G R
NEWS Huntingwood
Dealer Licence No: 13965 MVRL No: 29259
The Truck People
JUNE 2016
G R
NEWS
In the same year, Sir Frederick Sutton, the founder and chairman of the Sutton’s Group, officially opened Gilbert & Roach’s 10-acre Huntingwood dealership and service centre, and the company remains today one of Australia’s few family owned truck dealerships.
Welcome once again to G&R News and the opportunity to highlight all the great things that are happening at Huntingwood in this, our sixth issue.
In the course of our 70-year history, the industry, and the products we sell and maintain have changed tremendously. But one factor remains unchanged. The strength and future of the Gilbert & Roach business depends on its ability to provide you with the very best levels of customer service throughout all the brands it sells, services and maintains. I trust that your experience of working with our company more than lives up to our company philosophy.
We are particularly proud of our heritage and, as we celebrate our 70th year, we can look back to the year the company was founded.
We are proud to be able to profile some of our customers in each issue of G&R News, and in this issue we include details of Mulgoa Excavations and the new flagship T950 Legend that’s recently joined their fleet.
In 1946, when Gilbert & Roach was established, the business involved engines, but they were nothing like the high-powered diesels we deal with today. We delved into our official archives and found a report in The Cumberland Argus for Wednesday, February 15th 1956, and distributed through the local Parramatta area, that Gilbert & Roach of 346 Church Street, Parramatta could boast thousands of satisfied customers. That’s quite an accolade, but we should also clarify that the happy customers in those days were all satisfied users of the VICTA 18 ROTOMO petrol lawn mower! In 1975, the Sutton’s Group purchased Gilbert & Roach, and under the new management, the company introduced Isuzu to the Australian market, growing sales from 300 units per year to more than 700, making Gilbert & Roach Australia’s top selling Isuzu dealership. From small beginnings with the sales of Victa lawnmowers, Gilbert & Roach geared up for the 1980s to become one of Sydney’s leading truck centres, opening a new $2 million site at 167 Parramatta Road, Homebush. This new home for Gilbert & Roach was focussed on General Motors Truck Sales and was dedicated to Isuzu TruckPower, Holden Commercials, Bedford TruckPower, Chevrolet TruckPower and Holden industrial engines. With a 2.5-acre site, purpose built to supply Sydney with every type of commercial vehicle, Gilbert & Roach was proud to acknowledge it had developed an on-site, comprehensive stock inventory of $1.5 million worth of truck parts comprised of 24,000 separate stock lines. In June 1981, Gilbert & Roach acquired the Kenworth franchise and since that time it has proudly represented this Australian designed and built heavy-truck market leader.
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In April 2001, Gilbert & Roach subsequently acquired the DAF franchise from PACCAR, the Kenworth and Peterbilt parent company that had purchased the DAF Company in 1996.
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Brandster Services is a very specialised company using vacuum tankers for the removal of effluent and contaminated ground water. The DAF CF85 is a great favourite and the company has recently doubled its fleet size, adding more prime movers and a purpose-built 8x4 rigid that tows a three-axled dog trailer. Isuzu continues its amazing sales performance and in 2016 records its 27th consecutive year of market leadership. Read about the new F-Series model improvements and range additions. Isuzu has certainly pioneered ready to work, pre-bodied trucks and the latest model to join the range is the NLR 450 SERVICEPACK. As featured on our cover, the SERVICEPACK has the potential to be a real game changer for customers looking for the ideal combination of ute, work-truck and tradies special. The ISUZU MU-X is the SUV version of the D-Max, and here we profile some of the great reasons why this tough but gentle SUV is winning more friends every month. When you combine the legendary strength of the D-MAX in a versatile seven-seat passenger vehicle, capable of heading off road as well as excelling on the highway, it has to be a winner. Finally, here’s an opportunity for all our customers to save their dollars through attending our annual pallet sale. Take a note of the date, it’s Saturday, June 18. Make sure you join us at Huntingwood so you can enjoy the huge array of discount price specials on the day. Kind regards,
Gary Melrose
- Dealer Principal
DON’T MISS
(Gilbert_and_Roach_Pallet_Sale_June_18th)
IT’S
time for some great bargains at Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood with the annual pallet sale. This is a day not to be missed!
