Isuzu trucks has announced that it has launched its array of new F-Series medium duty models in its home market of Japan including the much anticipated 6.7 litre joint venture engine that Isuzu has developed with global truck powertrain giant, Cummins with the models expected here around the middle of next year.
Isuzu and Cummins originally signed the Powertrain Partnership agreement in May 2019 to give Isuzu more room and resources to develop zero emission drivelines and to concentrate on its small diesel engine line up for the N Series and for the lower end of the F-Series.
The new six-cylinder Cummins powered Isuzu F-Series models are expected in Australia around May next year, with the new four-cylinder Isuzu powered F-Series models expected ahead of the Cummins engine models
The two companies initially agreed to collaborate globally in the medium-duty diesel segment in 2019, and the Isuzu Cummins DB6A engine is the first to be incorporated into the F-Series medium-duty truck as a result. Isuzu is claiming that the new DB6A engine delivers maximum power of 295 horsepower (220kW ) and maximum torque of 1081 Nm as well as being significantly lighter than other conventional six-cylinder diesel engines.
While it is believed Isuzu Australia would dearly love to have the Volvo/UD 13-litre six cylinder it offers in its flagship models in Japan, by dint of its purchase of the UD brand from Volvo. However T&B News understands there is some resistance from Volvo Australia, which still has the distribution rights to UD in Australia, to allowing Isuzu access to the 13-litre for Isuzus bound for the Australian market.
Speculation continues that if Isuzu cannot gain access to the Volvo 13 litre that it might look to its alliance partner Cummins yo
supply a larger 13 or 15 litre diesel to the brand which is the long time overall market leader in Australia.
Isuzu’s growing sales volume in heavy duty where it is third highest seller in the segment behind Kenworth and Volvo, on which it has been gaining in recent months, would do nothing for the cause of convincing the Swedish truck maker to allow its engine to be used down under.
In regards to the new F-Series, the company said at the launch in Japan, that it had evolved the chassis design of the updated model to unify the basic structure of the Japan domestic market platform with that of overseas models. it has also modified the wheelbase to optimise weight distribution across the front and rear axles in a bid to achieve high loading capacity.
The line-off ceremony for the DB6A engine was held by Isuzu and Cummins at Isuzu’s Tochigi Plant in April with both the Isuzu president and the Cummins CEO on hand to celebrate the milestone.
Jennifer Rumsey, the Cummins chair and CEO said the strong partnership is crucial the ability to grow together and meet the needs of ur customers by leveraging the strengths and scale of both companies.
“This is an important milestone for both Cummins and Isuzu as we enter the Japanese on-highway market for the first time in our 105-year history,” the Cummins boss said.
Shinsuke Minami, the resident of Isuzu, added that he believes that various powertrain options will be needed to achieve a carbon-neutral society, given the many different circumstances around the world.
“For diesel engines as well, it is necessary to continuously introduce new products with low CO2 emissions that comply with higher emission regulations, and we believe that the DB6A engine will secure our place in the market as the most advanced diesel engine in terms of emission control technology,” Minami san said.
Isuzu says it will continue to pursue partnerships that optimise the technological strengths of each company and to provide powertrains that meet the diverse needs of customers and address the needs of society as a whole.
Isuzu Australia execs briefed Australian truck media in Japan late last year on the new F Series models telling the media that the FSR/D, FV and FTS models will be equipped with the new 6.7-litre DB6A Euro-VI engine, manufactured and assembled at Isuzu’s Tochigi engine plant in Japan. They said the new Cummins powered Isuzus will all come equipped with fully automatic Allison transmissions for the Australian market.
“Our six-cylinder F Series model range with new engine is a first-class product and an outcome of the alliance with Cummins, representing one of the first major product initiatives from Isuzu Motors’ strategic partnerships,” IAL’s medium and heavy-duty product manager and chief engineer, Simon Humphries told Australian journalists.
“The medium-duty truck range has long benefitted from Isuzu’s expertise in incorporating industry benchmark components,” Humphries said.
“In our heavy-duty FX and FY model ranges, we’ll see the introduction of our Euro-VI (Step C) 6UZ1 Isuzu engine and once again, a shift to auto only with Allison HD4430 across all models,” he continued.
“The trucks will also receive higher capacity Meritor steer axles and Meritor full-air disc brakes on all axles, plus a comprehensive ADAS suite.
“Our entire new release builds on our story of application engineered trucks that deliver on the promise of reliability.
“We’re confident that the next-generation Isuzu truck range will meet and exceed the expectations of our customers for years to come,” he concluded.
