Mitsubishi Fuso Canter arrives in Europe

The arrival of a completely revised Fuso Canter marked the launch of the new generation of the truck series in October 2011. And now, for the first time, its all-wheel-drive variant is also coming to the European market. Production at the Tramagal plant in Portugal is in the end of February 2012.

The Canter 4x4 model in question is the 6C18 with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 6.5 tonnes, a 2-metre width Comfort cab and an output of 129 kW (175 hp). The all-wheel drive can be engaged and disengaged on the move and therefore offers good fuel efficiency.

A rear-axle differential lock is fitted as standard. The transmission is a 5-speed manual unit and the rear-axle ratio is 1:5.285.Customers have the choice of a comfortable single cab and crewcab (with 3 and 7 seats respectively) with wheelbases of 3415 mm and 3865 mm.

The chassis load capacity ranges from 3500 kg to 3735 kg. Thanks to the geometry of the all-wheel-drive system, the angle of attack is 35 degrees, as opposed to 18 degrees for the Canter 4x2 – while the angle of departure is 24 degrees as opposed to 11 degrees. Ground clearance is increased from 219 mm to as much as 320 mm.

European Honeymoon over for Hybrid and Electric cars?

The Europeans are considered the biggest fans of all things green and environmentally friendly and they supported the idea of biofuels, electric cars, hybrids and ultra high efficiency internal combustion engines.

With the European economies suffering the fallout of the American sub-prime ponzi scheme and facing the very real prospects of collapse of the Euro, many Governments are no longer keen to dish out subsidies on green technology.

For car companies, only ultra-efficient internal combustion engines - both petrol and diesel - are the only economically viable options and they can continue without any subsidies and this dramatic change in the subsidy landscape will have massive effect on the electric and hybrid car market in Europe.