Isuzu has a problem. A very big problem. And it all has to do with their MY25 all-new truck model range which will be on display at the Brisbane Truck Show from May 15-18.
It will then be released in stages later this year – the heavy-duty range in June and the light-duty in November.
Big Rigs was the first media in Australia to not only view some of these trucks, but also to hop behind the wheel of three of the range for a short test drive around the streets of western Melbourne to get a feel for, and to experience the advances over the previous models.
It has been 17 years since Isuzu came to the party with an all-new product line and over that time they have maintained their number one status as Australia’s best-selling truck manufacturer, which has to date extended to over twice that, at 36 years – a remarkable achievement.
Whilst the company has made incremental changes to the product range over its lifespan, facts are that they have fallen behind the competition in a few areas and have had to rely on their (well-earned) ‘Reliability is Everything’ moniker to maintain their market share.
No more.
This new range of trucks puts Isuzu at the top of the tree, either equalling or surpassing the competition in just about every area.
There is so much to unpack with these the MY25 models that we’ll be lucky to fit it all in here, but we’ll try.
The NRL Traypack boasts Advanced Emergency Braking.At this preview were five models and we drove the NNR 45-150 Vanpack and NLR 45-150 Traypack, both with 150hp (110kW) and 375NM, along with the FRD 110-240 AM in Pantech guise with 240hp (177kW) and 765Nm.
These are but three of a model range that extends to 15 FV, 19 FR, and 153 N Series variants (of which 45 per cent are car licence models), with ‘ready to work’ to be added, so there will be a truck to suit every Isuzu aficionado’s dream.
There is no doubt, other model designations that I’ve forgotten, so good luck choosing your poison!
These trucks are new from their booties (wider tyres) to their top hats. On the outside is a new grill design with the Isuzu logo incorporated in it, which leaves the space up to the windscreen free for customers’ logos.
The headlights are Bi-LED – as is every globe, both inside and out – with signature daytime running lights and tail lamps that will designate an Isuzu as surely as those on a Volvo do. Turn the steering and side LEDS will light up around corners.
On upper models the headlights will auto dip for oncoming traffic but keep the left-hand side on high beam so you can see the verge, stray kangaroo or pedestrian. Until recently we’ve only seen this on high end cars.
The wipers are rain activated, and the mirrors are electrically adjusted and heated with their placement easy to see around – and over with a slight stretch. No blind spots here.
The headlights are Bi-LED – as is every globe, both inside and out.The bumper is now three-piece so minor scrapes will be cheaper to repair. What we can’t see are the standard Unit Type Hub Bearings which are lower maintenance, as well as the new engines, gearboxes and suspensions.
The trucks now have a proximity key to enter automatically. It only works when you’re close to the truck, so no chance of a would-be thief jumping in front of you to steal your pride and joy.
Even if they got into the truck first, they’re going nowhere because the key needs to be in the cabin for the thing to start. If it’s you in the cab, just leave the key in your pocket, twist the nob placed where once a key would be inserted, and you’re away.
Once inside and we have a new interior featuring an easy-to-read digital cluster, auto climate control (with rear air-con in crew cabs), smaller steering wheel with controls and an electric park brake that activates automatically when you put it in park or undo your seatbelt – rollaways are a thing of the past.
There’s a new driving position and the door cards gain pockets, just big enough to place your order book. Just. LED spotlights and a large central LED down light will give you daytime conditions at night to find whatever you’ve dropped on the floor.
The 10.1-inch multimedia screen has been vastly updated with up to four cameras available.
There’s Android Auto, Apple Car Play and truck-specific navigation which is designed to program in your vehicle dimensions, weight, height, et cetera to ensure your route doesn’t take you somewhere should you shouldn’t be going, like under Melbourne’s infamous Montague Bridge.
There are up to four cameras. There is a standard reverse camera on all products.
There’s an Intersection Warning System with small LEDs on the A-pillars hooked to cameras and/or radar to warn of pedestrians or vehicles crossing, or anything else you’re likely to hit.
If you’re not paying attention, auto emergency braking will take over.
The windscreen is all-new glass with 99 per cent UV and up to 59 per cent IR protection.
Side and rear glass is close to these figures. The results will be cooler cabs, less load on the AC and, most importantly your health. Skin cancers are a real worry for truckies.
There are more safety acronyms than we could possibly cover here, but the bottom line is that every model in the range goes far, far beyond what is required for mandatory Australian Design Rules (ADRs).
Now it’s time to go for a spin and see if the company ‘spin’ that we’ve listened to for an hour is all it cracked up to be.
First up is the NNR Vanpack. First and foremost are the new seats. Just wow! Comfortable, cosseting, great support under, behind and around, my bum-o-meter tells me that these are possibly the best base-spec seats I’ve experienced – and we haven’t moved yet. The consequent drive only confirms this.
