MITSUBISHI CANTER： Which Version Do You Like for Used Car?

First Generation T720 Model (1963 - 1968)

The first generation MITSUBISHI CANTER went on sale in March 1963 as a 2-ton class truck.

It carried a four-cylinder 1,986cc displacement 4DQ11A type diesel engine with 68 horsepower.

For the transmission, a syncromesh type with 4-forward 1-reverse manual mission was installed.

In 1964, minor changes were implemented, leading to the installment of 4 round lamps instead of 2 round lamps.

As for the body variation, in the beginning, there was the T720U model with a low-floor load bed and the T720H model with a high-floor load bed, but later, the T720D dump truck model and the T722 model with a long-body load bed were added. The standard body size was as follows: total weight of 3,685 kilograms, and the length/width/height of 4,665mm/1,695mm/1,990mm.

Second Generation T90 Model (1968 - 1973)

In 1968, the second generation T90 model was introduced. For this model, the body variation was expanded, and the loading capacity was also increased. Though the same 4 round lamps were used for the headlights, their location was shifted to a lower position.

The following engines were added: KE42 type 2,000cc displacement 90 horsepower; KE47 type 2,315cc displacement 95 horsepower gasoline engine; 4DR1 type 2,400cc displacement 75 horsepower diesel engine. In 1970, the diesel engine was replaced by a 2,659cc displacement 80 horsepower 4DR5 type.

In 1970, another round of minor changes was implemented. The design of the front grille was changed to one with three partitions, known as the V grille, and the engines for gasoline-run trucks were replaced by new generation ones. In terms of the body variation as well, the 2.5-ton diesel vehicle and 3-ton gasoline vehicle were added. For the interior, seatbelts and headrests were added to improve safety, and heaters were installed to improve comfort.

Third Generation T200 Model (1973 - 1978)

In 1973, the T200 model was introduced. This model, also known as the V CANTER, gained popularity through the abundance of body variations.

In 1975, to adhere to the 1975 Emission Regulations, the engine was changed to a newer 1,995cc displacement 115 horsepower gasoline engine.

Fourth Generation FE 1, 2 Model (1978 - 1985)

The fourth generation, introduced in 1978, saw the introduction of the wide cab vehicle with a cab width of 1,995mm, marking a focus on improved comfort for mid-sized trucks.

For the engine as well, the 4D30 type 3,298cc displacement 90 horsepower diesel engine was added. Moreover, to combine with this engine, the full-scale 3-ton loading vehicle was added to the lineup.

In 1980, the 1.5-ton and 3.5-ton wide vehicles were added to the lineup, leading to the availability of 28 variations. At the same time, the 2-ton super low-floor double cab vehicle went on sale, with a riding capacity of 6 people and maximum load capacity of 1.75 tons, leading to a vehicle that allowed the transport of large quantities of both cargo and personnel.

In 1982, further improvements were made on the diesel engine. The newly installed turbocharged direct injection 4D31 type engine boasted 3,298cc displacement and 100 horsepower.

Fifth Generation FE 3, 4 Model (1985 - 1993)

In October 1985, another model change led to the introduction of the fifth generation model. In terms of the exterior, two rectangular lamps were installed for the headlight. Additionally, as the design was made more modern, an air resistance coefficient of 0.51 CD was realized. As a result, fuel consumption was improved by 2-5%.

The wide cab interior resulted in head clearance increasing by 50mm. An instrument panel more appropriate for a passenger vehicle was installed, marking a shift from the previous commercial vehicle design.

Another transition was made in regards to the engine; the 4D31 type engine that was used up to this point was replaced by the 4D32 type diesel engine, with 3,567cc displacement and 110 horsepower.

The turbo truck was set up for the standard cab, and the vehicle variations for the automatic truck were also expanded. For specially-equipped, custom-designed trucks, more were added to the lineup, including installments of a van-specific chassis, concrete mixer trucks, garbage trucks, for a total of 117 variations.

Sixth Generation FE 5, 6 Model (1993 - 2002)

In November 1993, the sixth generation model went on sale. Aiming for further improvements in aerodynamic characteristics, the round-cubic cab was installed. For some variants, projector-type headlights were installed on the low beam. Additionally, the outer door handles were changed to a vertical flap design.

For the engine as well, the newly developed high-performing naturally aspirated direct injection engine with 140 horsepower was released; in addition, with options ranging from the 3,600cc displacement gasoline engine to the 5,240cc displacement diesel engine, and with the added choice of CNG and LPG, the lineup became more varied and broad.

Additionally, the newly developed liquid-filled cab suspension was employed, as well as front wheel independent suspension, improving comfort.

In October 1997, further minor changes were made. Improvements were made on the safety features, including the installment of shock-absorption steering, curved side mirrors, and side door beam. Additionally, the 4,899cc displacement four-cylinder direct infusion DOHC16 type bulb diesel engine was installed on certain grades.

Seventh Generation FE 7, 8 Model (2002 - 2011)

In June 2002, the CANTER was remodeled once again into the seventh generation model. In July of the same year, the 4WD was added to the lineup. As for the exterior, the headlamps were redesigned into large-sized lamps shaped like slanted eyes, turned up at the corners. Moreover, for the cab overtruck, a new development was the use of the instrument panel shift.

A distinctive feature of the engine was the installment of the parallel diesel hybrid system for the CANTER Hybrid, which was added to the lineup in July 2006. With this engine, starting and running the car using only the motor was made possible. For the battery, before any other car company, the lithium-ion battery was used. The engines carried were the 3,000cc displacement 4M42 type diesel engine and the DOHC16 bulb type common rail direct infusion diesel turbo engine.

A 5-speed manual transmission equipped with a Bosch-manufactured speed-changing unit was used. As a result, environmental performance was greatly improved.

In April 2009, minor changes were made that resulted in the installment of an immobilizer system. Furthermore, the eco-hybrid lineup was greatly expanded.

Eighth Generation FBA/FEA, B, C Model (2010 - )

In November 2010, the CANTER was remodeled to its current eighth generation model. Changes were made to greatly improve environmental performance and safety, as well as to make it more economical. To adhere to the 2010 Post New Long-Term Emission Regulations, the engine was also greatly improved to realize clean gas emission. As for the body variations, for the cab, the wide cab (2,040 - 2,220mm) and standard cab (1,695 - 1,930mm) were added to the lineup, though dependent on the customization of the truck.

In order to further enhance low fuel consumption and environmental performance, the 2,998cc displacement direct infusion four-cylinder intercooler turbo 130 horsepower (2-ton truck)/150 horsepower (3-ton truck)/175 horsepower (3.5-ton truck) 4P10 type diesel engine was combined with the “BlueTec® System” (controlled regeneration DPF + urea SCR).

For the transmission, the dual-clutch transmission “DUONICTM” was employed. Accordingly, “INOMATH-II” that was used in previous generations was discontinued, and for manual transmission as well, only 5-speed was made available.

The CANTER has evolved in terms of safety features as well. The “brake override system” was installed, which is a safety feature that detects when both the gas and brake pedals are being pushed down simultaneously and prioritizes the brake pedal.

Disk brakes, such as ABD and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution system), became standard installments. Moreover, “Front Under-run Protection” was also installed to prevent passenger cars from becoming wedged under the truck’s front in a frontal collision.