The G&R pallet sale was originally developed many years ago and has since grown into an opportunity for G&R to open up our stock inventory to provide our customers with real cost savings.
The sale covers all brands – Kenworth, DAF, Isuzu and Isuzu Ute – with general service items, brake drums, brake shoes, oil filters, air filters, and even gearboxes. Customers can collect their purchases on the day or G&R can deliver to their door. We deliver anything and everything from five litres of oil upwards. We look forward to meeting you on June 18th.
With up to 600 customers joining us throughout the day, the pallet sale provides an opportunity to stock up your own parts inventory or buy the accessories that you’ve been thinking about but not got around to purchasing. It’s also a great day for catching up with friends in the industry and to talk with our experts about new developments and product upgrades. Join us for a sausage sizzle through the day and take the opportunity to talk to representatives from the engine and transmission suppliers as well as our own team of professionals. Everything is on sale, and with some discounts reaching 15 percent we guarantee that everyone will find something that tempts them and at the same time saves them dollars.
FINANCE At Gilbert & Roach Finance we are dedicated to finding you the best financial solutions for you and your business. We are able to develop a customised funding solution to suit your business needs for all new & used vehicle purchases. Our finance team are available every day so please call and let us help simplify your next vehicle purchase.
FINANCE IS AVAILABLE TO APPROVED APPLICANTS ONLY CONTACT:
Jennifer Wilson PH: 8825 3008 E: jennifer.wilson@gandr.com.au
GILBERT & ROACH
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ack in 1998, Daniel Buttigieg bought his first Kenworth, a 1974 W-model. “The W-model was powered by a 350 hp Cummins motor and was matched to a tri-axled float. That was the start of Mulgoa Excavations and I still have both the truck and the float in my fleet today,” said Daniel.
“I’ve always only ever bought Kenworth. I’ve kept on buying them ever since my first W-model, and today I’ve got 23 in the fleet. We’ve continued to add new vehicles to update the fleet, and because they’re kept in top condition they just keep working. If I need another truck we add on another new one, and that’s the key to our growth. “With the exception of the original W-model, which remains a prime mover for work with the tri-axled float, all the remaining vehicles in the fleet are configured as rigid truck tipper and dog trailer applications, with four truck and quad dog units operating under PBS requirements. Two of the PBS-approved quad dogs are by Hamelex White with one by Muscat Trailers
“We have a range of Kenworths including three T408s, one T409, plus T402s, K200s, T609s, a T950 and of course the original W-model. We are currently rebuilding an original T601 as a project to restore the vehicle so that it can return to the fleet and continue to earn its living. Grant Engineering supplied the tipper body on our T609, and our quad float trailer was supplied by Midland Engineering of Parkes,” said Daniel. “I’ve always liked the look of the T950, and this year we took advantage of the limited production run done by Kenworth to commemorate the T950, and bought a T950 Legend from Gilbert & Roach, complete with bodywork by Muscat Trailers. “This is the flagship of the fleet, although it has to work every day like the others. It has all the original features, such as the old-style replica Kenworth and Cummins badges plus the special interior with the Limited Edition numbering.
