SinoTruck Howo is slowly making its way into the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) sector, particularly in the Nganya scene. The SinoTruck Howo H2 4500 has become the base for its entry into the matatu industry, potentially setting the stage for competition with Isuzu’s NQR81M in future.
Photos shared by Maryanne Mwiti has given us of exterior after full bus body installation, like the NQR also the H2 4500 comes as a frame and cabin setup because to allow to be modified either to be a truck.
Let’s look at its exterior and measurements
The Howo H2 matatu overall length is 8210 mm which includes the wheal base which measures 4500 mm, front overhang measuring 1110 mm and Rear overhang measuring 2,600 mm. Overall height is 3,160, body width 2,322 mm and maximum width or rear width 2,382mm.
More of vehicles Specs
Performance
The H2 4500 feutures a 3.0 L (2,970 cc inline four WP3NQ160AO, Euro 3 Diseal engine which is connected to a WLY6G55 six speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The engine generates up to 160 horsepower at 3,000 RPM and 480 Nm of torque at 1400 to 2300 RPM. Top speed of the SinoTruck Howo H2 4500 is 110km/h.
Fuel Consumption
The H2 matatu features a 120-liter aluminium lockable fuel tank. Its Average Fuel Economy (AFE) is rated at 6.8 km/L, meaning it can travel approximately 6.8 kilometers on one litre of fuel. With a 120-liter fuel tank, the H2 4500 has a theoretical driving range of approximately 816 kilometers on a full tank.
Suspension and payload
The H2 4500 use 11 semi-elliptical leaf springs and shorks plus stabilizer on the front and the rear 9+7 semi-elliptical leaf springs, the setup doesn’t guarantee any confort for a passenger bus because the are generally designed to be used in a commercial trucks, rear passenger may feel heavily launched from the seats when the bus goes over bumps with speed. The H2 4500 payload is 7 to 10 tones which works best on a passenger bus.
Interior
On the blue print posted earlier on by Maryanne, shows that the Sino truck Howo H2 4500 33 seater matatu feutures seating of 33 seats arranged in 2 x 2 layout. Like an Isuzu 33 seater bus, this Howo H2 will have driver cabin seperarated to passenger cabin this gives room for installation of electrical amplify system and sound systems as seen on many matatus or Nganya. The space seats above drivers head and its seperarated by a solid structure that connects upper windshield to to the cabs partition behind the driver. For some buses the partition is included but seperarated by metal rods.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Howo H2 4500 comes equipped with standard practical AM/FM multimedia radio unit which includes standard USB and AUX input. The sino truck also comes with a colorful CCO instrument display that blends between digital and analog cluster.
The instrumental cluster seats behind the steering wheel which allows the driver to view realtime diagnostic feedback. Audio Controls, Bluetooth phone answering or hanging are directly integrated into the truck’s multi-function steering wheel.
The infotainment system can later be customized with aftermarket installation that includes floating smart display touch screen that replaces standard radio unit. The after market system enhance connectivity adding GPS navigation interference, standard Bluetooth hands free connectivity and software that helps in fleet tracking.
Pricing and competitors of the SinoTruck Howo H2 matatu
The SinoTruck Howo H2 4500 with chassis and cabin only starts at approximately 3.3 million. With the added bus body the prices jump to approximately 5 million and above depending on the custom fabrication and dealership package. Howo H2 4500 rival in the 33 seater bus is the Isuzu NQR81M, SinoTruck will need much effort to break through Isuzu’s dominance in Kenya matatu industry and Isuzu’s loyal customers.
Safety and Drivers assistance features
The H2 4500 has Dual-Circuit pneumatic Air Brake which feutures highly responsive full airbrake configuration. Other feutures are Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Engine Auxiliary Brake and Hydraulic Power Steering.
