It’s not very often Company Vehicle magazine features a light commercial truck on the front cover and the reason for this is that it doesn’t happen very often that a new truck comes along.
However, on those rare occasions where this sort of thing does occur, it's very often big news.
Light trucks don’t change very often but when they do, the changes are significant enough to make more than a little bit of noise about.
Such is the case this month with the launch of eight new N-Series trucks from Isuzu, which expands the range in order to appeal to existing and new customers.
The N-Series, for those who have been hiding under a rock – is the truck which appeals to a great many SMEs.
It fills in that little niche between a ute – which can be driven by anyone – and a truck which requires a class 2 licence.
For this reason – at least partially – the N-Series is the leading truck in its segment by a not insignificant margin.
There are other reasons, not least of which is the fact that when Isuzu does a product update – it’s a well-considered, well executed one.
Which is why there is quite a buzz around the traps at present, because Isuzu New Zealand has released details of eight new N-Series models, offering many new features and benefits to customers.
The NMR range builds on the already very popular N-Series models, which made up 7 percent of Isuzu Truck sales in 2019, when the brand claimed its 20th consecutive year as the country’s leading supplier of new trucks.
With the additions to the N-Series, it looks very much as if Isuzu is going to keep its track record intact.
What does the NMR range offer to make it so attractive? According to General Manager Dave Ballantyne, “The Isuzu NMR model range delivers some unique competitive advantages by providing the right balance in specification of technology and price.”
To be more specific, the NMR trucks introduce features like Electronic Vehicle Stability Control, cruise-control, programmable speed limiter, disc-brakes on all four wheels and a choice of either a five-speed manual or a six-speed AMT transmission with torque convertor.
All AMT transmission models enjoy the benefit of a transmission ‘kick-down’ switch, to ensure the truck can drop a gear on demand, while the torque converter has the function to multiply torque output from the engine.
This delivers increased torque to the rear wheels, which results in more responsive faster acceleration from low engine speeds meaning overall improved performance.
This is a technical example of what the NMR has to offer and there is more, including the availability of a Shinmaywa three-way tipper, as well as conventional tipper bodies, which should appeal to a host of small business enterprises and councils.
There is one other vitally important consideration, before going into the negotiations of how your N-Series should be set up, and that is an awareness of GVM, or gross vehicle masses.
In simple terms, an increase in GVM equals an increase in productivity since the truck’s ability to carry more has grown.
The offset is that an increase in GVM typically means the next step up in licence, which in many cases means drivers of the vehicle are limited to Class 2 licence holders.
The NMR trucks have seen a GVM increase up to 5995kg which maximises the payload but still allows the truck to be driven by anyone holding a class one licence.
The narrow width cabs means the NMR models are easier to manoeuver in situations where access may be limited, such as around town delivery, tipper and reconstructive work.
Isuzu’s light truck future looks very bright indeed.
