Isuzu launches auto 4x4

Isuzu has announced the launch of the NPS 75/45-155 4x4 AMT – which the company claims is the first two-pedal 4x4 light truck on the Australian market.

Since the NPS range’s introduction in the 1980s, the 4x4 trucks have established a rock-solid reputation for navigating tough terrain and excelling in tight-access situations, and the AMT NPS is a workhorse designed to further the range’s legacy.

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Chief Engineer, Product Strategy, Simon Humphries, said the AMT NPS had been designed to provide operators with take-all-comers reliability and easy manoeuvrability.

“Because the AMT NPS is the only two-pedal 4x4 light truck available on the market today, we invested the time and resources into taking a literal ground-up approach to developing a superior product for all operators looking for a 4x4 light truck that was easier than ever to drive,” Mr Humphries said.

The off-road ability of the AMT NPS begins at its tyres, with Bridgestone L330 225/80R17.5 offering increased off-road grip and a steer axle load rating of 3100kg.

That approach extends to the driveline, with an automated manual transmission calibrated to make off-road operation easier. It also has a two-speed transfer case with low range activated via a switch on the dash. A limited-slip rear diff also assists traction when the going gets slippery.

“At every stage in its development, we’ve considered how the AMT NPS can most effectively cater to more operators looking to get behind the wheel of a no-nonsense 4x4 light truck,” Mr Humphries said.

“We’ve also included cruise control as standard in the AMT NPS and the 7500kg GVM vehicle can be derated to 4500kg and driven on a car licence – at every step of the design and construction process we’ve strived to develop an easy-to-drive, reliable heavy-duty go-anywhere 4x4 light truck.”

Mr Humphries said the truck’s engineering was tailored to best address the needs of drivers and organisations.

“IAL identified a lack of automated manual transmission options in the 4x4 light truck market, and the company believes the AMT NPS will be of great appeal to operators looking for a truck that will allow multiple drivers – even those less familiar with trucks – to hop behind the wheel.

“In addition to its ease of use, the AMT NPS also has payload advantages over some of the major competition in the light 4x4 truck category.

“We developed this truck knowing it will serve fire brigades across the country, and therefore it was of paramount importance that its payload was optimised for the task at hand. When these brave men and women are heading in to battle blazes, we wanted to ensure they were equipped with ample water to take on the job,” said Humphries.

IAL has a storied history of innovation within the Australian trucking industry, and has achieved 29 consecutive years of market leadership on the back of pioneering products that help operators do business more effectively.

IAL Director, Sales and Marketing, Andrew Harbison said Isuzu’s engineers were incredibly aware of this sterling legacy during the development of the AMT NPS.

“Over the years, NPS trucks have served invaluable roles in emergency services fleets, especially in Australian fire brigades. These are operators who need the utmost confidence in the reliability, safety and access of their vehicles,” Mr Harbison said.

Both Mr Harbison and Mr Humphries expressed excitement at introducing the AMT NPS into Isuzu’s market-leading light-truck range.

“This is a truck that will provide considerable benefits to Australian operators,” Mr Harbison said, with Mr Humphries adding: “The AMT NPS stands out from the field of 4x4 light trucks with its ease of operation and fine-tuned, application-specific engineering. IAL is looking forward to getting these trucks out on the road – and off the beaten path.”