Staying Focused

PowerTorque - by Chris Mullett

PowerTorque
Issue 38

Isuzu maintains its eye firmly on the ball when it comes to playing to win

It's no mean feat for Isuzu to state that it has been the number one seller of trucks throughout Australia since 1989. That's a 25-year history of recommendation, reputation, reliability and value for money, which becomes even more impressive when you consider the breadth of competition that increases every year.

The company has come through the GFC in relatively good shape, showing a consolidated sales revenue for the first quarter of this year of $4.5 billion (AUS) and an operating profit of $300 billion (AUS), a considerable increase of nearly 100 percent over 2008/9 figures.

It's a figure that Yuki Morata, Isuzu Australia's Managing Director and CEO, is justifiably pleased about, and testimony to his deep commitment to the Australian market, the largest of its global network.

Holding number one spot for 25 years doesn't come from being complacent. The company has never stopped focusing on its achievement, and, even today, there is no room for complacency within its leadership team. A prime example of this ongoing attitude to win can be illustrated by the introduction several years ago of the Isuzu Care customer service programme.

Isuzu invested heavily in personnel and resources to ensure its customers have a permanent link with technical advisors through a freecall 1800 number. It provides a three year, 24/7 roadside assist package, as standard, on all its products, and the new truck warranty can also be extended to six years, providing considerable peace of mind to small and large operators alike.

As well as service agreements tailored to suit a particular vehicle application, Isuzu also offers its own vehicle insurance products, in association with NTI, that extend cover from a commercial vehicle policy through to public and product liability, accident assist and access to NTI premium repairers.

The service agreements can range from simple general maintenance right through to total cover of all parts replacement, labour and service costs, on a fixed price basis.

Isuzu has always held the reputation of being a quality engine builder, and this is one area where the company has maintained its distance from some of its competitors. Australians have been buying the Isuzu brand since 1980, but the company has been making trucks for our market since 1972 when they were badged as Bedford, and, consequently, there's a long history of trust involved with its customers.

The change in emissions legislation for 2011 has resulted in the company introducing its new range of Euro V rated trucks - Isuzu's cleanest ever, and among the most environmentally friendly of any make on Australian roads.

In addition to the impressive 'green' credentials of the new range, which includes four carry-over compressed natural gas (CNG) models, Isuzu has introduced six new truck models to give buyers even greater choice across the N and, higher weight, F Series.

While all N Series SiTEC Series III engines comply with Euro V emissions standards, power and torque figures remain unchanged from the previous models.

Two new tipper models (NLS 200, NLR 275) have been added to the N Series range, while the NLS 200 is now also being offered in crew cab configuration for the first time.

Isuzu's engineering team has continued its work to provide safer cabins, and this has resulted in the fitting of passenger airbags, as standard, on all new N Series models. All cabs also conform to ECE-29 regulation cabin strength standards.

Other benefits include the introduction of a standard fluorescent cabin light in N Series trucks, and the adoption of taper leaf front springs (NPR 250/300/400 and NQR 450 models) for a smoother ride with up to 30 percent greater load capacity.

Mention also needs to be made of the availability of Isuzu's CNG model range, which is a viable alternative to conventional diesel-powered trucks during a time when many businesses are considering ways of reducing their carbon footprint. The CNG range not only meets current emissions requirements, but already conforms to proposed Euro VI standards.

The Euro V Engine Range
The heart of the new trucks for 2011 is based on three Euro V-rated engines, beginning with the four-cylinder, 3.0-litre SiTEC SERIES III 150. This engine is fitted to all NLR and NNR models and produces 110 kW @ 2,800 rpm and delivers torque of 375 Nm between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm.

The second engine is the four-cylinder, 5.2-litre SiTEC SERIES III 155 providing power of 114 kW @ 2,600 rpm and torque of 419 Nm between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm for all NPR and NPS models.

Providing power for all NQR 450 models is the four-cylinder SiTEC SERIES III 185. This engine also has a capacity of 5.2 litres, but has been tuned to produce 139 kW @ 2,600 rpm and 510 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm.

While the three new engines now offer stricter Euro V emissions performance, this has not come at a cost to power and torque figures, which remain unchanged from the previous range.

Three new model variants have been added to the N Series range, increasing choice for operators.

The NLS 200 is now available in a Medium Crew variant with a 3360 mm wheelbase (up from 2740 mm in single cab configuration), with enough room for six occupants, including three seating positions in the rear.

