Hino Melpha Adds Six-Speed AT and New Safety System

Hino Melpha Receives Automatic Transmission Upgrade

Hino Motors, Ltd. announced on September 7 that the Hino Melpha medium-duty sightseeing bus received a partial upgrade and was released the same day. The updated model replaces its previous automated manual transmission with an automatic transmission, reducing the driving burden for operators. The change also targets improved passenger comfort. The bus now uses a six-speed automatic transmission with a creep function. The transmission is supplied by U.S.-based Allison Transmission Inc, which has established experience supplying transmissions for Hino’s medium-duty trucks, and it has been specially tuned for bus applications.

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Replaces AMT

The transmission change is the central technical update to the partially upgraded sightseeing bus. Instead of the previously used automated manual transmission, the vehicle is equipped only with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring a creep function. This configuration is intended to make operation easier for drivers while supporting smoother vehicle behavior in passenger-service conditions. Allison Transmission Inc. developed the transmission with a specific tuning approach for buses, building on its proven track record in Hino’s medium-duty truck applications. The drivetrain therefore retains the established engine while receiving a different transmission setup tailored to the bus.

Engine and Fuel Efficiency Measures Continue

The upgraded bus continues to use the A05C engine, which has a displacement of 5,123 cc, maintaining the same engine specification as before. Hino has also made an idling-stop system standard equipment on the partially upgraded model. In addition, the bus adopts tires designed with reduced rolling resistance. These changes are intended to improve fuel efficiency without changing the stated engine displacement. The combination of the existing A05C power unit, standard idling-stop functionality, and lower rolling resistance tires adds efficiency-focused equipment to the updated vehicle while retaining the core engine configuration used by the previous model.

New Door-Linked Neutral System Adds Safety

The vehicle also receives a newly adopted door-linked neutral system as a safety feature. When the passenger door is opened, the system shifts the transmission into neutral. This operation is designed to prevent accidents caused by unintended acceleration while passengers are entering or exiting the bus. The safety function connects passenger-door status directly with transmission behavior, adding a specific safeguard for situations in which the door is open. Alongside the automatic transmission upgrade, the new system addresses vehicle operation and passenger safety while preserving the existing A05C engine configuration and the bus’s medium-duty sightseeing role.

Improved Driver and Passenger Experience

The transmission upgrade is intended to address both driver workload and passenger comfort. Replacing the automated manual transmission with a six-speed automatic transmission removes the need for the AMT operating characteristics previously associated with the model. The addition of a creep function further supports controlled low-speed movement, which is particularly relevant to a sightseeing bus carrying passengers. Hino’s changes therefore extend beyond a transmission replacement alone, combining the specially tuned automatic unit with safety and efficiency equipment. The updated model continues Hino’s medium-duty bus offering while introducing equipment intended to make everyday operation more convenient and comfortable.

Updated Melpha Specifications and Equipment

The main changes to the partially upgraded bus can be summarized through its transmission, engine, efficiency, and safety equipment. The core engine remains the A05C with a 5,123 cc displacement, while the previous AMT has been replaced by a six-speed automatic transmission with a creep function. The transmission comes from U.S.-based Allison Transmission Inc and has been specially tuned for buses. Standard idling-stop functionality and reduced-rolling-resistance tires address fuel efficiency, while the new door-linked neutral system adds protection against unintended acceleration when the passenger door is open.

Production Update and Market Context

The release announced by Hino Motors, Ltd. on September 7 represents a targeted equipment upgrade rather than a complete redesign of the medium-duty sightseeing bus. The model retains its A05C engine while receiving a new automatic transmission configuration, efficiency measures, and an additional safety function. Because the transmission is based on Allison’s established experience with Hino medium-duty trucks, the update also builds on an existing supplier relationship and technical track record. The changes are focused on practical operating improvements for drivers and passengers while maintaining the vehicle’s existing medium-duty sightseeing-bus foundation.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The update highlights the continued importance of automatic transmissions, fuel-efficiency equipment, and integrated safety functions in the medium-duty bus segment. For operators in Japan, reducing driver workload and improving passenger comfort can be particularly relevant to everyday sightseeing-bus operations, while the door-linked neutral system adds a direct safeguard against unintended acceleration. The use of a specially tuned Allison transmission also demonstrates how established commercial-vehicle components can be adapted for passenger applications. The practical significance of the update will depend on how these operating, efficiency, comfort, and safety improvements perform in service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What transmission does the upgraded Melpha use?
The upgraded Melpha uses a six-speed automatic transmission with a creep function instead of the previous automated manual transmission. The unit is supplied by U.S.-based Allison Transmission Inc. and has been specially tuned for bus applications. The change is intended to reduce the driving burden on operators and improve passenger comfort. The bus retains its A05C engine with a displacement of 5,123 cc, while an idling-stop system becomes standard equipment and reduced-rolling-resistance tires are added to support fuel efficiency. A new door-linked neutral system also shifts the transmission into neutral when the passenger door opens, helping prevent unintended acceleration.