Mitsubishi Buses

High Speed, High Performance Buses

In the early 1960s, the Japanese economy was expanding rapidly and great efforts were being made to improve the general infrastructure of the country. In 1961, a five-year plan was adopted by the government to upgrade the road system in Japan, focusing on the construction of a new high-speed highway system. Partly, this was to improve the quality of life of the average person, partly as an economic indication of the country's forward momentum and in part to improve access to the Olympic Games which were to be held in Tokyo in 1964.

Mitsubishi was of course at the forefront of developing high-speed highway buses and in 1962 released the rear-engine, air-suspension, monocoque body, MAR820 and the rear-engine, air-suspension equipped AR820 large-size buses. Both buses were powered by the turbocharged V8, DB diesel engine with a maximum output of 290ps at 2,300rpm. The MAR820 had a top end speed of 134km which made it one of the fastest buses in Japan. 1963 saw the release of the MAR870 bus adopting the 8DB20A engine which developed 220ps at 2,300rpm without turbocharging. Together, these buses opened the door for Mitsubishi's foray into the emerging high-speed touring bus market.

In 1964, the MR620 medium-size bus adopting a monocoque body was introduced. Its 110ps diesel engine and chassis were based on a 4 ton truck. Accommodating 52 passengers, the MR620 had a comparable passenger capacity of that of large-size, bonnet -type buses of yesteryears with the advantage a medium-size bus maneuverability for enhanced inner-city applications.

In 1966, the smaller, lighter weight DC diesel engine series was developed. It was adopted in the B900 bus series the following year when the B800 bus series underwent a major model change. The B900 was powered by the 8DC, V8 engine which developed 265ps. Boasting enhanced safety features and ease of operation, the B900 adopted a longer wheelbase for upgraded running stability and riding comfort. In 1968, the B906R was introduced featuring the new 20 liter, V12, 12DC2 engine which produced an awesome 350ps. The media took note of the B906R with its top end speed of 140km/h, the fastest large-size bus in Japan.