LOVING THE
LEGEND
MULGOA EXCAVATIONS MAKES THE T950 LEGEND THE FLAGSHIP OF THE FLEET 4
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CLEAN LIVING It’s powered by a Cummins ISX at 600 hp with an 18-speed manual Roadranger. “Kenworth chose not to offer the Legend T950 with an automated manual gearbox for reasons of authenticity. We have, however, already made the move to introduce Eaton AMTs in the fleet, starting with an AutoShift, and this has since developed into our ordering the latest transmissions, being the two-pedal UltraShift PLUS. “The T609 is such a quiet truck and the quality is excellent. We split our truck buying between cabovers and conventionals to take advantage of
the tighter turning radius of the cabover. Kenworth is a relatively simple technology and better built than other trucks we’ve looked at. They are also easy to fix should something go wrong,” he added. “The K200 is a big step forwards. It runs on parabolic leaf springs at the front, rather than the multi-leaf springs we have as standard on other vehicles. I thought the ride quality would suffer with the cabover, but it’s really very good. “Much of our work is completed off-road, and that’s why we go for a generally tougher specification. All our fleet, except for the K200, the 404 and the 402, have multi-leaf springs, and we use air-bag suspension on all vehicles except for the W-model and the K100, which are fitted with six-rod suspension. “The PBS-approved tippers and quad dog trailers are fitted with ABS and we specify loadproportioning valves rather than EBS on the grounds of simplicity.
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“We know where our niche is within the market and we specialise in civil construction projects, adding to our fleet with additional subcontractors to cater for different requirements. “We are now one of Sydney’s largest tipper and excavator hire operations, and we ensure maximum vehicle and plant utilisation all the time. We are also NHVAS accredited,” said Daniel. “We are looking ahead at what we believe will be a strong year in business. Every one of the team is well aware that if we do a good job, we’ll get the work,” added Daniel.
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PREMIUM USED TRUCKS 2011 FSR ISUZU 850
2014 DAF FAPLF55 E18
$164,900
$85,900 Kilometres: 88,000 Reg #: TBA Stock #: N/A
Kilometres: 100 Reg #: TBA Stock #: 0301313
Single Cab with 7.7 m dropside steel tray, 14 tonne GVM. Workshop tested and mechanically sound.
2014-plated. New all truck body built 2015. Hanging gates Blue curtains. 280 hp 9-speed Eaton gearbox. Disc brakes all round. Lift-up pusher axle. Sleeper cabin with fold down bed.
2013 MITSUBISHI FIGHTER FM600 PANTECH
2009 HINO 300 SERIES 516 TIPPER
$49,900
$114,900 Kilometres: 68,684 Reg #: IC01CO Stock #: 0315629
Kilometres: 144,900 Reg #: XAU129 Stock #: 0315618
Nine-speed Eaton Box, Anteo 1.5-t upright remote lifter acting as rear doors. Pan is 48 cu.m, has side door on passenger at rear and four chrome under-body tool boxes.
Factory tipper. 7500 kg GVM. six-speed manual. Good km’s for age of truck. 160 hp turbo diesel. Hungry boards fitted to tipper. Workshop checked.
2009 ISUZU FVM 1400
2012 ISUZU NPR200 CAB CHASSIS
$114,900
$53,900
Kilometres: 267,855 Reg #: TBA Stock #: 0315651
Kilometres: 51,271 Reg #: 1DXM773 Stock #: 0315626
12 tonne GVM. 2 tonne Anteo up right tail lift with Barn doors at rear, 9-speed manual, hanging gates checkerplate floor. Truck workshop checked and roadworthy.
AMT auto. Climate control air con. Power steer. Reversing camera. Can Be 4495 kg GVM (car licence) or 5500 kg GVM. Toddco rear roller door.
FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT: Wayne Simpson: 0407 515 425 John Karpis: 0417 171 619
Sold fully roadworthy with 12 months unlimited-kilometre driveline warranty supplied by National Warranty. Conditions apply. Price includes GST but does not include registration or stamp duty.
GILBERT & ROACH
DEMAND F For Sydney-based Brandster Services, a DAF fleet is the right way forwards
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ccording to Jeff Brandstater, director of Brandster Services of St. Marys, the DAF product is about as good as it gets in the world of transport.
