ISUZU Australia Restricted (IAL) shared particulars of its all-new truck line-up at a media briefing in Melbourne this week, confirming it can launch the up to date N and F Sequence fashions at Brisbane Truck Present in Could subsequent yr after a 17-year run for the present technology.
Whereas the truckmaker has remained tight-lipped about its next-generation fashions, key executives outlined security, expertise and ergonomic adjustments – nevertheless particular powertrain particulars weren’t shared.
The updates coincide with Australia’s clear shift, because the ADR 80/04 (equal to Euro 6) normal kicks in late-next yr for all heavy autos, however Isuzu made it clear it isn’t merely maintaining with incoming requirements – as an alternative the truckmaker goals to remain forward of the curve.
“For the record of options we’re proposing with the brand new technology, solely 10 per cent of them are to adjust to new ADRs – so we’re mainly exceeding the laws,” stated IAL chief of product and government officer, Matt Sakhaie.
The fashions will use a brand new Isuzu Modular Structure and Element Commonplace (I-MACS) platform, which gives a powertrain-agnostic chassis with standardised components that may be interchanged.
Mr Sakhaie defined that the I-MACS platform permits Isuzu to interchange issues like ICE engines, transmissions, gasoline cell stacks, batteries and superior security gadgets, however one other profit is streamlined manufacturing.
The brand new vary of Isuzu vehicles, from the light-duty N Sequence to the heavy-duty F Sequence fashions, will now function a full suite of ADAS expertise – very similar to what’s utilized by its sister firm, Isuzu Ute, in its D-Max mannequin.
A further eight security techniques might be fitted to the brand new fashions, together with adaptive cruise, misacceleration mitigation, distance and pace distinction readout, lane-keep help, visitors signal recognition, clever pace limiter and extra.
Isuzu additionally outlined plans to check extra blind-spot monitoring and driver monitoring techniques domestically, which could be fitted to the brand new fashions as soon as validated.
Alongside the energetic security expertise fitted to the incoming fashions, the truckmaker outlined its concentrate on occupant consolation as a method of each enhancing security outcomes and likewise easing the ‘driver scarcity’ plaguing the transport trade.
“Challenges regarding driver attraction and retention is a world street transport concern, and one skilled by quite a few nations all over the world,” Mr Sakhaie stated.
“One essential side that Authentic Gear Producers (OEMs) like Isuzu can affect
is the continued improvement of secure, snug {and professional} workspaces for drivers to ply their commerce.”
Isuzu’s consolation focus contains the fitment of improved seating, driver controls which can be extra car-like and IR/UV reduce glass, which the producer says “drives house simply how central driver wellbeing has been to their design and improvement”.
Whereas powertrain specs are but to be revealed intimately, Isuzu Vehicles did verify it can use a brand new in-house developed nine-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission in N Sequence fashions – the primary of its variety in a light-duty truck.
Isuzu additionally shared that the primary of its battery-electric NLR EV and NPR EV truck trials are coming to a detailed, with optimistic suggestions and driving vary figures in line with what the truckmaker predicted.
“We now have one in all every of these two vehicles now working with last-mile logistics fleets,” stated IAL chief engineer, Simon Humphries.
“We’ve had them on the street for many of this yr with superb suggestions from the drivers – a lot in order that there’s a queue of different fleets which can be eager to check out the Isuzu N Sequence EV.”
When probed about when precisely Australians can anticipate to see an electrical N Sequence on the gross sales lot, IAL director and chief working officer Andrew Harbison steered it could possibly be as quickly as subsequent yr.
“Sure, we might need to have a product in market now, however we don’t imagine that will probably be too far down the trail. I’d like to see it in 2025,” he stated.
Mr Harbison informed GoAuto that pricing remains to be being established, however he did verify there might be a “important price improve” consistent with the extra expertise onboard.
IAL informed media in attendance that it’s going to have a powerful provide of the incoming fashions, aiming to proceed its 36 years of market dominance within the light-duty section because it transitions between mannequin generations subsequent yr.
