New Isuzu models up in lights in Brisbane

Unveiled late last year, Isuzu’s new 2025 truck range evolves the Japanese brand’s long-established ‘SEE’ engineering approach (safety, economy, environment) to vehicle design.

When it comes to Isuzu’s new model line-up, the broader theme of safety has been broken down into three key planks.

First is ‘Foundational’, relating to ease of driving; namely stability, operation, visibility, driving position and flexibility and comfort of operation, encompassing noise reduction and noise treatment, vibration and ride handling.

Second is ‘Active Safety’, covering driver vision support, blind-spot reduction and reduced damage in the event of an accident.

And third is ‘Passive Safety’, relating to crew protection and other road user and pedestrian protection.

All three are prioritised with the goal of reduced incidents and reduced damage in the event of an accident.

A critical element of the new offering is Isuzu’s vastly improved, first-in-class safety suite, greatly enhancing active, passive and driver-assist safety functions.

Although many Australian N, F and FX-FY Series models already employ a broad range of safety features and driver ergonomic benefits, the latest model year range takes the concept of truck safety to a whole new level.

Underpinned by a new advanced electrical architecture, all models within the MY25 N Series range will include no fewer than seven all-new active safety features alongside the eight systems already available in the highly regarded Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) found in current-model 4x2 N Series variants.

Key additions at the lighter end of the spectrum include Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (F-ACC) on all two-pedal models, Miss Acceleration Mitigation (MAM) on selected models and Bi-LED headlamps with integrated Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).

The new N Series also receives Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) using stereo camera technology and combines this with an Intelligent Speed Limiter (ISL) function to assist the driver in staying within posted limits.

For medium-duty applications, the MY25 F Series is perhaps the bigger winner when it comes to a safety boost.

In a substantial upgrade from previous systems, every model across the F Series range, including Isuzu’s famed 4x4 models, benefits from a comprehensive baseline suite containing 12 active and passive systems, including the Auto Lighting System (ALS).

Depending on the application, some models come equipped with even more, such as a typical FV variant for example, which receives a total of 17 active and passive safety features.

Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (F-ACC) also finds its way into nearly every model in the F Series range except 4x4 and manual-transmission FRR and FSR models.

At the heavier end of Isuzu’s all-new line-up, the FX-FY Series also comes up trumps with an all-encompassing safety arrangement that matches its lighter cousins in medium-duty.

As per ADR regulations, all models now come fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), while the addition of F-ACC in this weight range, across all models, offers a host of important safety actions for highway driving in and around our major cities.

Of note is the addition of the Lane Keep Assist (LKA) to this market segment, a boon for fleet customers mindful not only of driver and road-user safety but of compliance obligations too.

What’s more, Isuzu’s design team has sought to dramatically improve overall safety, dimensions, visibility and storage with an all-new cab design.

This equates to not only a smart, new-look exterior but also a roomier, more accommodating interior space, ensuring operators have an ergonomic, comfortable and safe environment in which to spend their time on the road.

Driver seating has been closely considered to reduce fatigue, with Isuzu’s new ergonomic suspension seating added to a large selection of the range as standard.

The new driver’s seating is noticeably more comfortable and positioning has been optimised, accommodating greater visibility and easier access to driver controls, stalks and other dash functions.

An extension of this is a revised driving position with a wider tilt and telescopic steering shaft range, a wider seat slide and a more accommodating pedal layout.

Drivers will appreciate a smaller-diameter, more user-friendly steering wheel, assisting in safer overall operator handling and vehicle manoeuvrability, especially in busy urban applications.

Isuzu’s new wheel has been further enhanced using electric actuators for advanced driver support functions and ease of use. Offering total driver control, it has been optimised to work seamlessly alongside onboard safety technology such as Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Safety System (ADAS), audio prompts and handsfree functions via the in-dash multimedia unit.

Further safety functionality is available via a new seven-inch, easy-to-see meter cluster display screen.

Directly in the line of sight of the driver, the display screen is positioned in between the two traditional analogue tachometer/speedometer gauges and oversees a range of ADAS-attuned safety controls as well as vital trip, range and economy intelligence.

A swag of other driver-aid information can be accessed via the display unit including vehicle and exterior temperatures, fuel, charge, tyre pressure and AdBlue levels, as well as practical shift mode indicators.

Rounding out Isuzu’s new range of in-cabin changes is an updated glass specification, again with driver comfort, safety and wellbeing firmly in mind.

Isuzu’s new range features IR/UV (infra red/ultra violet) cut glass, which uses a green glass inner layer, dramatically reducing cut-through. A huge 99 per cent reduction in UV and a 59 per cent reduction in IR cut-through has been achieved, helping to dramatically enhance visibility, prevent sunburn and retina damage and markedly improve cabin insulation.

“To the everyday operator, many of these in-cabin comfort and control features may be deemed as periphery and in many ways, that’s to be expected when pitted against other headline features,” says Isuzu Australia’s Chief of Product, Matt Sakhaie (pictured, above).

“That said, in unpacking some of the thought and consideration that has been channelled into these new cabins drives home just how central driver wellbeing has been to their design and development.

“Put together, the overall benefit to the driver is as compelling as it is reassuring.

“It’s this granular attention to detail, however small it may appear, that goes a long way to getting more people into the truck driving profession and hopefully keeping those already there behind the wheel of an Isuzu truck for many years to come.”