Isuzu Trucks are Euro Clean

Queensland Country Life - by Malcolm McCosker

Queensland Country Life
13th January 2011

SOMEHOW, the happy, carefree trucking image of Smokey and the Bandit didn't seem to jell.

We were winding our way through hauntingly beautiful Gold Coast hinterland country, seated in a spacious and comfortable Isuzu truck cabin, with a large steel tray at the back loaded down with a 10-tonne block of concrete and the powerful throb of the engine somewhere down in the bowels of the machine.

The tightly chained concrete block made its presence felt at each corner and each steep hill climb, insisting that the truck had to be driven with intelligent gear and power selection, not just steered, as is the more relaxed requirement of a motoring journalist handling cars, 4WDs and light commercials.

Because my more humble driving licence cuts out at about 2.5 tonnes, a far more experienced truck driver was at the wheel. But still there were nagging sensations of weight, the subtle body roll under heavy load, the need to add fresh firepower to lift the truck over another steep hill, or think a lot earlier about braking when a stop sign looms ahead.

By the end of the day and numerous changes of road freight vehicles, my enthrallment with the magnificent Isuzu light and medium duty truck range had grown to almost obsessive proportions and provoked niggling desire for a licence upgrade to skipper the bigger rigs.

A cold shower and shake of the head later dispersed my trucker ambitions, but the admiration for Isuzu trucks' achievements remains as strong as ever.

During a special launch last October, Isuzu revealed compelling reasons why it has remained clear leader of its light to medium market segment since 1989.

This time, there were fresh surprises galore, fresh being the operative word as strong emphasis settled on how far Isuzu has progressed with environmentally friendly Euro V-rated trucks - the brand's cleanest ever.

Part of the technology to achieve this is a particulate filter that has been fitted to all Isuzu N and F Series models since 2007.

We'll spare readers the head spinning details of all the new model names, series numbers, engine power output and new clean technology, but will cut to the chase of just how Isuzu has advanced the cause and effect of clean, green driving while continuing the necessity of freight carriage to keep the nation's business heart pumping.

Included in the launch were the new Euro V-rated N Series models, with a number of cabin comfort and safety enhancements to complement their improved emission performance.

Powering the new range are three Euro V-rated diesel engines, beginning with a 4-cylinder, 3-litre delivering 110kW of power and 375Nm of torque.

Offering more power is a 4-cylinder, 5.2 litre engine that peaks at 114kW and 419 Nm torque. Top of the trio is another 4-cylinder engine, also with 5.2 litre capacity but tuned to produce 139kW of power and 510Nm of torque.

Each of these models can be kitted out with an almost infinite variety of body requirements for special or general job needs.

Also available in these N-series trucks is Isuzu's hugely popular Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), a six-speed unit that provides smooth and responsive gear changes to replace the traditional clutch pedal and employing a fluid coupling and wet clutch.

Yours truly was fooled for awhile, seeking to leave the unit in what he believed to be auto transmissions and just applying extra power when necessary. It doesn't work that way, but after a little practice - I actually drove this one - proves one hell of a lot easier than depressing a clutch every time you want to select a different gear.

Thanks to Isuzu's imaginative design people, the hot, noisy and austere truck cabins of yesteryear are long gone. Now we find a powerful fluorescent interior light to help fill in the log book at night, a suspension drivers seat that's far easier on the backside, great air-con, big roomy cabs with easy access 90 degree door opening and well positioned grab handles for drivers making regular drop offs.

Cab safety also has been enhanced by standard passenger airbags across the N Series range, anti-lock braking, traction control and hill start aid on all models except the NPS 4x4.