This truck is powered by a 150hp/375Nm four-pot and behind it sits Isuzu’s brand new nine-speed Dual Clutch AMT gearbox which is fitted to all 4JZ1 engines putting out 150-175hp – unheard of in a truck of this size. Indeed, only Ford’s Ranger outdoes it, and that by only one cog.
Moving off and I’m reminded of a few years back, driving the brand and being impressed by the power and torque curves being so well matched with the gearbox.
Well, this is light years ahead. The dual clutch transmission preselects the next gear before you’re out of the first one and you’re moving from gear to gear instantaneously with no loss in torque.
Indeed, you have to listen closely in what is a very quiet, well-insulated cabin to even hear the changes, and you literally don’t feel them at all. This what it’s all about.
Kick down is instantaneous. Gone are the days of delays. We are talking about trucks which will haul a fair bit of weight so the gearbox development – moving from six to nine-speed – has been massive to handle the tasks required of it. This ‘box’ is a game-changer. By-the-by, it will also reduce fuel consumption.
The engine revs freely and in conjunction with the nine-speed, this 50 per cent loaded truck jumps off the line, keeping up with all and sundry on the open road. Isuzu have long resisted the adoption of AdBlue but ADRs have reached the point where there was no choice.
Don’t be too disappointed long-time Isuzu owners. Rather, think of how long you’ve been able to avoid using the stuff.
On the bright side, Isuzu are fitting quite big AdBlue tanks, so topping up will be relatively infrequent.
The smaller steering wheel is now electrically power-assisted meaning easy manoeuvring at low speeds and weighting up on the road.
Great to hold, it suppresses feedback without feeling removed from what is happening beneath you.
The truck sits on front coil/rear taper leaf suspension, plus shock absorbers which works a treat, smoothing out the crappy surfaces we are all used to.
The multi-information dashboard is very legible, the next-gen detection system showing how far away the vehicle in front is and how fast it is travelling.
In this particular product, the system employs a stereo camera system which is unique to Isuzu.
The camera is on the dash at the base of the windscreen rather than on the windscreen at the top, which has a serious advantage, in that that if you break your screen, you’re going to be up for probably hundreds rather than thousands of dollars which is the case with a lot of passenger cars using the technology today.
Big Rigs hopped behind the wheel of three of the range for a short test drive around the streets of western Melbourne.The detection area of this system has increased from 60-120 degrees, meaning it’ll see pedestrians you may have missed.
There is so much more to the safety systems in these trucks that it is impossible to cover them all here, but one that stands out is the Mis-Acceleration Mitigation System.
Here, if you press the go-fast pedal instead of the brake and there’s something in front of you, the truck overrides your wrong footing, only moving forward at 10km/h – and of course stopping if need be.
Next up I’m in the NRL Traypack. Same drive train and features but with tapered leaf suspension all round. It’s hard to tell the difference.
Ash, my Isuzu companion, invites me to try out the Advanced Emergency Braking as we careen towards a bunch of cars at the traffic lights.
All I can think of is that these trucks are so new the paint has hardly dried, there are only a handful in the country and that this truck will be needed at the Brissie Truck Show.
Worrying about Murphy’s possible presence I politely decline. Maybe another day. So, I hit the brakes.
Finally, I’m in the bigger FRD 110 240 – the smallest of the F Series with 240hp/765Nm from its 5.2-litre, four-cylinder engine, coupled with a six-speed AMT trannie.
I test the cruise control, and the truck does it all – speed up, slow down and stop with traffic, moving off when those in front do.
Isuzu’s Jeff Gibson drove this truck from Sydney to Brisbane without touching anything other than the steering wheel!
On the open road this and the other trucks read speed signs. If you wish to obey them (a smart move) simply press ‘resume’ on the cruise control and it will comply. Good stuff!
Of particular note is the top-of-the-line Isri seat. Designated 6860 875 NTS2, the bloody thing is more confusing than Isuzu’s product range titles, but man, is it good! Integrated seatbelt, two-piece back, shoulder adjustment and three levels of heating and cooling, this is a wonderful fatigue mitigator.
The MY25 Isuzus are top of the tree in design and safety with a range to satisfy anyone, even those who may want a manual – although they will only be produced to order so you may have a bit of a wait.
Pricing was not discussed but I’m predicting a substantial rise over the current models, given the huge leap in technology.
Will that hurt the brand at all? I doubt it. Isuzu owners are rusted onto the brand, and they’ll be getting a heap of improvements in every sphere for those extra dollars.
Isuzu has been number one in the market for 36 years – pretty well since I was a gleam in my mother’s eye – and with MY25 they will surely continue to dominate the market.
If you can, get to the Brisbane Truck Show from May 15-18 and check them out rather than wait until they appear at your dealership.
So, why does Isuzu have a problem?
I doubt that they will be able to meet the demand these new trucks will create.
A very high-class problem indeed.
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