Last fall, it was revealed that Hino – traditionally a medium-duty truck company owned by Toyota – would build a Class 8 truck for North America. That truck was unveiled on Wednesday at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.
The XL Series will feature both Class 7 straight truck and Class 8 tractor configurations and be powered by Hino’s A09 turbo diesel, 8.9 liter inline 6-cylinder engine. Hino has named the Class 7 model the XL7 and Class 8 will be the XL8.
The company will begin taking orders for both trucks starting later this year with production beginning in 2019 at the company’s Mineral Wells, NY, plant.
“Both drivers and owners are going to love this truck,” said Glenn Ellis, vice president of customer experience. “The first thing you notice is the styling — the aerodynamic yet bold design could proudly represent any business. Then you open the door to a wide, easy-access entry and an automotive grade finished interior ready to provide the best service possible to drivers and teams.”
Hino makes Class 8 trucks globally, but is known primarily for its medium-duty models in the U.S. The company has enjoyed market share success with its cabover models that have allowed truckers shorter turning radius and more maneuverability in urban environments. The new trucks will be traditional models.
“Considering our remarkable success in Class 4-7 in North America, and our growing global presence in the Class 8 market, entering the North American heavy duty segment makes for the next logical step. Not to mention our customers and our dealer network have been asking for this for some time,” said Yoshinori Noguchi, president and CEO of Hino Trucks North America.
The trucks will be come in various configurations, ranging from a GVWR of 33,000 to 60,000 lbs. and GCWR up to 66,000 lbs. The engine can product up to 360 horsepower and 1,150 lbs.-ft. torque. Wheel base options include configurations up to 304 inches. Tandem axle is also an option.
Inside the truck, driver comfort was considered. Model-year 2020 vehicles will include an air-ride cab and driver’s seat, hands-free Bluetooth audio/calling, steering wheel controls, LED headlights, cruise control, and air conditioning will all be standard equipment. The vehicles will come with HinoWatch 24/7 roadside assistance and HinoCare maintenance programs.
Hino’s telematics solution, Hino Insight, will be available. Hino Insight Telematics carries a one-year complimentary subscription, while Insight Remote Diagnostics and Insight Case Management are complimentary for five-years.
Hino’s parent company, Toyota, has been testing a Class 8 truck in California. Project Portal is a hydrogen fuel-cell Class 8 vehicle will run short routes – about 200 miles daily – moving goods from select Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals to surrounding rail yards and warehouses for distribution. Longer routes will be added as the study progresses, Toyota said, adding that the vehicle has successfully completed over 4,000 development miles to date pulling drayage rated cargo weight.
The Project Portal heavy-duty truck concept generates more than 670 horsepower and 1,325 lbs-ft. of torque from two Mirai fuel cell stacks and a 12kWh battery. The concept’s gross combined weight capacity is 80,000 lbs., and its estimated driving range is more than 200 miles per fill, under normal drayage operation.
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