First Look - 2009 Isuzu N-Series Reward truck is one for the road
Published: Sunday | February 8, 2009
Photos by Mario James
LEFT: Oh, a CD stereo! Engine brake is engaged by the steering stalk on the left. The spacious interior is equipped with an airbag.
RIGHT: The Isuzu Reward's 14-foot chassis with standard cab, 4.3-litre engine and straight four-to-five speed transmission rolls out at $3.3 million.
Mario James, Gleaner Writer
ON THURSDAY, January 29, Automotives was invited to a most informal gathering at Vehicle and Supplies, Half-Way Tree Road - the Isuzu dealers. Assembled was a small cadre of movers and shakers, who came to pay tribute to the crown prince of the road - the new Isuzu N-Series. Called the 'Reward', the new Isuzu offering emphasises crew comfort and chassis adaptability with a slew of work configurations that make this truck a workhorse.
Reward can come in any of 12 configurations, from refrigerated van to a vehicle wrecker config; three different cab styles - standard, wide and crew. Two four-cylinder engines are available, a 3.0 litre turbo charged and a 4.3 litre normally aspirated. Both of them are equipped with engine braking, with a five-litre common rail diesel being available later this year.
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Sales manager Shana Stewart-Hall says that the intake system for the engine is sealed against the elements, and its air filter is designed not to ingest water. Chassis lengths range from 14 to 24 feet, payload ratings start at two tonnes, go up to eight and are available with both single and double rear axles. A bare 14-foot chassis with 4.3 litre engine, five speed transmission/standard cab rolls out the door for $3.3 million. A three 'dropside' body would add $500K to that price, a box body, $700,000 (for the 14-foot chassis).
Bodies are built locally. The cab is impressive, with lots of room and ergonomics. The external door pull is vertical, instead of horizontal, which makes it easier to grab, and its recess is deep, so it can accommodate a thickly gloved hand. Now, the old NPR/NQR had fore and aft adjustments for the seats, but the new N-series seats can actually tilt backwards appreciably because the cab was designed with a hump to accommodate this feature.
Designed around what Isuzu calls a 'hexapod' design (hexapod is market speak for, uh, cube) the new cab does seem strong. Controls are within easy reach; access is easy as the door swings out almost 90 degrees.
Many concessions to crew comfort abound, but the pièce de résistance is this - how many trucks do you know come standard with a CD stereo?
mario.james@gleanerjm.com.