Isuzu Announce all-new Model Range for 2025

In-depth

10 Dec

Given it has been 17 years since the last model update for Isuzu, the announcement of a new range coming in 2025 is big news indeed…

It speaks volumes that the brand has been able to maintain its No1 position in the Australian market place over all those years (indeed, they’ve been No 1 for 35 years straight) and must give some credence to their ‘Reliability is Everything’ tagline.

But time catches up with everything and Isuzu’s competition has surpassed it - certainly in terms of safety. There’s also increased competition coming, with Foton and Hyundai joining Japanese stalwarts Hino and Fuso in the market segment. That said, Isuzu’s extensive dealership network – 36 dealers with 71 outlets – works in their favour, along with that legendary ‘reliability’ tag.

Once deemed a luxury or an added extra, the concept of vehicle safety has changed rapidly in recent times. Far from a ‘nice to have,’ Isuzu’s all-new model line-up comes to Australia next year with safer road use and driver wellbeing at its very core.

Underscored by the product design philosophy of parent company, Isuzu Motors Limited (IML), the Australian launch of the new 2025 truck range evolves the long-established ‘SEE’ engineering approach (safety, economy and environment).

A foundational premise of that philosophy relates to driver societal wellbeing, meaning more advanced safety technology and a class-leading driver environment across the entire line-up.

**LED headlights standard across the range**

With Isuzu’s new model line-up, the broader theme of safety has been broken down into three key planks…

· ‘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

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

· ‘Passive Safety,’ relating to crew protection and other road user and pedestrian protection

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

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

A significant driving force behind these advances is Isuzu Group’s focus on road user wellbeing and driver welfare whilst behind the wheel.

Domestically, other contributing factors for the Australian market are the introduction of mandatory Australian Design Rule (ADR) regulatory changes which set benchmark requirements for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on all new vehicles sold in Australia…

· ADR 35/07: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on all new heavy vehicles from 1 February 2025

· ADR 97/00: Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) from 1 February 2025

· ADR 80/04: New emission levels treatment: all vehicles from 1 November 2025

Although many Australian model N, F and FX-FY Series models already employ a broad range of leading safety features and driver ergonomic benefits, the latest model year 2025 (MY25) range takes the overall concept of truck safety to a whole new level.

Isuzu’s MY25 range can now boast a baseline of multiple safety systems across every model variant, making it the clear safety leader when it comes to Japanese trucks. On top of these baseline features, selected MY25 models go even further with advanced safety to suit their application.

N Series safety

Underpinned by a new advanced electrical architecture, all models within the MY25 N Series range will include no less 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).

F-ACC uses in-vehicle sensors to detect the distance and speed difference between your N Series and the preceding vehicle in your lane, maintaining a safe distance between.

MAM reduces the chances of the driver colliding with objects either in front or at the rear of the vehicle if the accelerator is accidentally depressed from a stationary position.

Bi-LED headlamps provide superior lighting coverage with both high and low beam conditions and are integrated with improved daytime recognition by other road users through the signature Isuzu 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.

**Cameras and radar assist with autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control**

F Series safety

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, which receives a total of 17 active and passive safety features—as an example.

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.

FX-FY Series safety

At the heavier end of Isuzu’s all-new line-up, the FX-FY Series also comes 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), and 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.

Blindspot Monitoring and Driver Monitoring systems are available but will be optional in the short term, with Isuzu stating that they wish to do more local testing on these features.

Passive Safety incorporates and builds upon Isuzu’s robustness with increased cabin strength. Pedestrians have not been forgotten with impact absorbing panels on the front and corners of the new range. The bumpers have been changed and the ‘wet’ wipers incorporate the washers into the blades. This sounds like a small thing but those old washer nipples can do a deal of damage.

All the new model trucks will have much improved windscreen and side glass. They go from having about a 90% level UV protection to a 99% level which has to be good for driver comfort and safety, especially considering skin cancer and the like.

The infra-red protection goes from around 50% up to near 60% which will actually reduce the temperature in a cab, particularly on sunny days, so the air-con system will be more efficient.

The seating has been improved. Either with suspension or fixed seats particularly in the F series where the driver’s seat goes to the latest Isri NTS2 design.

The accelerator pedal which was bottom hinged will go to a car-like pendulum style - a small thing, but it makes for more comfortable driving. The whole driving position will be more car-like across the range.

Isuzu will unveil their new range at the Brisbane Truck Show in May 2025. Before then, however, they have promised me a drive of the various models. I look forward to bringing you that experience.