The Hino Profia is Hino’s heavy cab-over truck and, in most export markets, the 700 Series. The name appeared in May 1992 as a sub-name of the Super Dolphin, and after the full model change of October 2003 it became the truck’s only name.
Hino Profia at a glance
| Maker | Hino Motors, a Toyota subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Production | 1992–present as Profia |
| Earlier name | Super Dolphin Profia, 1992–2003 |
| Export name | Hino 700 Series |
| Generations | 1992, 2003 and 2017 |
| Rigid model codes | FN, FP, FR, FS, FW |
| Tractor model codes | SH, SS |
| Emission system | AIR LOOP (DPR with urea SCR) from 2010 |
| Hybrid | from 2019, with the COOL Hybrid refrigerator version |
| Fuel cell | Profia Z FCV in demonstration service from May 2023 |
| Rivals in Japan | Isuzu Giga, Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great, UD Quon |
History of the Hino Profia
Super Dolphin Profia (1992–2003)
The truck arrived in May 1992 as the model change of the Super Dolphin and is counted as its second generation. Styling followed the Cruising Ranger, and the headlamps, door windows and indicators were shared with it. The cabin was smoothed over completely, and the early cars had a grille with three holes between the headlamps, echoing the late ZM series. Engines were the V8 F20C, F21C and F17D and the straight-six P11C, K13C and K13D. One-key engine operation was standard, and power windows with sliding panes were fitted. A semi-tractor joined the range in August 1992 with the large trailer grille on its front lid. The 1994 update brought the L series at 22 and 25 tonnes and a new HINO emblem, the 1998 update made ABS, driver airbag and discharge headlamps standard all round and gave the 22- and 25-tonne models the sub-name Teravie, and the 2000 facelift brought the two-stage grille and a bumper with an air dam.
Profia (2003–2017)
The October 2003 full model change, the first in eleven and a half years, dropped the Super Dolphin name. Every model including the tractors now used a turbocharged straight-six with an intercooler, and cars with the optional DPR filter qualified for the 85 per cent reduction level of Japan’s low-PM diesel certification. The pedals changed from organ type to the hanging type used in cars. In January 2006 the Profia gained the world’s first collision-reducing brake for heavy trucks, and in April 2010 it adopted AIR LOOP, combining DPR with urea SCR, along with standard collision-reducing brakes, lane departure warning, VSC and a kerb mirror.
Design and features
- Cab-over heavy: rigid models from 4×2 to 8×4, plus semi-tractors with a distinct trailer grille.
- AIR LOOP: DPR particulate filter with urea SCR, introduced in 2010.
- Safety: an early collision-reducing brake, standard VSC and driver monitoring on later versions.
- Electrification: a hybrid of 2019 with a refrigerator variant, and the Profia Z FCV fuel-cell truck.
Hino Profia versions
- Profia rigid: cargo, dump, mixer and tanker chassis on FN, FP, FR, FS and FW codes.
- Profia tractor: SH and SS semi-tractor units, redesigned in 2018.
- Teravie: the 22- and 25-tonne GVW models of 1998–2003.
- Profia Hybrid and COOL Hybrid (2019): hybrid tractive unit and refrigerator version.
- Profia Z FCV (2023): fuel-cell truck tested by Japanese hauliers.
The Profia succeeded the Super Dolphin and shares its cab philosophy with the medium Hino Ranger. All models are in the Hino collection.
Video: Por fora do Hino Profia modelo 2541
Video by Dário Bessho on YouTube.
Sources
- Hino Profia, English Wikipedia: model history, engines, model codes
- 日野・プロフィア, Japanese Wikipedia: updates, safety equipment, hybrid and fuel cell