“From a fleet owners point of view, the DAFs are a magic truck. All the intricacies of technology that can cause a fleet operator a problem are controlled, meaning that with the AS-Tronic automated manual transmission you, can’t miss a gear and you can’t over-rev the engine,” said Jeff. Recent expansion has seen the number of DAF CF85s in the fleet now double to six units, with three B-double rated 6x4 prime movers hauling tri-axled vacuum tankers. Our 8x4 rigid truck, coupled up to three-axled dog trailer, both feature vacuum tank bodies and this is capable of carrying a combined volume of 30,000 litres of product. 8
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“We made the decision to standardise on DAF products, although we still have a couple of other makes in our fleet,” said Roy Jackson, the company’s fleet manager. “Generally speaking our vehicles usually leave the depot empty and return laden and a typical weekly operating distance per vehicle would be 1000 kms. Our eldest vehicle in the fleet has now completed 500,000km without any significant problems. “Through a live feed satellite tracking system we monitor where they are and how long they have stopped at a location. We can use that information for data logging and to determine service intervals. Each truck is fitted with a BlackVue dash camera to record traffic movements ahead of the vehicle and to safeguard our drivers against unwarranted claims. In the event of an incident it clarifies just how the event occurred.
CLEAN LIVING
FOR DAF
“Two of the new DAFs have 7-inch screens and this can be used for linking additional cameras into the system for blind spot monitoring. We specify the AS-tronic automated manual transmission throughout the fleet, with the 6x4 prime movers using the 12-speed version and the 8x4s using the 16-speed gearbox. “From a service perspective we do most of the maintenance in-house, the only exception being for the more heavy work which is completed by the dealership at Gilbert & Roach. We have bought our own diagnostic reader machine to ensure we have access to fault code identification, and this has been a worthwhile strategy as it enables us to clear minor fault codes without the vehicle having to go to the dealership.
“DAF now puts disc brakes on all axles, and with the DAF airbag rear suspension fitted as standard, we are able to drop the ride height some 300 mm when discharging by using the ECAS controller in the vehicle cab. This enables us to achieve a better relationship of the angle of the chassis when discharging product. When the unloading process is complete, the automatic air bag levelling system makes it easier to couple up between truck and trailer. “Our new eight-wheeler also features the brand new EBS-equipped disc brake set-up on all axles including roll stability control, together with adaptive cruise control. With the new AdBlue SCR engine the latest truck is showing fuel economy improvements of 20 percent, including the use of AdBlue. GILBERT & ROACH JUNE 2016
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DAF DETAILS “Gilbert & Roach sell a good product and the sales people like Ray Casley, the DAF Sales Specialist, are really good. Ray is very down to earth and he’s someone you can talk to. DAF, as it has grown, has taken the chance to improve, and attitudes are changing, especially with the DAF parts appearing to be more reasonably priced than other European makes,” said Roy. Brandster Services specialises in the removal of effluent from locations across Sydney that are not connected to the conventional mains sewage treatment system. The company also removes wastewater conforming to J120 pollution levels that are collected from car wash or vehicle maintenance outlets where oil and water requires separation, purification and disposal. The actual removal of waste products from septic tanks and collection points is only one part of the process these days. The effective treatment of the effluent or separation of fluids from solids and subsequent purification is the other. Recent expansion has seen the company increase its storage facility by an additional 500,000 litres capacity and the implementation of the latest technology to process and treat effluent and wastewater is now controlled by electronic management systems that automatically open and shut air-operated valves. “Our vehicle fleet presentation is a highly important part of how we operate,” said Jeff Brandstater. “The image we present to our customers is of brightly coloured, smart and immaculately clean vehicles that complete the operation without fuss and bother,” he said.
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The DAF CF is available in 4x2 and 6x4 configuration and configured as a day cab, a sleeper cab or a space cab. The DAF MX 12.9 litre is available with power outputs of 360/408 and 462 hp at 1,500-1,900 rpm with corresponding peak torque ratings of up to 2,300 Nm at 1,000-1,410 rpm. Transmission options includes the ZF AS-Tronic 12-speed and 16-speed overdrive automated manual and the Eaton Roadranger 18-speed manual constant mesh gearbox. The front suspension features parabolic type leaf springs while the rear suspension is air suspended featuring an eight airbag design. Safety features includes a full electronic braking system with anti-lock braking, anti-slip control, drag torque control, hill start aid and brake assist. Driver support systems include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and vehicle stability control, SRS airbag and seat belt pre-tensioners.
