Wheels24
flew to Walvis Bay in Namibia and then out into the desert near Swakopmunt to drive the new vehicles, and we can tell you they feel firmer and definitely more spacious.However, proper driving impressions will have to wait until we get the vehicles for road test as the "launch" was oriented more towards dealers than motoring journalists, with commensurate restrictions on the amount and type of driving involved.
A short 4x4 course and "gymkhana" activities, though fun, leave you with little impression of what the vehicles are like to drive in normal conditions.
And, in fact, we spent more time in previous-generation models than in the new ones...
Space cab
The current line-up includes both single cab and double cab models, in 4x2 and 4x4, and although no "Space Cab" (as Isuzu calls it) "in between" versions are available at the moment, these may be added later if there is sufficient demand.
The latest, fifth generation, KB range is longer, wider, and higher.
It has a longer wheelbase and wider track than the vehicle it replaces, and this provides a strong presence on the road, and more interior space and comfort.
The all-new cab design provides a much enlarged interior with more headroom, more legroom (also at the rear for double cab models), and more shoulder room.
A big feature of the new KB range is that metal thickness has been increased, resulting in much more torsional stiffness than before, as well as better dent resistance.
The chassis has also been strengthened, although chief engineer John Sadler stresses this is as much a factor of the larger body size as anything else.
Other plus factors on the new vehicles include push-button "on the fly" 4x4 selection on top models, and the inclusion of a factory-fitted spare wheel lock (operated via the ignition key) across the range.
The vehicles in detail
General Motors SA wants to become no. 1 in South Africa in the LCV market, led by the new KB series and by a new Opel Corsa pickup to be launched in August this year, and as a result it has re-aligned the KB range to place more emphasis on the petrol market than before.
Isuzu already leads in the diesel pickup sector.
Thus we see very keen pricing in the petrol line-up, coupled with more features for the money and more powerful engines across the range. GM also retains the vehicle's competitiveness in the diesel sector, where its engines are among the most powerful.
Petrol engine power is boosted from 80 kW to 88 kW in the 2-litre model, from 85 to 94 kW in the 2.4-litre version, and the new 3.5-litre V6 engine, which replaces the previous 3.2-litre model, gives a massive 147 kW, up from 132 kW.
The diesel range starts with a new 2.5-litre altitude compensated low-pressure turbo-charged diesel engine which boosts power on the entry-level diesel from 52 kW to 58 kW, although for high altitude users this is effectively an extra 19% power.
The 3-litre turbo-diesel now pushes out more torque lower down.
Its output of 96 kW is unchanged, but the manual version now makes 280 Nm of torque at 2 000 r/min, (up from 265 Nm) while on the automatic gearbox version torque is boosted further to 294 Nm at 2 000 r/min to improve driveability and negate losses associated with the auto gearbox torque converter.
A big running cost factor is that all diesels now have 10 000 km oil change service intervals and 20 000 km normal service intervals, reducing running costs and more importantly, expensive downtime.
GM hopes to bolster its sales this year in the one-ton sector from last year's 1 000 a month to 1 200 a month by end of 2005, although currently it is running much higher than that thanks to a keen runout strategy for the old KB and advance orders for the new pickup to the end of the year.
Diesel range
This range of 10 models starts off with the 2.5Dc Base model powered by Isuzu's 2.5-litre compensated direct injection engine that delivers 58 kW at 3 800 r/min and 170 Nm of torque at 1 800 r/min. As mentioned, the beauty of this engine is that it does not suffer power loss at altitude.
Transmission is five-speed manual. An electro-pneumatic differential lock is available as an on cost factory option.
Standard features include:
Staying with the 2.5Dc engine the next specification level offered in the Isuzu KB range is the LE derivative. Three models are offered with this specification level, a Single Cab 4X2, a Double Cab 4X2, and a Single Cab 4X4. Both 4X2 models are "high Ride" specification.
