2004 Isuzu KB

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...

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.

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.

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: