With a gross vehicle mass rating of 6,500kg, the Hino 721 Wide Cab model fits into a flexible market position for Hino across the upper end of light-duty and at the entry level of medium-duty.
To add to its versatility the 721 can also be ‘plated’ to a passenger car licence-friendly 4,495kgs GVM for applications where maximum payload isn’t a major criteria yet such models retain the same 3,500kgs braked towing capacity of the 6.5-tonne versions.
We’ve experienced the 721 Wide cab in the past, but with a built-to-go alloy tray and pipe racks more suitable for tradesperson requirements, instead of the full pan body of this example.
The body fitted is typical of a ‘rental’ application and is further enhanced with the inclusion of the d’Hollandia electro-hydraulic tailgate lifter. The 721 rides on 17.5-inch steel rims equipped with 22.5/80/17.5 tyres which is a step up from the 16-inch wheels and tyres fitted to most of the Hino 300 Series range of trucks.
Aside from additional stability and load capacity, the larger diameter wheels increase the ground clearance slightly which is especially handy at the rear where, along with the design of the well tucked up tailgate lifter, the additional height reduces the incidence of bottoming out in circumstances such as negotiating steeply angled driveways.
When we’re driving a four and half tonne, or even six and a half tonne, truck around densely urban areas such as Sydney’s inner western suburbs it is a wake up to note how many side streets have posted limits of three tonnes maximum GVM.
As these once working class suburbs have become more gentrified, there is also a problem of low hanging tree branches.
The Hino’s navigation system had been programmed accordingly and very effectively identifies the ‘no go’ routes, so we only had to look out for the branches, not the constabulary or over-enthusiastic council rangers. The Wide Cab 721 is available in either 3,500mm or 3,800mm wheelbases accommodating nominal body lengths of 5.0m and 5.4m.
There is also a 721 Crew Cab version which uses a 4,400mm wheelbase. The Hino 721 is powered by a four-cylinder five-litre engine which develops an impressive 205hp (151kW). The maximum 600Nm of torque is available from 1,600rpm and doesn’t taper off until 2,250 rpm.
The common-rail turbo engine meets the current ADR80/03 (Euro V) emission standards via exhaust gas recirculation combined with a diesel particulate filter system. The occasional automatic DPF regeneration during our test over a couple of days is unobtrusive and doesn’t interfere with the truck’s operation. DPF regeneration can also be initiated by the driver using a dash mounted switch.
Engine output is transferred through a six-speed double overdrive (fourth is direct) full automatic transmission which also provides the option of manual sequential shifting, with an activation button located on the selector lever for drivers who prefer to take control of the gears.
We’re content to let it control the upshifting points and it’s only on the steeper downhill roads that we flick back a ratio or two to assist with the effect of the exhaust brake.
Ventilated disc brakes are at all four corners and are integral to the Hino SmartSafe system.
The torque convertor connecting the engine and automatic transmission has a lock-up function and the shift programming delivers great drivability and fuel efficiency.
Similar to a car, the transmission kick-down initiated by the driver through the accelerator pedal assists the performance when ascending hills and the transmission upshifts as soon as practicable once over the crest to return to the most efficient and fuel saving ratio. The Hino SmartSafe system includes multiple elements such as driver and passenger SRS airbags, an energy-absorbing steering wheel, daytime running lamps, traction control, ABS braking and Vehicle Stability Control.
In common with the rest of the 4×2 Hino 300 Series range, the SmartSafe package also includes a Pre-Collision System with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) Pedestrian Detection (PD) and a Lane Departure Warning System.
The PCS can detect a vehicle in front using both radar and digital camera image sensors and if the PCS detects the possibility of a collision, it can warn the driver via both visual and audible alerts.
If the system continues to determine the possibility of a collision, it can autonomously apply the brakes to mitigate damage or even avoid the collision altogether. The PCS also includes pedestrian detection. The 300 Series cab has been tested to the UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification and features narrow A-pillars which contribute to an almost uninterrupted forward view.
The mirrors are large and remarkably vibration free at all speeds thanks to their solid mountings.
For servicing, the cab tilts easily with the assistance of its torsion bar tilt mechanism. Images from the high definition infrared Reverse Camera are displayed on the central screen automatically when reverse gear is selected.
Travelling in a forward direction at highway speeds and generally having the touch screen in navigation mode, a tap of the camera button switches the display to the reversing camera’s rear view on the screen, which can be very handy when overtaking vehicles such as caravan combinations, the drivers of which don’t usually provide the courtesy flash of the headlights common in trucking, allowing for a smooth and safe merge back to the left hand lanes.
The driver’s seat in the Wide Cab models has torsion-bar suspension with the damping adjustable to suit the individual driver and is mounted on inclined rails to make adjustments easy across a broad range to physically suit almost any driver and provide a high level of comfort with reduced fatigue, which is appreciated during the couple of continuous three-hour stints we have behind the wheel, which also has plenty of tilt angle and telescopic adjustments.
The Hino high-definition touch screen multimedia-unit on the truck’s dash is intuitive to use and setting up the all-important Bluetooth phone connection is very straightforward to complete, and we even have no troubles activating the voice dialing.
The touch screen is complemented by a comprehensive trip computer read-out centrally located between the speedo and the tacho and is controlled by buttons located on the steering wheel. This second display provides a range of vehicle operational, maintenance and performance data.
The cruise control settings are handled by buttons on the right-hand side of the steering wheel, and the ‘Off’ switch is slightly raised so there is no fumbling to switch back to the truck’s speed being controlled by the driver.
With a driver behind the wheel holding a minimum of a Light Rigid licence, the Hino 721, when rated at 6,500kgs, can handle a GCM maximum of up to 10.0 tonnes. In fitting with its “little big” (or “big little” if you prefer), the Hino 721 has a 200-litre fuel tank.
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