The latest Isuzu 1-ton pickup from Isuzu is the first clean sheet design for this class of vehicle to come form the Japanese manufacturer in 10 years. The design concept for this exciting 5th generation Isuzu pickup comes out of an agreement reached between Isuzu and General Motors Corporation in 1997 for GM to collaborate with Isuzu to produce a global market next generation 1-ton pickup.
The immediate success of this new vehicle is a highlight in nine decades of Isuzu engineering evolution. The experience gained by Isuzu through this process of evolution was ploughed into this new vehicle without restraint. Feedback from market applications and individual owners experience together with a vehicle wish list gleaned from international market research formed the basis of the most intense product design and engineering study ever entered into by Isuzu.
Every aspect of this new generation Isuzu pickup was exposed to rigorous development and testing regimens. This new vehicle had to set global quality and performance standards that others would be measured against early in the 21st Century. Virtually endless engineering and durability tests were conducted on prototype vehicles in every conceivable driving condition from frozen tundra in the arctic region to blazing desert conditions.
This new vehicle had to improve on the already well established reputation for economy of operation and durability earned by its predecessors. Early in this development programme the 5th Generation Isuzu KB showed itself more than capable of building on this solid reputation. Attention to detail ensured not only a balanced design but also one that fully delivered on all engineering and operating objectives set down in the engineering concept for this vehicle.
Design concept
Fundamental to the design concept was the requirement for this latest Isuzu 1-ton pickup to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of buyers. It had to meet the needs of commercial and agricultural users as well as those of recreational users. This cross-over had to provide for use as a sport-utility vehicle by those with active lifestyles and equally satisfy practical workhorse requirements.
Most importantly this cross-over had to be achieved with the minimum of compromise. In terms of reliability and durability there could be no compromise whatsoever in meeting the engineering objectives.
Out of this design concept has come a vehicle that boasts a fine balance between elegant styling and practicality. Modern aerodynamic styling is characterised by distinctive smooth lines and flush surfaces.
Interior
An essential element of the design was that this new Isuzu pickup should break out of a pure utilitarian mould by providing a high level of interior comfort in a spacious cabin. Isuzu stylists, working towards the cross-over requirements of pure commercial users and recreational users, worked to an objective of setting new class standards for interior space, ergonomics, and practicality. The ideal would be an interior that provided comfort levels comparable to those of a high-grade saloon car yet retained the functionality and practicality required of a working commercial vehicle.
Attention to detail in the exterior design with its smooth aero lines and precise panel fit contributes to interior comfort with a reduction in wind noise. Space utilisation is optimised to provide a significant improvement over its predecessor. The new 5th Generation Isuzu KB Single Cab has an interior volume of 1,58m3 compared to the 1,43m3 of the old KB.
The instrument panel boasts a futuristic design that is functional and provides for excellent ergonomics with all frequently accessed gauges and controls placed for the best visibility and ease of access. Ventilation and air-conditioner setting is achieved with a set of dial type controls. On 4X4 variants the switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive is accomplished electronically by the simple pushing the relevant button on a dashboard mounted control panel.
Chassis
The 5th Generation Isuzu KB has as its foundation an all-new chassis design. An electro-coat anti-corrosion treatment is applied for optimum corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
This all new chassis design is not only offers added strength and durability to an already well proven product but also offers a longer wheelbase. The longer wheelbase provides for a load box that is 25mm longer than the previous model.
A “High-Ride” chassis option is available on all Fleetside, LE, and LX model derivatives. This feature provides better ground clearance, normally associated with 4X4 vehicles, in usage in conditions where more ground clearance is required but there is no defined requirement for a full 4X4 vehicle with its added initial and operating costs.
Safety
The ladder type chassis of the New Generation Isuzu KB is designed to optimise safety. The placement of basic frame members and enlarged side panel members allow crash impact loads to be effectively distributed through the frame.
Door side beams, the front bumper, and the chassis frame are reinforced to provide a safety cell for vehicle occupants. The chassis frame thickness and its configuration provide selective strengthening to optimise the safety characteristics in the event of a crash impact. The front and rear sections of the frame are designed to absorb a high level of crash impact and dissipate energy while the centre section is reinforced to resist deformation in a collision and provide protection in the cab area.
Across the range a large windshield and side windows provide good all round visibility. Large windscreen wipers provide for effective clearing of the windscreen in wet weather while the headlight design has been optimised to provide a high level of illumination. The comfortable cabin and driving position with excellent ergonomics combined with high legibility gauges help reduce driver fatigue on extended journeys.
Selected models in the range feature ABS and driver and passenger airbags as active safety features. Three point seat belts are fitted with height adjustment for front seat occupants to provide the most comfortable fit.
Vehicle validation and testing
The New Generation Isuzu KB pickup has been extensively tested in South Africa in the process of validating and engineering the vehicle for South African conditions. Excellent performance and durability in harsh South African operating conditions is underwritten by this extensive test programme.
The new Isuzu KB has been subjected to a more intensive local test programme than any other vehicle from the GMSA stable. During this intense 24 month programme 23 imported and 10 locally manufactured examples of the new KB logged 1.4 million kilometres.
Eight of the vehicles have each been subjected to more than 100 000 kilometres of accelerated rough road durability testing to validate the basic vehicle structure and the hang on components, including those that make up the local content of the vehicle. These tests were conducted on South African secondary roads in both fully laden and unladen conditions.
Seven vehicles were used to conduct “Hill durability tests”. During these highway-oriented tests each of these seven vehicles covered more than 20 000 kilometres at full GCM (Gross Combination Mass). These tests, conducted with the vehicle fully loaded and towing a trailer of the maximum permissible mass, validate the cooling and durability of the powertrain components.
Compliance with SABS requirements for automotive braking systems was validated by a comprehensive series of braking tests. In addition to these tests a series of city cycle brake durability tests was conducted to validate the service life of brake components under severe operating conditions.
Engine cooling tests have been conducted on each engine derivative to ensure that effective cooling is provided for South African operating conditions.
Each engine derivative has undergone a full set of performance and economy tests. In these tests each derivative is assessed in line with SABS standards to confirm that the selected power trains offer optimised performance and economy that will be competitive in the market place.
