Feature: 2015 Isuzu N Series

The heavy-duty truck market may be struggling but it's full steam ahead for light-duty models, where year-to-date registrations were up 11 per cent at the end of July.

Isuzu Australia is confident that growth is set to continue. With an expanding population, the on-going trend of urbanisation and a projected doubling of sea trade over the next 20 years, demand for 'last mile' metro freight services is set to soar, and light-duty trucks will shoulder much of the load.

"Vehicle census data tells us of a significant 22.5 per cent increase in the registration of light-duty trucks since 2009, pointing to a marked shift in distribution trends across Australia," says Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Director and COO, Phil Taylor.

To that end, IAL says it's meeting the challenge with its recently updated range of N Series trucks, which it showcased to Australia's motoring media recently in Victoria.

The N Series is sold in over 100 countries and Isuzu says it tops truck sales charts in 19 of them, including Australia. The Japanese brand produces around 224,000 N Series models annually, representing around a third of the company's total global production.

Tracing its heritage back to the Elf of 1959, the modern-day N Series line-up is a far cry from those humble beginnings in terms of performance and technology. Its mission, however, remains the same – to transport goods in urban environments with ease and efficiency.

The range of potential N Series applications is incredibly diverse, spanning trades, construction and traditional road freight, among others.

Some 46 individual N Series models are on offer, from the narrow-cab NLR (4500/5500kg GVM) to the wider-cab NNR (4500kg GVM), NPR (4500-7500kg GVM) and NQR (8000/8700kg GVM) families, along with NLS all-wheel drive and NPS four-wheel drive models and NLR/NPR CNG variants.

A variety of wheelbases are available, along with select crew cab and tipper models and ready-to-work Traypack and Tradepack packages, complete with trays and a selection of factory accessories.

Powering the range are two Euro 5 four-cylinder turbo-diesels – the 3.0-litre 4JJ1 or 5.2-litre 4HK1 – mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automated manual transmission.

The NLR and NNR families get the 3.0-litre unit, good for 110kW (148hp) at 2800rpm and 375Nm from 1600-2800rpm, while the NPR and NQR get the 5.2-litre in one of two outputs: 114kW (153hp) at 2600rpm and 419Nm from 1600-2600rpm, or 140kW (188hp) at 2600rpm and 513Nm from 1600-2600rpm.

The updated N Series range was unveiled at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show, the evolution seeing the introduction of wide number of changes.

Headlining the bill is the introduction of Isuzu Electronic Stability Control (IESC). Now available on all NLR, NNR and NPR models, it stands ready to head off an imminent loss of control.

The system brings with it an enhanced traction control system that can now apply brake pressure to a spinning wheel (previously it only reduced engine torque), while other safety features include driver and passenger front airbags, antilock brakes, Hill Start Assist and ECE-R29-compliant cabs.

Several mid-range NPR models now benefit from the top-spec 140kW engine, including six that can be rated at a car-licence-friendly 4500kg GVM. With over 25 applicable N Series models Isuzu is pursuing this niche vigorously, and says these trucks offer tradies in particular appreciable power, torque, payload and space advantages over many utes.

With the boosted power comes a transmission upgrade in both manual and AMT form, to handle the increased torque output.

A new nomenclature sees the traditional three-letter model name paired with a GVM/power rating in metric horsepower. For example, the NPR 45-190 has a 4500kg GVM and a 190ps (188hp) power rating.

Outside there's a new grille design, either colour matched or in chrome depending on model, and fog lamps on NPR and NQR models, while inside there's new seat trim, a revised steering wheel and, on many models, an uprated spring suspension seat.

The NPR and NQR also score climate control and all models except the NQR get a boosted 90-amp alternator (up from 80 amps), while other updates include a new digital info display and an optimised manual transmission, now with a narrower ratio gap between second and third.

The media launch took us from Isuzu dealership Westar Truck Centre in Derrimut, Melbourne, to Ballarat. We covered a wide selection of roads – from city streets to major highway – also tackling the steep grades of the Pentland Hills.

Our progress was monitored by Isuzu Telematics Connect Plus. Launched last year, Isuzu says the technology is delivering significant efficiency gains for customers – click here for our earlier review.

Our six-strong test fleet provided a good flavour of the new range: three car-licence-friendly models (an NLR, NNR and NPR) and three with the top-spec 140kW engine (all NPRs). A mix of transmissions, wheelbases and body styles were on offer, each loaded to around 80 per cent of their GVM.

While our time behind the wheel was brief, it didn't take long before common themes emerged.

