Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa: Japan’s long-running minibus

The Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa is a Japanese minibus based on the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, built by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. It was launched in 1960 and is now in its fifth generation, known as the BE7, competing with the Isuzu Journey, Nissan Civilian, Mazda Parkway and Toyota Coaster.

Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa at a glance

Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa.

History of the Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa

From the Jupiter truck

The Rosa was launched in 1960 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and was then called the Mitsubishi Rosa. The factory code was B10 and the bus was developed from the chassis of the original Mitsubishi Jupiter T10 truck. Its body was similar to the Mercedes-Benz O 319 minibus and about 5.4 metres long. In 1961 the B20 extended the design to between 6.25 and 7 metres. In 1964 three companies merged into a new Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and in 1966 the Rosa became a Mitsubishi Fuso product, replacing the Fuso MB720 minibus.

Second generation

The second generation arrived in 1973. It was similar to the first, but the front was largely redesigned and many components could be shared with Mitsubishi trucks. It began with the BC2 short-wheelbase petrol version, the BE2 short-wheelbase diesel and the BH2 long-wheelbase diesel, and in 1981 the BK2 series added a long-wheelbase version 2.3 metres wide.

The BE4

The third generation, the BE4 series, was introduced in June 1986 as a full model change over the BE3 Pretty Rosa. It adopted a modern cab-forward profile with a panoramic windscreen, a lower beltline and rectangular twin headlamps on upper trims, which became standard across the range after a minor change in January 1990. Short bodies measured 6,200 mm and long ones 6,950 mm, with seating for 26 to 29 depending on the interior.

The BE4 was offered in several trims. The school and kindergarten version had vinyl bench seats, a heater only, a folding passenger door and sliding windows. The Standard Shuttle added cloth or vinyl seats and optional overhead racks. The Deluxe had reclining seats, roof air conditioning and optional curtains. From September 1987 the Royal tourist trim offered reclining headrest seats, curtains, full-length overhead racks with lighting and ducts, ducted roof air conditioning, ceiling fans, a refrigerator and an optional television and video unit.

All BE4 models used Mitsubishi’s 4D3-series inline-four diesels with gear-driven timing rather than a belt. A five-speed manual was standard, an automatic was added after the 1990 change, four-wheel drive appeared on the long body, independent front suspension was fitted to upper trims, and in 1992 some tourist models gained rear air suspension. A long-body P-BE434F of about 1989 measured 6,950 mm long, 1,990 mm wide and 2,670 mm high on a 3,995 mm wheelbase, weighed around 3,200 to 3,300 kg and had a gross weight of up to 6,600 kg.

The fourth generation, the BE6, replaced the BE4 in 1997 and the fifth-generation BE7 is the current bus, sold in Japan, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Jamaica and South America.

Design and features

• Canter base: built on the chassis of Mitsubishi’s light truck.
• Since 1960: one of the longest-running Japanese minibuses.
• Tourist trims: the Royal with reclining seats, fridge and video.
• School buses: simple vinyl-trimmed versions for kindergartens.
• Five generations: the current BE7 continues the line.

Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa versions

• B10 and B20 (1960–1961): the first Rosa, from the Jupiter truck.
• Second generation (1973): BC2, BE2, BH2 and later BK2.
• BE4 (1986): third generation with short and long bodies.
• Royal: tourist trim from 1987.
• BE6 (1997) and BE7: fourth and fifth generations.

The Rosa is built on the Canter and belongs to the commercial range of Mitsubishi Fuso, alongside the Fighter truck. More vehicles are in the Mitsubishi collection.

Sources

• Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa, English Wikipedia: generations, trims, dimensions, engines