Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc. (MFTA) unveiled a new, highly powertrain for its next generation of Mitsubishi Fuso Class 3-5 commercial trucks in North America. The integrated powertrain will meet EPA 2010 emissions standards and provide enhanced drivability, and is expected to increase fuel economy well over 10 percent, compared to the ­previous-generation Mitsubishi Fuso 4M50 engine designed for EPA 2007 emissions ­standards (based on internal testing).

4P10 engine - lightweight and efficient

The heart of the powertrain is the new 4P10 engine. The lightweight, highly efficient, 3-liter, in-line 4-cylinder diesel powerplant is designed for rugged service and low fuel consumption.

The engine features an intercooled, 2-stage turbo­charger, piezo-type fuel injectors, common-rail injection system, dual overhead cams and lightweight block. Careful tuning and higher-revolution operation, combined with the rapid response of the piezo fuel injectors, provide a flat torque curve with excellent response and smooth operation.

DUONIC dual-clutch (AMT) transmission - the world's first for commercial trucks

The DUONIC dual-clutch transmission is the first ever application, globally, of a dual-clutch transmission in a commercial truck. The new 6-speed transmission works in sync with the new engine to meet the company's drivability, emissions, and fuel ­efficiency goals.

The driver will drive the vehicle just as a standard automatic, using only a throttle and brake pedal - no clutch manipulation is required and no clutch pedal is installed. The transmission's electronic control system uses a multi-value control system to match transmission shift points to vehicle load, speed, driving conditions and accelerator angle, minimizing torque interruption (power decline) during gear changes. Gears change smoothly, without power loss during shifts.

For urban environments, the DUONIC transmission offers further enhancements. An "ECO mode" allows the driver to adjust shift points to reduce fuel consumption during heavy traffic operation, and a "creep" function has been added to make control of the vehicle easier when subtle adjustments to vehicle speed are needed in heavy stop-and-go traffic and for hill starts. For added convenience, and as with most automatic transmissions, a Park function has also been included, which locks an internal transmission gear to help assure safety and stability when the vehicle is parked.

Finally, the DUONIC transmission uses a wet-clutch design which eliminates the need for regular clutch changes due to wear, thus reducing maintenance costs and ­contributing to low cost of ownership.

BlueTec- advanced emissions reduction system

BlueTec emissions technology requires no complex changes to the engine's operation. The system consists of components already introduced to meet US EPA 2007 emissions regulations (the diesel particulate filter, or DPF, and diesel oxidation catalyst, or DOC), which have been enhanced with new BlueTec selective catalytic reduction (SCR) treatment. (BlueTec is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.)