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In fleet uses, heavy-duty trucks with turbo, inter-cooled engines are popular in Japan. These trucks usually experience congested traffic and/or frequent road grade change in expressways. As a result, frequent vehicle speed and engine load fluctuations are observed. This paper describes the typical, on road driving data from the field and presents one sample of engine control optimization for better fuel economy in actual road conditions.

Every year the trucking industry demands lighter weight and lower cost truck components. But it is very difficult to achieve both these targets. This paper describes the example of a suspension system design which was conducted by computer simulation, so called CAE. The computer simulation by FEM was used completely to decide the detailed shape of each part. This paper also introduces a casting method to strengthen the aluminum alloy cast using high pressure during casting. By using this method, products have a precise metallographic structure. As a result, both the development cost and period were reduced by over the half the time required of the current system and lighter and strong parts were created.

Recently engin output and vehicle speed are much improved and there received much requests for better brake system with high performance and safety. In order to meet these reguests research work was initiated to develop new retavder system as auxiliary brake, and new compact & light weight retarder without requiring electricity consumption was successfully developed by using very strong parmanent magnet of Nd-Fe-B base for the first time in the world. This new retarder was marketed in the last January for the heavy duty truck followed medium duty tyuck in this April. This new retarder well matched with market needs has been highly commented upon beyond engineer expectation, and it is believed that this new system will be popularized very rapidly in Japan.

The P’UP has been on the markets worldwide since 1972, both in Japan and overseas, including for the U.S., in which case, with model designation as the Chevrolet LUV. In 1980, for the first time since its market introduction, it was fully remodelled with detail improvements reflected thereon in every aspect. This new model continues to be on the U.S. market as the Chevrolet LUV as it has been, but, beginning from spring of 1981, the similar model has been introduced to the market by the American Isuzu Motors Inc. (AIM) as the Isuzu P’UP. Taking this opportunity, a diesel version has been added to its model lineup. The diesel engine mounted on this version features its 20 to 30% better fuel efficiency over its gasoline counterpart. In the first half of this paper, the engineering concepts of its full remodelling and their onvehicle reflection will be introduced.