Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that a new FUSO ROSA small bus series, the first full redesign in 11 years, will go on sale on Wednesday October 8 at Fuso dealerships throughout Japan.

The development brief for the New ROSA called for the experience and engineering prowess Mitsubishi has nurtured over the years through successive ROSA series to be fully exploited in creating a new small-size bus for the 21st century; one that was more comfortable, safer, offered more relaxed performance and was both people- and eco-friendly.

Several new features contribute to a significant improvement in passenger service. The introduction of the Easy-access Door has made possible, for the first time, a single-height step-less floor throughout the bus. Other features include a lower floor height, as well as improved dynamic performance with the world's first DOHC 16-valve direct injection diesel engine (with Silent Shaft balancing) that delivers class-topping power output. Driver safety is improved with an SRS airbag and seatbelt with pretensioner. Other class firsts include electronically controlled air suspension with a suspension "kneel-down" feature that facilitates passenger access, a power-operated window in the driver's cab, and zoned air conditioning with pulsating airflow for the passenger cabin. These new product features realize dramatic improvements in vehicular performance, safety and comfort levels as well as providing outstanding value for money.

New ROSA SUPER ROYAL (special photo version)

Major product features

(1) Advanced 21st century styling

• The new aerodynamic shape is composed of clean, plane surfaces and, with the low center of gravity, presents a reassuringly stable and well-balanced appearance.

• ROSA's sophisticated front view derives from a futuristic front mask that features twin 4-light multi-parabola headlamp units (standard on CX and up), window for the operator's name, and stylish safety window.

• The distinctive rear view presents a stable appearance deriving from the low center of gravity, complemented by cut-off tail styling and new-design circular rear lamp units.

• These advanced styling elements contribute to class-topping aerodynamics and a Cd of just 0.48.

(2) Superior comfort and roominess

Better passenger service

• ROSA uses an Easy-access Door (class first) that is located 600mm further forward than in the current model. All the passenger seats are now located behind the door, creating a more unified appearance to the passenger cabin.

• The engine and front axle have also been moved forward, enabling a floor which is flat from the second row of seats backwards (class-first). This results in a better seating posture in the second row of seats and with the seats from the second row back all the same height now, there is a more integral feeling to the cabin. This also gives passengers a more extensive field of view, and all passengers now enjoy the same amount of room.

• A new design frame, and a new body construction have made it possible to lower the floor by 50mm (lowest in class). This, in turn, has lowered the entrance step, as well as the height differential between steps, and created an entrance that is much easier to board or alight from.

• The front suspension kneel-down feature (class first) causes the entrance step to dip by some 40mm to further facilitate boarding and alighting. The whole operation takes just five seconds, so passengers are not kept waiting.

• The floor under the passenger seats has been raised 120mm above the aisle, thus elevating the eye point and giving passengers a better field of view. (Standard on Super Royal).

• The use of sash-less windows has made the passenger compartment more open and airy.

  Passenger seats

• A new ergonomic seat design gives excellent support and fatigue-free comfort even on longer journeys.

• The second last row of seats may be rotated through 90 or 180 degrees so its forms an L-shaped configuration or faces the last row of seats. (Standard on Super Royal).

• In addition to the improved seated posture in the second row of seats, optimization of the hip angle in all seats makes for a more comfortable ride.

  Climate control

• ROSA's climate control system incorporates the following new features: automatic air cooling and heating, zone control*, pulsating airflow* and optional static-electricity air filter*. The result is optimal control of the interior climate at all times for more comfortable and pleasant journeys. (Standard on Super Royal and Custom).

• A pictograph display lets the driver see at a glance the temperature setting, airflow and operating status of the system in both driver's cab and passenger cabin. All controls are touch-operated.

  * Zone control: This system uses sensors in the rear quarters of the vehicle to detect from which side the side is shining and then automatically increases the chilled airflow to the side where the effective temperature is higher, thereby realizing with a uniform temperature throughout. the passenger compartment

  * Pulsating airflow: Multi-step control of the air conditioner fan produces a pulsing effect in the airflow, making it more like a natural cooling breeze.

  * Static electricity air cleaner (available): A static electricity filter fitted to the air conditioning unit ensures dust-free air is circulated throughout the passenger cabin at all times for a more refreshing interior environment.

  On-board entertainment systems

• A 14-inch high-resolution television and multi-feature video unit keep passengers happy with their favorite television programs, films and karaoke entertainment. (Standard on Super Royal and Custom G models).

• A 10-disc CD changer and CD graphics unit enhance karaoke entertainment. (Standard on Super Royal)

  * CD graphics: A single unit combines a video CD decoder and audio-visual selector and plays images recorded on CDs (including lyrics and other still images, and animation)

  Cockpit

• The cockpit design is based on ergonomic principles to promote driver comfort and safe operation of the vehicle. The layout allows the driver to obtain the optimum driving position, provides an extensive field of view and is available with MMCS and other advanced equipment.

(3) Superior safety

Passive safety

• Occupant protection has been enhanced by moving the engine 205mm forward, the driver's seat 70mm backward and by fitting impact beams in the driver's door and inside the body wall on the assistant side.