First and foremost, they're all incredibly easy to drive. Isuzu acknowledges that in the 4500kg GVM bracket it's often dealing with business owners rather than truck specialists, and as such it's put plenty of effort into making the driving experience and environment as car-like as possible. Not that there's anything arduous about driving the heavier models, either…

The diminutive NLR 45-150 has a narrower, lower cab than its siblings and cab access is a breeze. Mind you, with doors that open to 90 degrees, sturdy footsteps, A-pillar grab handles and modest seat heights, climbing into any of these little beasts is easy.

It's no drama finding a comfy driving position either, with the adjustable seat complemented by a steering wheel adjustable for tilt and reach.

Our test trucks were fitted with Isuzu's Digital Audio Visual Equipment (DAVE) system with 6.2-inch colour touch-screen. With DAB digital radio and a range of multimedia options DAVE is a clever little system, although the screen can be a bit tricky to read in strong sunlight. Our fleet saw DAVE equipped with truck-specific sat-nav and reversing cameras too, which all help simplify life behind the wheel.

It takes a little while for DAVE to boot up after starting the truck but once you've entered your four-digit driver code for the telematics system there's no going back – and no hiding any bad driving habits...

The new seat trim and steering wheel are minor updates but the uprated suspension seat now provides extra comfort for drivers up to 130kg. I didn't find much wrong with the older seat but this new one bodes well, although it'll take a longer test to pass definitive judgement.

The NPR 45-155 box truck in medium-wheelbase format posed no problems through a quiet residential estate. I'm sure the locals were wondering why they were the target of an Isuzu invasion but our cavalcade was through in moments, the fleet deftly slipping through small roundabouts and tight junctions before passing on to the arterials beyond.

There are no auto options but the six-speed AMT shifts cleanly with minimal interruption between cogs. The six-speed manuals were tight in their operation but the trucks only had a handful of kilometres on the clock – they should loosen up in time.

All six trucks took their load in their stride, offering good grunt from low in the rev range, while the roll-out of the 140kW engine into the NPR line and especially at a 4500kg GVM rating will give many tradies food for thought. Isuzu says it represents a 22 per cent boost in power and torque over previous equivalents – and a whopping 27 per cent improvement on certain Japanese rivals...

Certainly the NPR 65-190 with manual transmission had no trouble holding sixth up the upper reaches of the Pentland Hills – the speedo dropped to 90km/h but it held a steady 2000rpm and soldiered on unperturbed.

On the highway, the cruise control (standard in some models) was another plus. The exhaust brake doesn't offer a huge amount of assistance but the standard brakes – all disc apart from the NQR's disc/drum setup – are more than adequate.

All these trucks are impressively quiet on a steady throttle, and aren't excessively noisy even under acceleration. The handling held no nasty surprises either; add in the general comfort and life in an N Series truck is good.

Vision is excellent thanks to the large expanses of glass, narrow A-pillars and the large split side mirrors, while cab storage is adequate, if not massive. The narrower NLR misses out on the folding centre seat back with plastic tray (it doesn't get the suspension seat either), but you can squeeze a bit of stuff behind the seating in all the N Series models on test.

The cab's interior is the usual mix of hard plastics and other hard-wearing surfaces – it appears durable and the instrumentation is clear and easy to read.

Aftersales backup is crucial to the commercial equation and here too the N Series fares well. The standard factory warranty runs to three years, 100,000km or 2000 hours with three years of roadside assistance, but Isuzu's Extended Care builds on this significantly and maintenance packages are available under Isuzu's recently unveiled Priority One and Priority Total service agreements.

The appeal of Isuzu's N Series is plain to see. These are compact but comfortable and capable workhorses, and the many updates and refinements build on an already solid platform.

Competition in Australia's cramped light-duty class is fierce, but with its latest evolution Isuzu's N Series appears well positioned to capitalise on Australia's growing freight task.

ISUZU N SERIES SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel/5.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
POWER: 110kW at 2800rpm/114kW or 140kW at 2600rpm
TORQUE: 375Nm at 1600-2800rpm/419Nm or 513Nm at 1600-2600rpm
EMISSIONS: ADR 80/03 (Euro 5)
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual or six-speed automated manual
CONFIGURATION: 4x2 (4x4 and AWD models also available)
GVM: 4500-8700kg
GCM: 7000-12,200kg
WHEELBASE: 2490-4475mm
BRAKES: Four-wheel disc or front disc/rear drum
CABS: Single cab (wide or narrow); crew cab also available
WEB: www.isuzu.com.au