Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa
Fuso Rosa as a Hong Kong minibus
Overview
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors (1970–2003) MFTBC (since 2003)
Production	1960–present
Body and chassis
Class	Minibus
Body style	Minibus
Related	Mitsubishi Fuso Canter

The Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa (Japanese: 三菱ふそう・ローザ, 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.^[1] 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).

• 
  Second generation 1974 Fuso Rosa
• 
  Second generation 1974 Fuso Rosa rear
• 
  Second generation B21 variant

Third Generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi
Production	1986-1997
Assembly	Japan: Nagoya
Body and chassis
Class	Minibus
Body style	Single-decker minibus
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / four-wheel drive
Floor type	Step entrance
Chassis	SWB/LWB
Powertrain
Engine	Diesel: 3.3 L 4D31 I4 3.3 L 4D31T turbo I4 3.6 L 4D32 I4 4.2 L 4D33 I4 3.9 L 4D34T turbo I4
Capacity	26-29
Transmission	5 speed manual 4 speed automatic
Dimensions
Length	6,200–6,950 mm (244.1–273.6 in)[2]

The third generation Rosa (chassis code BE4 series) was introduced in June 1986 (1986-06) 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 January 1990 (1990-01), the rectangular two-lamp arrangement was standardized across all models.^{[3][circular reference]} Offered in short (6,200 mm (20 ft 4 in)) and long (6,950 mm (22 ft 10 in)) bodies, seating ranged from 26 to 29 depending on interior specification.^[4]

• 1986: BE4 launch (codes P-BE4xx). Short/long bodies; FR layout; 5-speed manual standard.^[5]
• 1987: Introduction of the Royal tourist trim (Sept), featuring reclining headrest seats, curtains, full-length overhead racks with integrated lighting/ducts, ducted roof A/C, ceiling fans, refrigerator, and an optional TV/video pod.^[6]
• 1988: Front grille gains the corporate FUSO emblem (May).^[7]
• 1990: Minor change (MC) with wider grille/headlamp spacing and interior updates; **automatic transmission** added; **4WD** introduced on long body; **independent front suspension** added on upper trims.^{[8][9][circular reference]}
• 1992: Rear air suspension added for select tourist grades (Royal).^{[10][circular reference]}
• 1997: BE4 production ended; replaced by BE6 (fourth generation).^{[11][circular reference]}

Rectangular headlamps, a one-piece windshield and a lower beltline improved forward visibility and modernized styling. Trims included:

• School/Kindergarten (幼児バス仕様): Vinyl bench seats, heater only, folding passenger door, sliding windows, bright exterior colours.
• Standard Shuttle: Cloth/vinyl seats, heater, optional overhead racks, folding or sliding passenger door.
• Deluxe (デラックス): Reclining seats, overhead racks, optional curtains, roof A/C.
• Royal (ロイヤル): (from 1987) Tourist microcoach with reclining headrest seats, curtains, full-length overhead racks with lighting and ducts, ducted roof A/C, ceiling ventilator fans, refrigerator, and optional CRT TV/video pod; exterior brightwork and Royal badging were typical.^[12]

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:

^{[13][circular reference][14]}

A 5-speed manual was standard throughout the BE4 era; an automatic was added after the 1990 MC.^[15] Typical long-body axle ratios were around 4.875:1—a figure also shown in later Rosa specification tables—and 16-inch commercial tyres (205/85R16).^[16]

5-speed manual (typical ratios & speeds with 4.875 axle, 29-inch tyre, 4D31T @ 3,200 rpm)

• Representative period values; exact ratios varied by GVW/market.

4-speed automatic (post-1990, representative)

1st ~2.80, 2nd ~1.55, 3rd 1.00, 4th ~0.71; with a 4.875 axle this yields ~60 mph (97 km/h) at ~3,200 rpm in top gear. (Period AT data are sparse online; values shown are representative of Rosa/Canter applications of the era.)