• The driver is provided with an SRS air bag (class first) and 3-point seatbelt with pretensioner, and an impact-absorbing steering column (on all models).

• Passenger seatbelt anchor fittings have been strengthened, and the grab-handle on the back of the backrest uses a softer material to mitigate injury in the event of a crash.

• On kindergarten service models, the emergency exits have been enlarged to facilitate evacuation of the vehicle in an emergency.

  Active safety

• Twin headlamp multi-parabola units (class first), that incorporate fog lamp and cornering lamp, provide better beam projection and spread characteristics for a more extensive field of view at night. (Standard on CX and up).

• A load sensing valve (LSV) in the brake system compensates for changes in vehicle weight due to changes in passenger load and regulates the front/rear wheel brake pressure split to prevent early locking of the rear wheels, thereby realizing more stable braking characteristics.

• Anti-lock braking that enhances accident avoidance capability by increasing vehicle stability under emergency braking or when braking on slippery surfaces remains available as an option.

• An optionally available electromagnetic retarder (class first) reduces the load on the main brakes to improve braking performance and reduce driver fatigue.

• Optionally available is Mitsubishi's EZGO parking and gradient braking system (class first) that supplies positive braking when the vehicle is stationary on an up gradient and then facilitates moving off by eliminating the need for delicate handbrake and accelerator pedal coordination.

• The Easy-access Door (class first) improves safety by locating the passenger door closer to the driver's cab and significantly reducing the angle through which the driver must turn to check passenger safety when boarding or alighting.

• The wipers clear a larger area of the windshield, defroster capacity is upgraded and a larger windshield washer tank all contribute to improved visibility in poor weather.

• A power-operated driver's cab door window (class first) extends field of vision. (Standard on CX and up).

• Non-reflective glass in the instrument panel reduces eye-strain and improves visibility.

• A Back-eye Monitor (available) fitted to the middle of the instrument panel improves the driver's view of the perimeter of his vehicle.

(4) Performance

Engines

• The new 4M50T/4M51 direct injection diesel engines with 16-valve DOHC valve train and Silent Shaft balancers (world first in direct injection diesel) realize higher power outputs, better fuel economy and lower noise and vibration levels.

• The 4M50T engine with 16-valve DOHC valve train and turbocharger delivers class-topping power of 175PS. Two Silent Shaft balancers and a ladder-type frame reduce engine vibrations and transmitted noise for better passenger comfort.

• The 4M51 engine delivers a class-topping 150PS for a naturally aspirated engine.

• The 4D36 swirl-type combustion chamber engine that delivers superior response as well as outstanding economy and low levels of noise is continued in the new series.

  Low vibration and noise, long-life drivetrains

• 175PS engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive that is optimally tuned for the high power characteristics to deliver relaxed highway cruising performance.

• Optionally available is an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission that selects the optimum ratio for any particular engine load, making ROSA more like a passenger car to operate.

  Pliant ride

• To provide optimum ride and handling characteristics for different operating conditions, ROSA is offered with three types of suspension: Air suspension; independent front suspension; live front axle leaf suspension. Spring and shock absorber characteristics are optimized for each system to deliver a pliant ride with excellent handling stability.

• With air springs front and rear, air suspension models feature an Electronically Controlled Shock Absorber (ECSA) system which automatically regulates damping for passenger load and driving conditions to control pitching and rolling. This realizes substantial improvements in handling stability and ride comfort. (Class first)

• Independent front suspension models use a combination of coil springs and horizontal leaf springs. Constant optimization of spring constants on live axle leaf spring models assures a softer ride.

  Quiet interiors

• The new ROSA series features much quieter interiors thanks to the use of the new 4M50T and 4M51 engines, lighter and stiffer bodies, elastic body mountings, and exhaustive noise insulation and absorption measures.

(5) Easy-to-drive

• The optimum location of the driver's seat and steering wheel realizes the ideal driving position, enabling more comfortable and safer vehicle operation.

• The driver's seat features a new height adjustment and has a seat slide travel of 190mm. With the tilt-adjustable steering column, the driver is able to obtain his preferred driving position.

• ROSA now boasts the smallest turning radius in its class, thanks to a larger effective axle steer angle.

• The use of power-operated side mirrors (standard on Custom and up), and the optionally available retracting mirror stay feature make it easier to drive through narrow spaces and to garage the vehicle.

• The shorter shift lever improves shift feeling.

• Driver comfort and operating safety are improved with the MMCS multi-feature monitor unit (class first) which enables central control of the navigation system, Back-eye Monitor, TV, climate control and audio systems.

(6) More models to choose from

Full-time 4WD model with low floor

• The new 4WD model is easier to operate with the independent front suspension, new chassis and frame realizing the same low floor height as on 2WD models, and with the replacement of the current part-time 4WD by a center differential-with-viscous coupling unit and LSD full-time 4WD system.

  Route bus model

• Exploits the Easy-access Door to maximum effect in the short-distance transport of a limited number of passengers.

• Takes up to 29 seated passengers. Equipment required for one-man operation and destination indicator may be fitted..