Isuzu Unveiled New N Series

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has released its highly intelligent new N Series range featuring a new look and nomenclature, increased power and torque in several models, an impressive selection of enhanced safety equipment and greater choice in key driver’s licence models. The new 2015 N Series offers an innovative transport package aimed at a multitude of end-user applications including trade and construction as well as traditional road freight. Two striking examples of the new model line-up, an NLR 45-150 AMT MWB Traypack and a NPR 45-155 Premium Tradepack, were previewed at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show and will be available for purchase later in the year from Airpower Darwin and Alice Springs.

Safety first

Isuzu has elevated the safety specifications on the new 2015 N Series, positioning the new model range at the pinnacle of the light truck segment. The models’ already comprehensive safety suite has received a boost with the introduction of Isuzu Electronic Stability Control or IESC. IESC applies to all new Isuzu NLR, NNR and NPR models, building on an already imposing set of safety credentials within the range.

Isuzu’s IESC on-board technology gathers information from a range of sensors to detect and help correct an unexpected loss of control. Data from sensors throughout the truck is continually fed to an electronic hydraulic control unit or EHCU. This data then informs automated engine torque and braking reactions to bring an otherwise risky driving scenario back under control. The EHCU is essentially the ‘brains’ behind IESC and also works to control a long list of complementary preventative safety aids on board the clever new 2015 N Series. These include anti-lock braking, electronic brake force distribution system, anti-slip regulator systems, Isuzu Electronic Stability Control and boost assist when fitted and Hill Start Assist.

New look, new badging

The 2015 N Series will feature a sleek new look, with new grille design in paint colour for NLR, NLS, NNR and NPS models and chrome on all NPR and NQR. NPR and NQR models also benefit from the premium specification level and – in addition to the chrome grille – receive fog lamps and automatic climate control, except for Tippers. New nomenclature has also been introduced, refining a twenty-year-old Isuzu naming system.

Supporting a revised front visual appearance of the 2015 N Series, Isuzu has moved to the widely understood and accepted system that identifies truck models by GVM and engine power rating. In the case of the new N Series range, Isuzu have retained the familiar three letter model codes, being NLR, NLS, NPR, NQR and NPS. In place of the previous three numeral model number, a two number reference is now used to express the vehicle’s GVM in hundreds of kilograms. For the N Series range, the two number GVM references are: 45, 55, 65, 75 and 87, representing the GVM ratings ranging from 4.5 to 8.7 tonnes. The GVM denomination is then followed by the power rating of the model, expressed in ‘PS.’ The power ratings for the 2015 N Series models are 150, 155, and 190 PS. Wheelbase options are also detailed in the extended model name using self-explanatory acronyms including SWB, MWB and LWB.

Comfort and convenience

Isuzu backs up the new look N Series makeover with enhanced cab comfort and greater driver convenience. The new range will feature a new steering wheel design and seat trim, while the driver seat is specced with a vibration absorbing support pad, torsion bar and optimised weight ratio for up to 130 kilograms. In further changes to the driveline, manual NNR and NPR 45 and 55 models feature the MYY6 transmission with revised ratio set. Third and fourth gear ratios have been revised, making the gap from second to third gear smaller, allowing for greater ease of handling and optimised ability to maintain momentum.

More power, more choice

Isuzu has set the 2015 N Series apart from all comers by introducing the 190 PS or 140 kilowatt rated 5.2 litre 4HK1 engine to more models. The 2015 model update introduces this unrivalled engine to the NPR 65 and NPR 75 models. In the case of the popular NPR 65-190 model for example, the engine uprate delivers a massive 27 per cent more power than competitor automatic-equipped models. For NPR 65 and NPR 75, the 2015 engine rating equates to a 23 per cent power hike and 22 per cent torque boost, when compared to the previous Isuzu SiTEC 155 engine. Isuzu now also offers more choice in the car licence segment with four variants of the N Series available rated at 4.5 tonne GVM.

In other general range updates, the new N series range will now offer greater data capacity with more information from CAN BUS stored on board. This enables technicians to readily access more operational data to diagnose and rectify any issues that may occur. And rounding out the updates, all models – except the NQR – will now also feature a new alternator which increases output 80 to 90 amps.