Also new to the NLS 200 range is the NLS 200 Tipper, with a 4.5 tonne GVM and 2740 mm wheelbase.

Another new model, the NLR 275, will be available with a factory-fitted tipper body, featuring a 5.5 tonne GVM and 8 tonne GCM.

Other notable specification changes include the adoption of taper leaf front springs, to replace multi-leaf springs on the NPR 250/300/400 and NQR 450, providing 30 percent greater capacity and a smoother ride in all conditions.

In this category, there's a choice of manual transmissions or Isuzu's own Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). The six-speed AMT is a two-pedal operation and generally works well to reduce fatigue, especially for those drivers operating in dense urban conditions. There are times when downshifting can be a little slow on sudden hills, but it sorts itself out quite quickly and doesn't become annoying.

One of the really good features for drivers of the premium N Series models is the addition, for the first time, of a driver's suspension seat. Replacing the fixed seat, it's a major upgrade in driver comfort.

We hear a lot these days about crash rating protection levels, and it's satisfying to know that N-Series cabs conform to the strength requirements dictated by ECE R29, and feature pillar hinge, frame and door-beam reinforcement, along with a closed section side sill step and front mounting rail. Cab safety has been further bolstered by the inclusion of a standard passenger SRS airbag across the N Series range.

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS with EBD), Anti-Skid Regulator (ASR), or traction control, and Hill Start Aid (HSA) are available on all models (except NPS 4x4).

Isuzu has included a navigation package, it calls an infotainment system, that includes Bluetooth phone connection, optional NAVTEQ embedded Satellite Navigation and up to three audiovisual reversing cameras. It's a system that's available at additional cost, but we did find the actual operation of the unit to be awkward. Undoubtedly, the inclusion of rear and side vision cameras is a great safety feature, but we feel these would actually be better if viewed through a separate screen on top of the dashboard, more in the driver's line of sight, than its current location in the centre of the dashboard. The Sat/Nav system is also too complicated to operate when compared to a standard, low cost, Garmin or Tom Tom stuck on the windscreen.

Controlling Emissions
The launch of Isuzu Trucks' Euro V-compliant N-Series models marks the final step to achieving ADR80/03 emissions ratings across the entire Isuzu truck range.

For diesel and natural gas-powered engines, measurements in exhaust output are benchmarked by Euro V, which allows exhaust emissions of no more than 0.030 grams per kilowatt hour (kWh) of particulate matter (PM) and 2.0 g/kWh of nitrogen oxides (NOx). In order to meet the stringent new emissions ratings dictated by ADR80/03, all truck manufacturers must adopt either a particulate filter, SCR technology, or a combination of both.

All Isuzu N-Series models have been equipped with a particulate filter since 2007, a feature that has allowed the previous ranges to meet Euro IV regulations, compared to the more lax US EPA04 standards adhered to by many competitors.

The confirmation to Euro V and ADR80/03 legislation has resulted in all Isuzu's N-Series models being fitted with a DPD, using revised Engine Control Module (ECM) software, adopting improved Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) coolers, higher injection pressure, a fuel cooler on NLR, NLS and NRR models and a primary fuel filter on NLR, NLS and NRR models.

The upgraded EGR coolers will reduce the amount of NOx emitted via the exhaust by lowering the temperature of exhaust gas, thus inhibiting NOx formation.

On the Road
The launch of the new technology gave PowerTorque the opportunity to drive a selection of several of the new models during a day travelling around the suburbs of Brisbane. In overall terms, one common lasting impression was the reduction of noise within the cabin. It's now a quieter workplace, and with the new suspension seats, it's also more comfortable for the driver.

The NPR 300 stood out as a great little truck to drive, and the version we drove featured the six-speed manual gearbox that's as slick and easy to use as any on the market. Hill Start Assist (HAS) might sound like an unnecessary inclusion, but, for those driving all day in stop/start traffic on hilly roads, it's a good safety addition to prevent roll back.

The NQR 450 Medium with AMT transmission suffered from a lack of seat height adjustment, but otherwise gave a comfortable ride with good all round vision. There were times when the Brisbane hills caught out the AMT's ability to downshift quickly, and this might require a little more programming of the ECM controlling the shift phasing.

The approach of Euro V and the recent upgrades to cab features, increased power and torque options and higher comfort levels should guarantee Isuzu maintains its top spot position, for a strong tilt at making it 26 consecutive years as market leader in 2011.