<br />
with large, high contrast<br />
speedometer and tachometer, and a<br />
central seven-inch multi-information<br />
display, which contains important<br />
information such as SmartSafe<br />
settings, driving economy, gear<br />
selection and vehicle maintenance<br />
data.”<br />
Driver comfort starts with a<br />
cab mounted on a four-point air<br />
suspension and the inclusion of<br />
an Isri 6860 NTS2 driver’s seat to<br />
provide more rearward seat travel,<br />
Generous tilt and<br />
telescopic steering wheel<br />
adjustments make it easy<br />
to find a good driving<br />
position for ‘steerers’ of<br />
almost any shape and size<br />
greater seat depth and lumbar<br />
air support.<br />
Likewise, generous tilt and<br />
telescopic steering wheel adjustments<br />
make it easy to find a good driving<br />
position for ‘steerers’ of almost<br />
any shape and size, while control<br />
buttons on the steering wheel<br />
offer fingertip ease for phone calls,<br />
setting the adaptive cruise control<br />
system, and operating the information<br />
display screen.<br />
On the outside, exterior design has<br />
been notably refreshed with style<br />
changes to the grille in particular. A<br />
shallower three-slat grille, for instance,<br />
denotes a nine-litre model and a taller<br />
four-slat grille, a 13-litre version.<br />
All up, even a short stint behind<br />
the wheel of several static trucks<br />
suggests Hino’s new 700-series is<br />
something special for the brand in<br />
this country and perhaps something<br />
special in the evolution of Japanese<br />
heavy-duty trucks.<br />
Time will tell, of course, but right<br />
now there’s a sense of expectation<br />
that on-road experience will only<br />
confirm what we’re already thinking.<br />
Stay tuned!<br />
Above, L to R:<br />
All Hino 13-litre<br />
models run a ZF<br />
Traxon 16-speed<br />
automated<br />
transmission,<br />
engaged by a<br />
rotary knob<br />
on the dash.<br />
Manual or auto<br />
operation is via<br />
a wand on the<br />
steering column;<br />
A vital new<br />
model, the FR<br />
2632 6x2 rigid,<br />
is punched by a<br />
nine-litre engine<br />
stirring through<br />
an Allison auto.<br />
All 700-series<br />
trucks will come<br />
with either an<br />
Allison automatic<br />
or automated<br />
manual<br />
transmission.<br />
There are no<br />
manuals<br />
Left: Hino’s<br />
700-series<br />
is a far more<br />
competitive and<br />
appealing line-up<br />
FULLYLOADED.COM.AU July 2021 <strong>ATN</strong> 55
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