2006 FG140 Medium Duty Truck Still the Only 4WD Cabover in U.S.

The class 4 FG 4-wheel drive commercial truck from Mitsubishi Fuso offers superior on- and off-pavement driving performance, handling, comfort, aesthetics, and value.

Mitsubishi Fuso 4WD FG140 offers versatility of 4WD, maneuverability and 14,050 lb. GVWR.

Logan Township, NJ — The new 2006 model FG140 combines substantial interior space and amenities, refined instrument panel and controls, and the rock-solid performance of 4-wheel drive in a maneuverable cabover design. Add an appropriate body, and this 4-wheel-drive cabover from Mitsubishi Fuso should handle any vocation suitable to its class 4 rating, including construction, landscaping, municipal road work/snow plowing, and more.

Two-speed transfer case and driver-activated 2WD/4WD selector add flexibility

The combination of the 2-speed transfer case, front-locking hubs and standard Mitsubishi 5-speed manual transmission give the FG the on-road economy of 2-wheel drive plus the off-pavement versatility of dual-range, 4-wheel drive — all selectable by the driver from inside the cab when the front wheel hubs are manually locked.

With this drivetrain, the 4M50 299-cu.-in. (4.9L) dual-overhead-cam, dual-balance-shaft, turbocharged, intercooled 4-cylinder diesel engine generates 147 HP and 347 lb.-ft. of torque.

Drum-type service brakes with vacuum servo assist are standard at all four wheels, with the added safety of ABS. The parking brake is a drum/driveline, internal-expanding-shoe type. Driver-activated, vacuum-actuated exhaust brake helps retard speed on downhill grades.

Styling refinements are an indicator of functional improvements

Mitsubishi Fuso completely restyled its FG model in 2005. Improved function, though, guided the improvement in aesthetics, according to Robert J. Aquaro, vice president of product assurance at MFTA. “A 4-inch-higher windshield not only improved the aesthetic profile,” says Aquaro, “but also improved driver visibility. Compact halogen headlamps were sculpted into sleek fender profiles not only for aesthetics, but also to improve nighttime visibility, reduce drag and cut wind noise.”

Even the engine air intake uses a noise-reducing snorkel design with dry paper element to help make the cabin quieter and less fatiguing for the driver.

The FG represents the roomiest class 4 cabover in the industry, with ample space for the driver plus two passengers to travel in comfort, while offering exceptional driver visibility. For better visibility to the sides and rear as well, Mitsubishi Fuso offers optional split door mirrors, with convex surface mirroring on the lower section to increase the driver’s view of objects adjacent to the vehicle.

The parking brake is situated between the driver’s seat and the adjacent passenger seat, where it’s handy but out of the way. The dash-mounted transmission shifter — an industry first — clears the floor area of obstructions, allowing the driver and passengers to easily exit the vehicle on the curb side.

The door hinges are another indicator of the thoughtfulness of the Mitsubishi Fuso design team. Wider-swinging doors allow easier access for the driver and passengers, but the wider the door swings, the further into traffic or curbside obstacles it protrudes. The Mitsubishi Fuso solution is a unique offset hinge that opens to 70-degrees, while pushing forward several inches. The result: full access for driver and passengers, plus limited travel of the door.

The FG can be ordered in two wheelbase lengths: 112.6" and 136.2", which accommodate 12', 14', and 16' bodies. Turning diameter for the FG with 112.6" wheelbase is a tight 37.7 ft. — shorter than the turning diameter of many family sedans — so maneuvering through a crowded job site, or navigating tight urban streets, is no problem for the new FG.

The steering wheel tilt and telescoping adjustments are consolidated in one control that allows the driver to quickly adjust the steering wheel to his or her best driving position. Instrumentation includes a tachometer as standard equipment, is easy to read, day or night, and the most important instruments and gauges are located in direct line of sight. Daytime running lights and power windows are standard, and doors include internal crush bars, to help increase frontal-impact protection.

Center and right-hand passenger seats can also be folded down to form a work area for the driver, and extra storage compartments are housed in the cab area. This is particularly advantageous for owner/operators who do much of their “office” work in their vehicles.

The FG is available in five cab colors — Natural White, Arcadia Silver, Jupiter Green, Mars Red and Shannon Blue. Standard seating surfaces are blue/gray cloth.

Exclusive 5-Year Limited Powertrain Warranty

As with all Mitsubishi Fuso commercial trucks, the FG140 comes standard with an exclusive 5-year limited powertrain warranty. For FE and FG models, including the FG140, the limited powertrain warranty covers all major driveline components for 5 years or 175,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty is in addition to the standard 3-year limited bumper-to-bumper warranty offered on all Mitsubishi Fuso medium duty trucks. Buyers should see their local Mitsubishi Fuso dealer for details, limitations and exclusions.

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