PREMIUM USED TRUCKS 2012 ISUZU FSS550 TABLE TOP
2010 KENWORTH T908 PRIME MOVER
$99,000
$159,900
Kilometres: 60,297 Reg #: SB29FU Stock #: 0315621
Kilometres: 885,470 Reg #: CG42DE Stock #: 0315638
4X4 Dual Cab service truck HIAB 330T crane, seven-seater, two toolboxes, reverse camera, two spares. Workshop tested and all mechanically sound.
97,000 kg GCM. Cummins Signature 600 EGR engine with 50-inch bunk. Meritor RT46-160GP Diffs. 18 speed Roadranger. White in colour. Black chassis. Barup Texas Bar. TV in cab.
2007 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY PRIME MOVER
2012 ISUZU NPR200 CAB CHASSIS
$69,900
$53,900
Kilometres: 771,910 Reg #: TJC101 Stock #: 0315554
Kilometres: 48,655 Reg #: 1DXT709 Stock #: 0315617
Big cab. 140,000 kg GCM RT-52-185 Diffs. CAT C16 600 hp Motor. Set up for heavy haulage. Very well maintained truck. Sold fully roadworthy.
Very low km’s. Six-pallet body. Swing gates. Toddco rear door. Reversing camera. AMT auto. Suspension driver’s seat.
2012 hino table top
2014 ISUZU FTS 800 Dual Cab 4x4
$58,900
$119,900
Kilometres: 55,440 Reg #: TBA Stock #: 0315484
Kilometres: 100 Reg #: TBA Stock #: 0315611
Very low km’s. Steel tray with tool boxes. Reversing camera. Blind-spot camera. Seven-seater. Current shape Hino.
Ex Isuzu Australia demo. This truck is brand new and has only 99 km on it. Five-speed Allison auto. 13,900 kg GVM. Comes with remainder of new truck warranty.
FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT: Wayne Simpson: 0407 515 425 John Karpis: 0417 171 619
Sold fully roadworthy with 12 months unlimited-kilometre driveline warranty supplied by National Warranty. Conditions apply. Price includes GST but does not include registration or stamp duty.
GILBERT & ROACH
Isuzu shows its clever thinking with upgrades to the F-Series
PERFECT TIMING 12 GILBERT & ROACH JUNE 2016
CLEAN LIVING
With 27 years of consecutive market leadership, Isuzu continues to refine and improve its model range for the Australian market.
B
eing astute in business is all about having an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage. With a track record of holding the number-one slot in truck sales for a continuous 27 years, there’s little doubt that “being astute” sums up how Isuzu Australia performs in our market.
To show how this sales record may continue to make three decades of market leadership, G&R News checked out the latest F-Series upgrades for the 2016 range. The F-Series is the bread winner of the Isuzu mediumduty product line-up, carrying everything and anything in a GVM weight range that runs from 10,700 kg right through to 26,000 kg and with GCMs that extend out to 36,000 kg. Externally, you might have to be an Isuzu aficionado to spot a new 2016 F-Series by outward appearance from 100 metres, but, once you start getting into the standard features of the engines and drivelines, plus the additional driver benefits included in the cab interior, there’s little doubt that the new product is way different from the one it replaces. Satellite navigation is now included in all 4x2 versions of the F-Series, and the screen, which doubles up as a multifunction display, is now larger. The anti-lock braking system has been upgraded to ABS 8 standards, and, for those sitting in the rear of the crew-cab version, the seats have been improved with additional padding and a revised angle for the seat backrest. And while on the subject of seat comfort, front-seat passengers can now option up to an ISRI 6860 air-suspended seat, just like the driver. Total cost of operation (TCO) also comes in for a review, with the elimination of oil drains at the first free service and an extension of oil drain intervals from 15,000 km out now to 20,000 km, plus there’s a new 90-amp alternator that puts out a 50 percent increase for some models.
