The Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa (, or simply Mitsubishi Rosa) is a Japanese minibus based on the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. The Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa was launched in 1960 and is now in its fifth generation, known as the BE7. In Japan, Asia-Pacific, Mid-East, Africa, Jamaica and South America, its principal competitors are the Isuzu Journey, Nissan Civilian, Mazda Parkway and Toyota Coaster.
The Mitsubishi Rosa was launched in 1960 by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (formerly China-Japan Heavy Industries) and was called Mitsubishi Rosa. In 1964, three companies merged with the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to become a new Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the Mitsubishi Rosa became a Mitsubishi Fuso product to replace the Fuso MB720 minibus in 1966.
Mitsubishi officially launched the Rosa minibus in 1960. At that time, the factory was coded as B10 and developed from the chassis of the original Mitsubishi Jupiter T10 truck. Its body style is similar to the Mercedes-Benz O 319 minibus, with a length of approximately 5.4 meters.
In the following year (1961), Mitsubishi evolved to B20 on the basis of B10, which is an extended version of B10, which ranges from 6.25 to 7 meters in length.
In 1973 Mitsubishi released the second generation, which is similar as the first generation, the main difference is the design of the front has been largely revised, and a large number of components can be shared with the Mitsubishi trucks. In the beginning, there was BC2 (short-range gasoline version), BE2 (short-range diesel version) and BH2 (long-range diesel version). In 1981, the BK2 series was introduced (long-range version with a width of 2.3 meters).
The third generation Rosa (chassis code BE4 series) was introduced in as a full model change over the BE3 "Pretty Rosa". The BE4 adopted a more modern cab-forward profile with a panoramic windshield, a lower beltline, and factory-standard rectangular twin headlamps on upper trims; following a minor change in , the rectangular two-lamp arrangement was standardized across all models. Offered in short () and long () bodies, seating ranged from 26 to 29 depending on interior specification.
Rectangular headlamps, a one-piece windshield and a lower beltline improved forward visibility and modernized styling. Trims included:
All BE4 models used Mitsubishi's 4D3-series inline-four diesels with gear-driven timing (no timing belt). Rated outputs (period figures) are shown in PS and SAE hp, with torque in lb÷ft:
A 5-speed manual was standard throughout the BE4 era; an automatic was added after the 1990 MC. Typical long-body axle ratios were around 4.875:1âÂÂa figure also shown in later Rosa specification tablesâÂÂand 16-inch commercial tyres (205/85R16).
Pre-MC BE4 models used leaf springs front and rear. After the 1990 MC, upper trims adopted independent front suspension; 4WD appeared on long-body models; in 1992, some tourist models gained rear air suspension. Hydraulic service brakes with an exhaust brake were standard; front discs with rear drums were widely used in this era.
Operator reports vary with load and route. Period figures for long-body 4D31T buses in mixed shuttle duty typically fall around (âÂÂ), with fully loaded tourist service and continuous A/C dropping closer to (âÂÂ). (Published factory consumption for 1980s BE4 models is scarce online; values reflect operator/market data and period brochures for comparable Rosa/Canter drivetrains.)
Age-related items reported by fleets and operators include overheating damage from neglected cooling systems (especially on turbo engines), oil leaks at rocker cover and crank seals, vacuum pump O-ring seepage, rear main seal contamination of the clutch, glow-system faults, wear in suspension and steering (bushings, kingpins, steering box), corrosion at stepwells/lower panels/roof seams, and shrinking window rubbers allowing water ingress. Original R12 A/C systems typically require conversion to R134a with new hoses and seals.
The fourth generation (BE6 series) is an improved version of the third generation. The design of the body of the car was greatly modified, and the distance between the front axle and the door was considerably reduced. In addition, the taillights are round, different from the second and third generation. There are both Automatic and Manual models available. In 1998, a super long body was added to the line-up, bringing the maximum capacity of all the vehicle to 34 people. In 2002, natural gas engine were offered to the Mitsubishi Rosa. Transmac in Macau was supplied with a dual-door version.