Isuzu Truck’s N-Series low cab forward medium-duty truck for model year 2008 will feature more cab room, more power and enhanced safety features, the truck maker said Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. The N-Series also meets more stringent federal and California diesel emissions requirements that took effect at the beginning of this year.
“As with other recent enhancements, the all-new N-Series was developed with direct input from those who know this vehicle best – our customers,” says Joe Totaro, executive vice president and general manager for General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck. “It’s why we say that the 2008 N-Series was designed by our customers, for our customers.”
The greatest focus in the 2008 model enhancements was driver comfort. Features include an improved cab mounting that delivers a smoother ride and a larger cab with more side-to-side and front-to-back room, providing more seat travel and increased head, shoulder and leg room. To help with ingress and egress, the 85-degree swing-out door opening is wider, as is the self-cleaning entry step.
Other changes to improve driver convenience include:
While reducing emissions, the overhead cam 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged, intercooled, diesel engine in the 2008 model N-Series features an increase in horsepower to 205 at 2400 rpm – up from 190 hp. Torque increases to 441 lb.-ft. at 1850, up from 387. The engine covers GVW ranges from 12,000 to 19,500 pounds and has a B10 durability rating of 310,000 miles, meaning 90 percent of the engines should reach this mileage before a major component failure, assuming that good maintenance practices have been followed.
Isuzu N-Series diesel models include the NPR, NPR HD (regular and crew cab) NQR (regular and crew cab) and NRR.
For Isuzu N-Series customers who prefer a gasoline engine, NPR and NPR HD models are available with the Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine. For 2008, the Vortec 6.0L delivers 325 horsepower – 25 more than the previous version – and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. These models are mated to the Hydra-Matic 4L80 four-speed automatic with lockup torque converter and overdrive.
