Back in April I got to hop behind the wheel of some of the all-new MY25 Isuzu models, those being a couple of the (smaller) N-Series and one FRD 110-240.
These were just three of a model range that, placed end-to-end, would block the Hume Highway from Melbourne to the border. Well, not quite but you get the idea.
Since then Isuzu had the public release of the new trucks at the Brisbane Truck Show where, in a masterful display of marketing, they gave away hundreds if not thousands of red and white caps that created a sea of red in the main pavilion – and no doubt left other OEMs seething that they’d not thought of doing something similar.
Now in November I’m back at Isuzu Headquarters in Melbourne’s Truganina to sample the company’s medium to large F-Series trucks. As well as renewing acquaintance with one of the NQRs, we are greeted with six different FV and FX models.
I’ve finally gotten my head around the numbers that follow Isuzu’s lettering. For example, the FXL 260-355 means that the truck has a GVM of 26,000 kg and 355 PS. 1 PS is 0.986 HP.
To say that I was blown away by my earlier drives in the N-Series is an understatement, and my experience in these larger trucks was no less impressive.
It’s been 17 years since Isuzu has done a complete makeover – a testament to the basic design, longevity and loyalty to the brand.
They were however, lagging behind the opposition, certainly in terms of safety. A comment made in our pre-drive briefing was that Isuzu likes to look at what the opposition has done, how well it works and what they can do to not only compete, but move to the top of the class. If Isuzu were at ‘Truck school’ they would surely receive the Dux award.
Design-wise the bigger trucks carry on the cues of the N-Series with more rounded front ends, distinctive family grills with space for company logos between them and the screen.
There are 3-piece bumpers to reduce cost in case of accident. Automatic wipers contain washers in the blades, giving a better clean and removing protrusions from the front of the cab – a nod toward pedestrian safety.
All-electric mirrors are strategically placed to allow as much forward 3/4 vision as possible. The headlights (in fact every globe in the truck) are Bi-LED with Matrix LED’s available in some models.
All models have a proximity key so just walk up to the door, press the button on the handle and open. You have to be next to the door or it won’t work, stopping someone else jumping in front of you and nicking your pride and joy.
Once inside just leave the key in your pocket or on the dash, twist the knob on the side of the column and you’re away. The layout of the cabin is the same as the new N-Series, just bigger. And that’s a good thing for both familiarity between models and because it’s a great layout with everything easy to reach including the vastly updated 10.1 inch multimedia screen with its easy to use apps. In front of you is the instrument cluster: speedo and tacho with a 7.5-inch screen between them.
Kudos to Isuzu for one of the easiest screens in the business to read. Controls for cruise, lane keeping, radio, etc are all now on the steering wheel and again, whilst lagging behind just about everyone else in this area, Isuzu now – dare I suggest – is again Dux of the class.
There are drink holders of course, along with a phone recharging pad set into the dash panel which is better than leaving your $2000-plus iPhone sitting in the sun.
Talking of sun, 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 resulting in cooler cabs and less load on the AC. There’s also the less obvious health benefit – skin cancers are a common scourge amongst truckies.
The driver’s seat is an ISRI NTS2 with both heating and cooling. I didn’t need either, but another journo had left the heating function on and my backside was on its way to third degree burns. You’re gonna love it in Tassie!
Most of the models I drove had the Eaton 6-speed AMT gearbox, and what a beautiful job it does in getting the drive to the ground.
I’ve always believed that Isuzu engines have one of the best matched power and torque bands in the business and it is easy to see (feel) that they have matched the box perfectly with the engines to produce what feels like a lot more get up and go than you’d expect from the stated displacements.
Every model bar one got up and boogied. The ‘odd one out’ was a tipper fitted with a much taller diff for reasons I’ve forgotten, and on its own I would have said that it ‘hauled arse’ very well.
The steering is wonderfully light at crawl for manoeuvring in tight spaces, weighting up as speed increases and giving great feedback to the driver.
The F-Series models come with Lane Keep Assist and, although one journo thought it a bit aggressive, I felt that it was spot on. In wider lanes it was just a gentle nudge back through the steering.
I tried it down a steep, narrow, potholed stretch of road with cruise set at 80km/h and, yes, I could feel it more, but it was working within a much narrower lane at a speed that I wouldn’t have tried without it and the other safety equipment built into the truck.
These trucks now contain every safety acronym known to the automotive industry from A to Z and it does every one of them as well as any truck I’ve driven. From all round discs to adaptive cruise control to anti-lock braking, these are wonderful trucks to drive. Talking of braking, the progression and feel is superb.
I tried a couple of emergency stops, jumping hard on the brake pedal, and at no time did I feel out of control.
Leave adaptive cruise control (ACC) on, follow the traffic and the truck just does its thing, coming to a stop if the vehicle in front does, and moving off of its own accord within three seconds. Otherwise a tap on the go-pedal or a touch of ‘Resume’ on the cruise control and away she goes again.
I missed a turn into one of the designated changeover points and had to do a U-turn in the biggest truck in the fleet – an FXL 260-355 14-pallet curtainsider. Did it in one. So I’m presuming the turning circle across the range is pretty good.
The truck is quiet at speed with no wind noise around the A pillars and engine noise nicely muted.
Suspension is well damped, only being slightly upset on one of those Bunnings speed humps. If you know of a truck that can handle those, please let me know so I can call you a liar. Then again, I was in the FVZ with its multi leaf suspension. The FVD or FVL on airbags would no doubt have handled Bunnings a lot better.
There is so much more to this F-Series that I could write a book on them. Easier to go find out for yourself. And it is easy, given Isuzu’s vast dealer network.
On that front it is worth noting that in conjunction with that comes the company’s huge parts bin, meaning that should the unthinkable occur and you break something, Isuzu can have you back on the road in no time. No waiting for a part to arrive from China or beyond.
Did I mention the 6-year factory warranty and things like, for example, a 3-year warranty on their ready to work Freightpack?
Did I mention the massive range in the company’s Ready to Work range? Or the camera (two in some models) and radar systems that keep you and pedestrians safe? Did I note that the warning bells and whistles are nice and muted so as to not drive you crazy? Did I say that the cameras recognise speed signs?
Like I did say, there is so much more – and “reliability is everything” is just the beginning of your next Isuzu love affair. Go drive one!