Gas-Powered, that is!

If you thought the 2011 N-Series truck news is good… well, here’s a preview of the 2012 model year: Isuzu and General Motors have reached an agreement for the supply of the GM gas engines and transmissions used for Isuzu’s gas-powered NPR, NPR HD and gas Crew Cab models – so gas-powered N-Series trucks will be coming your way early in the second quarter of 2011.

Here are the highlights:

• Most specifications of the Isuzu gas truck remain unchanged from the previous offerings
• 6.0-liter V-8 engine
  • 325 hp and 360 lbs.-ft. of torque
  • 6-speed automatic transmission – standard on the 2012 model year trucks
• The assembly plant for the gas-powered N-Series will be named at a later date

Add it all up, and it’s great news for you because you will have access to a full line of trucks that offer exceptional fuel economy, low emissions and longterm durability.

How does the Isuzu Gas Crew Cab stack up against the Ford F450 Gas Crew Cab?

• The Isuzu LCF truck with a shorter wheelbase of 176” handles a body length up to 16,’ versus the Ford with a 200” wheelbase that can handle a body length up to only 12’.
• Even with Isuzu accommodating a longer body, the Isuzu truck offers a curb-to-curb turning radius 6’ shorter than the Ford.
• Although the Isuzu truck is rated at 14,500 lbs and the Ford at 15,000 lbs, the Ford weighs about 1200 lbs more. This provides Isuzu with 700 lb. greater payload.
• The Isuzu Gas Crew Cab features the dependable 6.0 Liter Gas Engine and 4L80 Automatic Transmission. The Ford comes with a V-10 (20% more parts) and the Ford Automatic transmission. Although the Ford has more horsepower, for a vehicle that is static most of the day, this offers no value!

These great vehicles are ready now, and have aggressive pricing with competitive finance and lease terms!

Some buyers totally love diesel and others want a gasoline-powered truck. Truth is, depending on the application, the gas engine may be ideal... or the diesel might be the better fit.

Reality check #1:

Today, diesels trucks cost more – lots more – than a comparable gasoline- powered model. That’s because all new diesels must meet the new NOx and particulate emissions standards set by the EPA – and that affects every diesel on the road. In addition, with larger EGR coolers, closed crankcase ventilation and more complex ECUs and sensors to control regeneration of the particulate filter, today’s modern diesel engine has become more sophisticated (and more expensive to build).

Reality check #2:

A diesel engine offers a longer service life. Typically, they are rated to 300,000 miles. But this Vortec 6.0L V-8 has a 200,000-mile design life. And, an amazing 97% of all Isuzu gasoline trucks ever sold in America since 1993 are still registered today – so they deliver proven reliability. How long do you intend to keep the truck? If it’s going to be low mileage, around 30,000 miles per year, then the gasoline model makes more sense.

Reality check #3:

People tend to think diesel trucks get better fuel economy. They do... under certain conditions. A truck operator can see up to a 30% increase in fuel economy with a diesel – but not if they are using it in a “stop and go” situation where the engine has to be shut off when you reach your location. For that type of application, gasoline is better, which is why it’s perfect for contractors: They drive it to a job site... park... work... then get back in to go home. Load also affects fuel economy – a diesel engine might excel with an exceptionally heavy load, but for most of the applications outlined in this article, working with lighter loads, the gasoline powered N-Series will deliver fuel economy comparable to the diesel engine.

Reality check #4:

Gasoline trucks are more user friendly – they operate just like a car: You can stop at any gas station and top off, just like a car. They sound just like a car. They smell just like a car. And typically, gas engines boast higher horsepower ratings, which help acceleration while on the road. And in most parts of the country, unleaded regular gas is less expensive than diesel – so every time you fill up a gas truck, it costs less.

Reality check #5:

Gas vs. diesel often comes down to purchase price vs. cost of ownership. Diesel engines are more expensive than gas engines because their higher operating pressures require stronger blocks turbochargers, intercoolers and high-pressure injection systems also add to the cost and now, there are the further costs of aftertreatment systems. The truth is, if you haul larger loads, there is no alternative to diesel. But for low-mileage applications with relatively light loads, a gas-powered truck is perfect, especially if you only log 30,000 miles a year or less – then, the operating expense becomes relatively small vs. the buy-in for a diesel. An ideal application would be a contractor who tows a skid-steer loader, doesn’t need a PTO, and has the truck sitting on the jobsite for much of the time. The N-Series Crew Cab design could provide you with more payload, and passenger-carrying capacity!

Here’s the Top 5 countdown of gasoline engine advantages:

5. Gas engines have much greater torque rise, which results in “snappy” vehicle acceleration.

4. In equivalent applications, and designed to equivalent standards, the gasoline engine is lighter than a diesel engine. That’s why they’re favored for vehicles, aircraft and hand-held applications. A 6.2 GM diesel weighs about 160 lb. more than the equivalent 350 cu. in. gas engine.

3. MONEY! Because gasoline engines do not have to withstand the combustion ratio of a diesel and do not require the precision fuel injection system a diesel needs, they cost about 60% less to build than a diesel.

2. Live in a cold climate? Anyone who’s tried to start a diesel engine on a cold winter morning knows the winner here. Diesels don’t have spark plugs like gasoline engines do–so when it’s cold (below 30), the air isn’t hot enough to ignite the diesel fuel. Put simply, gas engines start easier in cold weather.

And the #1 reason:

MONEY, again! Bottom line, a gasoline-powered N-Series Crew Cab costs considerably less than the same truck with a diesel engine. Why? Because gasoline engines emit less oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter than diesels, so to make diesels “cleaner” to pass the new EPA regulations, the engines have to be fitted with sophisticated after treatment systems that add dollars to the base cost of the diesel engine.

The bottom line is that this Gas-powered Crew Cab truck is the perfect truck for any application that requires a crew – particularly if they start at Point A… drive to Point B, park and do their work, then get back in the truck and drive back to Point A! For those types of applications, the gas V8 is the ideal engine.

In fact, here are a couple of key points to remember why customers select a gasoline-powered truck:

• Convenience – yes, in many areas, there are gas stations on every corner, while diesel can be harder to find.
• Cost – in most parts of the country, regular unleaded gasoline costs less than diesel.
• Maintenance – it’s easier to find a technician who knows how to work on a gasoline engine than a diesel engine.

New Cab Design

Based on the “Hexapod Design Concept” the cab has been completely redesigned to meet the needs of today’s truck operators. The new design concept brings maximum space to the cab interior while creating a bold look for the cab exterior. The exclusive Hexacube cab features unitary construction and increased rigidity for safety and a smoother, more comfortable ride.

The new cab roof cap is designed to channel water off of the roof to the side of the cab. This improves driver visibility in wet weather. Another key feature, the windshield is bonded to the cab for increased cab rigidity, less wind noise, and reduced chance of water leaks.

Large, Spacious Cab

Your customers will also discover that there’s a lot more space for heads, shoulders and legs. With more side-to-side and front-to-back space, and increased leg space for center crew cab, comfortable seating is available for a crew of seven. Storage has been increased with newly created areas overhead, behind the driver’s seat, and on the door panels. The instrument panel is more ergonomic and is designed for improved visibility. For easy routine maintenance, key fluid checks are located inside the cab.

High-Back Front Seats

With back pockets, tricot breathable cloth seats, and a new seatbelt design with the buckle in the seat for easier operation, this new design provides greater driver comfort, easier seat belt usage, and additional interior storage. The front seat has 36 mm more seat travel and reclines an additional 4.8 degrees. The Tricot seat material provides cooler seats in the summer and warmer seats in winter months.

Removable Front Panel

Allows access to wiper motor, wiper linkage, electrical cab connections and air intake filters. Also less costly replacement cost.

Low Cut Front Door Windows

Large, low cut windows for better side visibility.

New Side View Mirrors

Mirrors have breakaway function to protect side doors, allow vehicle in tighter places, and improve visibility and safety. Large West Coast style 17” x 8” mirror heads incorporate an 11” x 7” flat glass mirror and a 4” x 6” convex mirror into one mirror head.

New, Wider Step and Door Opening (384 mm vs. 301 mm)

85-Degree swing-out door opening and wide self-cleaning entry step allows for easier access in and out of the cab.

Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column

Allows for easier access and driver comfort.

Frame Strength, Width and Length

The N-Series crew cab features a 44,000-psi frame for greater strength. The 33.5 in. frame width is standard and allows for common body installation procedures. A new frame with 80/40 mm modular hole spacing also assists in making body mounting easier and faster for equipment suppliers. Wheelbases of 150.0 in. and 176.0 in. accommodate bodies 12 -16 ft. or longer for landscape applications with dove/beaver tail bodies.

Front Axle

6,830 lb. capacity Reverse Elliott I Beam maintains wheel alignment for less tire wear. Can handle large front axle loads.

Rear Axle

11,020 lb. capacity heavy-duty full floating Banjo type for greater durability and load carrying capacity.

Bring on the Competition

The number one competitors in the gas-powered crew cab segment are the Ford F-Series trucks. That’s because the Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks are the largest volume sellers of crew cab trucks in class 4 and 5.

• Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks use a pickup truck-based conventional cab
• Standard engine in the Ford F-350/F-450 Crew Cab is a 6.8L V10 gasoline engine