In addition to the features of the base model this specification level adds the following items:
In addition the 2.5Dc Double Cab LE variant has the following as standard equipment:
Moving up an engine size to the 3.0TDi turbo-charged and inter-cooled direct injection diesel engine the Isuzu KB Fleetside is the base model. The 3.0 TDi engine develops 96 kW at 3 800 r/min and maximum torque of 280 Nm at 2 000 r/min. This model shares the base model 2.5Dc specification but has the following additional features:
A Single Cab LE specification variant is available with the 3.0TDi engine and 4X4 transmission. The specification of this model is as for the 2.5Dc model with the following additions:
The top of the range specification models in the range carry the Isuzu KB LX designation. The diesel engine range includes four LX derivatives, all powered by the Isuzu 3.0TDi engine.
These four models are Single Cab LX 4X2; Double Cab LX 4X2; Double Cab LX 4X2 Automatic (this derivative has an additional 14 Nm of torque available with maximum torque of 294 Nm at 2000 r/min); and Double Cab LX 4X4. Features added at the LX specification level include:
The three LX specification Double Cab models in the diesel range have the following added:
All diesel derivatives have a 12 month/20 000 km service interval with a 10 000 km oil change interval. As with all vehicles in this new model range they are covered by a 3 year/100 000 km warranty and a 3 year anti-corrosion warranty. Free Roadside Assistance is included in the warranty package.
Petrol range
The petrol range offers a choice of six model derivatives with three engine sizes - all featuring multi point fuel injection - a choice of Single Cab or Double Cab and Base, LE, or LX specification level. As with the diesel range, all models are long wheelbase configuration.
The petrol ranges starts with an entry level 2-litre model (for introduction in November 2004) with maximum power of 88 kW at 5 400 r/min and peak torque of 174 Nm at 3 200 r/min. This model has essentially the same features package as the base model diesel derivative. These features include:
Moving up to the 2.4 litre petrol engine derivatives the first model in the range is the KB 2.4 Fleetside. Maximum power is 94 kW at 4 800 r/min and torque is 207 Nm at 3 200 r/min. Added features over and above the base specification are:
Three LE specification variants are offered, all powered by the 2.4 litre engine. These are a Single Cab LE 4X2, a Single Cab LE 4X2, and a Double Cab 4X2. The specification added at this level includes:
In addition the 2.4 Double Cab LE variant has the following as standard equipment:
The top of the range petrol derivative in the new Isuzu KB range is the 3.5-litre engine Double Cab LX. Maximum power delivered by this latest generation all aluminium V6 from Isuzu is 147 kW at 5 400 r/min with maximum torque of 280 Nm at 3 000 r/min. Features added at this level include:
All petrol models have a 12 month/15 000 km service and oil change interval. As with all vehicles in this new model range they are covered by a 3 year/100 000 km warranty and a 3 year anti-corrosion warranty. Free Roadside Assistance is included in the warranty package.
Prices
Petrol |
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KB 240i LWB Fleetside |
R147 949 |
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KB 240i LWB LE |
R158 916 |
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KB 240i LWB LE A/C |
R165 756 |
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KB 240i 4x4 LE |
R205 371 |
||
KB 240i Double Cab LE |
R214 605 |
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KB 350i V6 Double Cab LX |
R249 329 |
Diesel |
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KB 250c LWB |
R152 577 |
||
KB 250c LWB LE |
R169 073 |
||
KB 250c LWB A/C |
R175 913 |
||
KB 250c 4x4 LE |
R224 745 |
||
KB 250c Double Cab LE |
R219 108 |
||
KB 300 TDi LWB Fleetside |
R175 765 |
||
KB 300 TDi LWB Fleetside A/C |
R182 605 |
||
KB 300 TDi LWB LX |
R215 665 |
||
KB 300 TDi 4x4 LE |
R240 631 |
||
KB 300 TDi 4x4 LE A/C |
R247 471 |
||
KB 300 TDi Double Cab LX |
R264 662 |
||
KB 300 TDi Double Cab LX auto |
R272 460 |
||
KB 300 TDi Double Cab 4x4 LX |
R323 133 |