FUSO has launched its new heavy-duty flagship in New Zealand – giving "the most advanced Japanese truck ever" an old (but famous) name.
"The legendary Shogun is back," Fuso NZ announced at the launch. But this new-generation version – with its modern Daimler Group driveline and six-pack of high-tech safety features – is, it adds, "head and shoulders above its predecessors…and the competition."
The new Shogun has two ratings for its new FUSO OM470 11-litre engine, derived from the Detroit DD11 – a 460 horsepower/338 Kilowatt version that produces 1622 lb ft/2213 Newton metres of peak torque….or a 398hp/296kW variant, with 1483 lb ft/2011Nm. 
They meet the Euro 6 exhaust emissions standard using a mixture of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). 
They're mated with G230 or G330 ShiftPilot automated manual transmissions – FUSO adaptations of one of the latest Mercedes-Benz AMTs.
The Japanese truckmaker says that the Shogun is its first heavy-duty model to make the most of it being part of the Daimler Group – the world's biggest truck manufacturer.
Fuso NZ MD Kurtis Andrews is bullish about the Shogun's sales prospects: "We're pretty confident that the market will recognise the value Shogun offers and that it will grab a significant slice of the heavy-duty truck market share in the next 12 months."
The Shogun's launch, backed-up by a safety feature update for the light-duty Canter and "the inclusion of new five-year warranties, EasyPay 'cents per kilometre' service plans and some further product updates to come later in the year, will make 2019 the most important year since the launch of Fuso NZ," Andrews adds.
The new-generation flagship is, he says, achieves a new level for FUSO customers – putting the make "back on the heavy-duty shopping list for a far wider range of operators."
Andrews reckons that the new truck "is way ahead of the pack for safety, comfort and economy. Its new ShiftPilot transmission mapping, customised for NZ conditions, is a huge step up and drivers will appreciate the significantly quicker gear shifts – twice as fast as in the HD."
Problems, at least initially, with the outgoing FUSO HD model's AMT performance have seen Fuso NZ go to exceptional lengths to avoid any repeat – fine-tuning the new G230/G330 transmission and its interface with the OM470 engine for NZ conditions.
Even after 3.3 million kilometres of Shogun testing in Japan, Fuso NZ had operators clock-up an additional 150,000kms on NZ roads, in 45-tonne tipper and linehaul tractor unit applications.
During that testing Fuso NZ says the test trucks used "up to 20%" less fuel than the old HD model.
There are savings in brake life as well, thanks to the OM470's Jacobs engine brake, which delivers up to 460hp/338kW in three stages.
The new Shogun's remarkable standard safety package includes active emergency braking, which will if necessary, brake autonomously to avoid a collision. It also has a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance to the vehicle in front – even resuming after a brief halt in stop-start traffic.
It also has active attention assist – an advanced driver fatigue monitoring system that monitors steering input, the truck's path between lane markings and the driver's head position and eye movement for signs of inattention and driver fatigue – issuing an alert if they're detected.
A driver airbag, a high definition infra-red reversing camera – displayed on the touchscreen media unit (which also has hands-free calling and text-to-speech functionality) – an emergency stopping signal (flashing brake lights), a speed limiter, hill start assist, ABS, EBS, traction control, inter-axle diff lock, trailer brake, brake override system, LED headlights with auto-sensing and levelling and auto-wipers complete the standard safety package.
Transmission functions include eco roll – allowing freewheeling when possible during highway cruising – plus rock free and crawler modes. There's also an eco-cruise mode to further improve fuel consumption. 
The standard suspension comprises long taper leaf springs on the front, with double-acting shock absorbers, and six-rod steel or air suspension on the rear axles, depending on the model.
 There will be nine Shogun variants in the initial lineup, including four 400hp models. They range from a 4x2 tractor to a variety of 6x4s and 8x4s in rigid, tractor unit and tipper configurations. Additional FS 8x4 air-suspension models in both standard and Hi Top options will be available later in the year.
Andrews says it was "an absolute no-brainer" to name the new model: "Shogun is a revered name in NZ trucking – and this new iteration will add massively to that legacy."  


For NZ's first test of the new Shogun, turn to Page 20