There are two main engine options, and these are based around the 5.2-litre, four-cylinder, 4HK1 engine and the 7.8-litre, six-cylinder, 6HK1. Both are turbocharged and intercooled and neither uses Selective Catalytic Reduction emissions technology (SCR) that requires the use of AdBlue/DEF (diesel exhaust fluid). The 4HK1 comes in two power and torque ratings, either a 154 kW (210 PS) variant that produces 726 Nm of torque, or with 177 kW (or 240 PS) that produces 765 Nm of torque. The 154 kW engine features in the Isuzu FRR, FRD and FSS 4x4 with GVMs spanning 10.7 to 11 tonnes. When compared to the previous engine in this category, torque is increased by 14 percent, and the new two-stage turbo technology provides 45 percent more torque at 1000 revs per minute. The higher rated 177 kW version powers the FRR at 11 tonnes GVM, and FSR at 12 and 14 tonnes GVM, replacing the previous six-cylinder engine, yet offering the same peak power and up to 8.0 percent more torque.
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GILBERT & ROACH These power and torque gains are attributed to the use of a two-stage turbocharger that combines low and high-pressure turbines to increase torque levels at low engine speed. The common-rail injection pressure now runs 10 percent higher at 29,000 psi, the injectors themselves have an increased number of nozzles, the piston shape is changed, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is more accurately controlled, the intercooler size is increased by 10 percent and the intake cam profile is revised. Amidst these engineering upgrades, Isuzu is also claiming an overall reduction in fuel consumption of seven percent, of which three percent is attributed to the Idle Stop/ Start (ISS) system that cuts the engine when stationary in traffic, automatically restarting when required to move off. ISS is a standard feature now on all 4x2 models, except for those fitted with a power-take-off (PTO).
Keeping the rear-end cleaner and greener to match Euro 5 requirements results from the 4HK1 engine being fitted with an external injector for the diesel particulate diffuser (DPD) used in the emissions system. The new external injector eliminates oil dilution through the regeneration process. The 6HK1 engine available in various Isuzu FRR, FSR, FSD, FTR and FTS models generates 191 kW (260 PS) and 761 Nm of torque and again features an electronic control common-rail injection system with 10 percent higher injection pressure than its predecessor. A new injector design improves combustion efficiency for higher engine performance, lower emissions and lower fuel consumption. The exhaust and emissions system for the 6HK1 meets Euro 5 requirements and includes a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), meaning no selective catalytic reduction or DPD regenerations. As Isuzu is only too keen to point out, it’s the only medium-duty engine on the market with neither a diesel particulate filter nor SCR, meaning less driver intervention and less frequent service intervals.
The F-Series is the breadwinner of the Isuzu medium-duty product line-up with a GVM range from 10,700kg to 26,000kg and GCMs of 36,000kg .
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CLEAN LIVING
An important end-use feature of the DOC system is its suitability for applications where high idle times, high PTO use and frequent stop/starting are features. Council service and elevated work platform trucks are perfect examples of the suitable applications for the 6HK1 DOC. When it comes to transmissions, the 4HK1 engine can be mated to Isuzu’s new torque converter equipped automated manual transmission (TC-AMT) for all FRR and FSR models, whereas buyers of the 6HK1 will have the option of the Allison LCT 2500 and MD 3000 automatics. Alternatively, for those preferring manual gearboxes, there’s the choice of the sixspeed Isuzu MZW6 and the ZF nine-speed manual transmission, depending on model. Isuzu is the only Japanese brand on sale in Australia that uses Meritor axle and brake assemblies (on the FVR and FVD 4x2 models, FVL 6x2 and all FVZ or FVY 6x4s), with FV models fitted with Stemco Sentinel oil-filled hubs with Discover hub seals.
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GILBERT & ROACH suzu can rightfully claim to have held the numberone sales spot nationally, for the entire truck category, for 27 consecutive years. That solid performance results from the establishment of a management team that not only provides what the market requires, it adapts to maintain its edge as market leader.