Operating range, cruise and governor

Peak power occurs at ~3,200 rpm; governor cut is typically ~3,600–3,800 rpm. Best sustained operation is ~2,600–3,000 rpm; comfortable cruise is 50 to 55 mph (80 to 89 km/h) on level roads for 4D31T long-body buses.^[17]

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.^[18][19] Hydraulic service brakes with an exhaust brake were standard; front discs with rear drums were widely used in this era.

• Length: 6,950 mm (22 ft 10 in); Width: 1,990 mm (6 ft 6 in); Height: 2,670 mm (8 ft 9 in)
• Wheelbase: 3,995 mm (13 ft 1.3 in)
• Seating: 26–29
• Curb weight: approx. 3,200 kg (7,100 lb) – 3,300 kg (7,300 lb)
• GVWR: up to 6,600 kg (14,600 lb)

^[20][21]

Operator reports vary with load and route. Period figures for long-body 4D31T buses in mixed shuttle duty typically fall around 6 to 7 km/L (14 to 16 mpg_‑US) (≈14 to 16.5 miles per US gallon (16.8 to 14.3 L/100 km; 16.8 to 19.8 mpg_‑imp)), with fully loaded tourist service and continuous A/C dropping closer to 5.5 km/L (13 mpg_‑US) (≈13 miles per US gallon (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg_‑imp)). (Published factory consumption for 1980s BE4 models is scarce online; values reflect operator/market data and period brochures for comparable Rosa/Canter drivetrains.)^[22]

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.^[23]

• 
  Third generation Left Hand drive in Jordan
• 
  Third generation factory built 4WD
• 
  Third generation factory built 4WD
• 
  Third generation 1986 Fuso Rosa rear

Fourth Generation
2000 Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa with panoramic door
Overview
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
Also called	Bahman Pegasus (Iran)[24]
Production	1997–present
Assembly	Japan: Nagoya (until 2010) Japan: Toyama (since 2010) (Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Company) Egypt: Cairo (Ghabbour Group) Iran: Tehran (Bahman Group) Philippines: Cainta, Rizal (until 2014) Philippines: Santa Rosa, Laguna (since 2015) (MMPC)[citation needed] Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City (Mercedes Benz Vietnam)
Body and chassis
Class	Minibus
Body style	Single-decker minibus
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / four-wheel drive
Floor type	Step entrance
Chassis	SWB/LWB/SLWB
Powertrain
Engine	Diesel: 4.9 L 4M50 turbo intercooler I4 5.2 L 4M51 I4 3.6 L 4D36 I4 4.2 L 4D33-7A I4 3.0 L 4P10 turbo I4
Capacity	16–33
Transmission	6 speed manual 5 speed manual 6 speed automatic Aisin M036A6 6 speed Fuso Duonic 2.0 Dual Clutch Transmission
Dimensions
Length	6,245–7,730 mm (245.9–304.3 in)[25]
Width	2,010 mm (79.1 in)
Height	2,735 mm (107.7 in)
Curb weight	3,805–4,045 kg (8,389–8,918 lb)

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.^[26] 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.

• Short body (6.25 meters in length, 16- or 25-seater)
• Long body (7 meters in length, 16-, 23-, 25- or 28-seater)
• Super long body (7.73 meters in length, 23-, 24-, 29- or 33-seater)
• Kindergarten buses have a seating capacity of up to 39/41 (3x2 seat configuration), rear doors, auto door, automatic transmission.

• 
  Fourth generation 2011 Fuso Rosa
• 
  Fourth generation with dual side doors on Macau
• 
  Fourth generation with new front, first introduced in Japan in 2018, it was also adopted by the new BE7 series Rosa in 2019

• Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation

• Product description in Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa Worldwide website
• Product description in Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa New Zealand website
• Fuso Rosa (Australia)
• Fusa Rosa Inspection Checklist download