Archive, Features

SAFETY FIRST – NEW FUSO ROSA

SPONSORED CONTENT: The new Fuso Rosa protects precious cargo with class-leading safety features - the most advanced to ever appear in the Australian light-duty bus class.

Every new generation Rosa will be protected by a comprehensive range of safety features, including advanced emergency braking, which can perform full emergency braking in the event of a potential collision. This advanced radar-based system can even detect – and begin braking for – pedestrians, Daimler’s Fuso Australia explains.

A lane departure warning system is also standard, as is an electronic stability program, driver and passenger airbags, height-adjustable LED headlights, hill start assist and a reversing camera, it confirms.

There are also three-point lap sash seatbelts and four exits. The new generation Rosa also features a transom window on the passenger side to further enhance its excellent visibility, Fuso adds.

First seen by a global audience at the Tokyo Motor Show late 2019 in Japan, Fuso has made a range of significant changes inside and outside the next-gen Rosa, which is available with 22 or 25 seats, further improving the most popular bus of the past decade in Australia, the company confirms.

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AHEAD OF THE GAME

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia president and CEO Daniel Whitehead says the safety features of the new Rosa are at the heart of its appeal.

“These buses carry our most precious cargo, whether it be on school runs or nursing home day trips, so it is imperative fleet operators consider their safety features or lack thereof,” Whitehead said.

“There is only one light-duty bus in Australia with advanced emergency braking, only one with lane departure warning, and only one with electronic stability – and that is the new Fuso Rosa.

“There are many other benefits introduced by the upgraded model, but nothing as important as the features that will help protect the ones we love along with those we will never meet,” he added.

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SAME BUT DIFFERENT

One thing that has not changed with the new Rosa is its generous five-year/200,000km warranty, giving owners real peace of mind, the company points out.

Fuso has managed to further improve uptime and help reduce running costs by increasing Rosa’s service intervals to 15,000km, the company confirms.

New for Rosa is an efficient 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel common-rail engine with the most power and torque in its class: 129kW and 430Nm. This advanced unit, which features a variable geometry turbocharger, is smaller and lighter than the engine it replaces, but is also more powerful, the company says. It also meets stringent Euro 6 emission standards, well ahead of Australian regulated standards, which ensures dramatic reductions of nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, it explains.

Fuso is also introducing its advanced Duonic automated manual transmission to the Rosa range, which features six gears. This advanced transmission delivers fuel efficiency improvements, as well as fast and smooth shifts, the company states. It also features a handy creep function for easy low-speed manoeuvring, while customers also have the option of selecting a five-speed manual transmission.

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PROTECTING, PLEASING PEOPLE

Fuso has significantly upgraded the interior of the new Rosa with a new-look dashboard that is both practical and stylish, it appears. It now incorporates the passenger side airbag, as well as a new climate control display and new switches for key controls that are within easy reach of the driver.

A new high-resolution 7-inch (17.8cm) touchscreen display with internet and digital radio has been introduced, along with a new electronic instrument cluster that presents a range of bus data for the driver including fuel efficiency information, maintenance status, current date and outside temperature.

There is also a re-positioned handbrake lever, which now sits to the left of the driver’s seat. Fuso has also taken the opportunity to move the transmission shift lever from the floor and on to the dashboard for easier control, which drivers would really appreciate.

The Rosa also benefits from new bright LED passenger lamps and high-backed cloth seats, while the rear air-conditioning system with integrated roof vents has been retained, it confirms.

A new flat floor design not only makes it easier for passengers to get in and out of their seats, but also allows for simpler aftermarket wheelchair lift installations, further aiding Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance measures. 

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ONE THE ROAD

The Rosa continues to feature independent front suspension for optimum comfort and handling, as well as rack and pinion steering for precise feel, plus a class-leading turning circle of 4.6 metres, Fuso confirms.

It also now features disc brakes at all four corners and rear suspension stabilisers, the company states.

Overall, Fuso has freshened the exterior design of the Rosa, giving it a stylish and modern appearance, it must be said. 

Finally, it is available in Standard and Deluxe trim levels, Fuso says, to help give customers the ability to choose the Rosa that is right for them.

The new-generation Fuso Rosa goes on sale from 1 November, Daimler confirms. 

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SPECS

MAKE: Fuso

MODEL:  Rosa

DIMENSIONS: 22 Seater – 6990mm long, 2070mm wide, 2755mm tall, 3995mm wheelbase; 25 Seater – 7730mm long, 2070mm wide, 2755mm tall, 4550mm wheelbase

ENGINE: 3.0-litre four-cylinder 4P10 Euro 6; Power – 129kW@3500rpm, Torque – 430Nm@1600-2860rpm

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed Duonic dual clutch Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), with manual or automatic modes, or five-speed manual

WARRANTY: 5 years/200,000km

SUSPENSION: Front independent double wishbone with coils, shock absorber and stabiliser and rear leaf with shock absorbers and stabiliser

STEERING: Rack and pinion; Steering wheel – Tilt and scope adjustable

BRAKES: Disc brakes front and rear, exhaust brake

FUEL TANK: 100 litres

WHEELS/TYRES: 205/85R16

MISC.: Service intervals – 15,000km

Photography: courtesy Daimler-Fuso Australia

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