Medium-weight trucks have featured ready-to-work tray bodies for some time, and we are all familiar with the factory-bodied, all-steel tippers that form the backbone of landscape gardening fleets across the country. It’s important for any trade buyer to consider how much weight their new vehicle is going to carry and how much space is needed in order not to run the risk of overloading. Equally important is the correlation of maximum towing weights and it should be realised that as the weight of the trailer nears maximum, the overall weight of the total combination has to balance the cargo weight in the towing vehicle against the weight of the load carried in the trailer.
The Isuzu NLR 45-150 SERVICEPACK starts its life as a cabover light truck, using a derivative of the bullet-proof 3.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that powers the Isuzu D-Max ute. At 3.0 litres, the version used in the NLR pumps out 110 kW at 2800 rpm and a peak torque rating of 375 Nm from 1600 to 2,800 rpm. Behind the engine sits the Isuzu MYY-6S six-speed automated manual transmission or a standard five-speed manual gearbox. The front suspension features a fully independent coil spring and wishbone design, much the same as the standard range of one-tonne utes, while at the rear is a standard “live” axle supported on taper-leaf springs. Unlike a lot of one-tonne utes, the NLR features disc brakes all round with the safety features of EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, traction control and stability control. With its Euro 5 exhaust emissions the NLR is cleaner than many passenger cars for tailpipe legislation, and inside the cab you get driver and passenger airbags,
TRADIE’S TREAT ISUZU’S NEW SERVICEPACK OFFERS NEW SOLUTIONS IN THE NLR RANGE 16 GILBERT & ROACH JUNE 2016
CLEAN LIVING
Everything carried by way of tools of the trade can be stored in the side lockers, which have adjustable shelving, chrome-plated cast hinges and LED lighting.
with seat belt pre-tensioners. Optional extras include an inbuilt satellite navigation system with three years of free updates, reversing sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, an airbag compatible bullbar and full connectivity should you wish to add direct feed to the dashboard screen from up to four camera inputs. All too often we hear of children being run over and killed by reversing vehicles. This inbuilt safety system with camera monitoring provides a real workplace safety benefit that is not easily available on standard vehicles. With its 6.2-inch touchscreen display, the sat/nav system links with integrated Bluetooth and voice recognition for a full digital audiovisual entertainment system that offers a storage capacity of up to 4.0 Gb for music files, plus USB/ SD card and other auxiliary input connection options. But what makes the NLR SERVICEPACK of significant interest is that it comes pre-bodied with a full Australian-built service body featuring eight lockers, LED lighting inside each locker, an ADR compliant towbar with integrated steps, optional ladder racks and a secure load space area running up the centre of the tray between each of the banks of side lockers that is fitted with load restraint hooks. Everything carried by way of tools of the trade can be stored in the side lockers, out of sight from interested parties and with theft prevented by a single remote locking function from the vehicle key fob that locks all side lockers as well as the cabin doors. Each locker features adjustable shelving with chrome plated cast hinges. In addition to the almost 3.0 cu.m of lockable storage, the centre strip on the tray offers a flat storage area of 1800 x 1000 mm with barn door type latched gates at the rearmost end. With a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4500 kg it can be driven on a car licence, while providing a gross combination mass (GCM) of 7000 kg with a genuine towing capacity of 2500 kg. Complete with a driver and passenger, the legal payload at GVM is 1580 kg. The electrical system is a full 24-volt installation with two 630CCA batteries, and there’s a 90-amp alternator to keep everything charged.
The ease of manoeuvring of the NLR will come as a welcome surprise. With a kerb-to-kerb turning circle of 8.9 metres it spins around in most urban roads without having to do the proverbial triple fore and aft shuffle. Out on the road the NLR drives smoothly and easily. With its six-speed automated manual transmission the ratio shifts are smooth and precise. Steering is light and cornering ability is predictable. The seating position is higher than conventional utes, and by being able to see over the roof of the vehicle ahead you can formulate your driving plans earlier and, consequently, safer. There’s room in the cabin for two passengers, and with well-placed steps and grab handles the access and egress is simpler than that of the average ute. Headroom is also better. Being able to lock or unlock the cab doors as well as the side lockers at the touch of the same remote key fob button is a great inclusion, and so too is the interior lighting system in all locker shelving. G&R News is tipping Isuzu’s NLR SERVICEPACK as capable of making a big breakthrough into the tradies’ market, as well as forming a valuable link through to the light and medium truck segment where bodywork can be tailored to suit the work task. GILBERT & ROACH JUNE 2016
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ON
SOLID
GROUND ISUZU’S IMPRESSIVE MU-X PROVES TRADITIONAL OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY AND REFINED ON-ROAD COMPOSURE AREN’T MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. WORDS BY CHRIS GABLE
T
oyota might own the segment, with Hyundai closing in, and Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and the rest all circling for bite-size chunks of Australia’s thriving large-SUV market. But the simple fact is, good as they are, none of them is an Isuzu.
The Isuzu name has long been proudly emblazoned on formidable trucks, memorable cars, SUVs and the much-awarded D-Max ute. All have contributed to Isuzu’s enviable reputation for solidity, longevity and reliability. Until MU-X, however, there hasn’t been a recent Isuzu SUV in Australia, especially one capable of taking on one of the most diverse large-SUV markets in the world. All up, 38 models from 24 manufacturers compete in the Australian market, and the MU-X is right up there, selling well, and for good reason. I’d driven an early production MU-X all too briefly at its memorable international launch in Thailand in late 2013, first at a surprisingly challenging off-road proving ground, then on bitumen at Bridgestone’s racetrack-style tyre-development facilities well outside Bangkok’s mind-numbing killer traffic.
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It easily proved capable in both settings. However, myself and the other Australian road testers at that big launch only got to drive the MU-X at those proving grounds, not on public roads. We were ferried to the tracks in forgettable hire vans, which, once out of the chaotic Bangkok traffic, telegraphed every road joint into the cabin with spine-jolting regularity. Having recently driven an MU-X on Australian roads, however, I can now tell you that the vehicle that proved so capable in Thailand obviously also is well suited to Australian conditions. In fact, having now driven Isuzu’s impressively unique SUV on Aussie roads, I now believe that the MU-X – especially in range-topping LS-T spec – would have made even Bangkok’s insufferable traffic a little more, well, sufferable. And that’s a big call! Even a quick look at Australia’s official industry sales statistics shows the MU-X is performing well in local Isuzu dealerships. It’s a regular top-10 seller in a market segment that’s growing, with SUV sales up a strong 8.3 percent according to official industry data. Chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Tony Weber, commented when that data was released on what he called the “significantly increased popularity” of SUVs. “The features of these vehicles are certainly attracting the mainstream Australian buyer,” Mr. Weber said. When you drive the MU-X – again, especially in top-shelf LS-T specification – you understand how its traditionally tough body-on-chassis construction, tenacious 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and car-like levels of refinement work so well in combination. Add a generous helping of standard and available equipment on all three MU-Xs – LS-M, LS-U and LS-T – and you more fully appreciate the comments made about growing SUV sales by the Federal Chamber’s Tony Weber.
CLEAN LIVING UTE All this helps explain its market appeal locally. However, the Isuzu edge, if you want to call it that, is the fact the MU-X carries its credentials on its sleeve – it’s Isuzu-tough, yet comfortably car-like on our roads. Underneath is a traditional Isuzu ladder-frame chassis, to which is bolted the dual-personality suspension, and the combination delivers surprising ride compliance on-road with genuinely impressive wheel-articulation in the bush. The arrangement is old-school tough matched with new-tech competency. Its fundamental ‘Isuzu-ness’ is obvious on paper, from the MU-X’s classically tough body-on-frame construction to its gutsy 16-valve, DOHC turbo-diesel engine. In all three Aussie-market spec levels – from entrylevel LS-M through LS-U, to flagship LS-T – the MU-X offers stump-pulling, ditch-dismissing off-road ability with initially-surprising on-road sophistication. In high-riding flagship LS-T spec, the MU-X also offers on-the-move 4WD switchability, both 2WD high and low, and a host of luxury features. Its dynamic safety and inherent stability on-road is enhanced with four-channel four-sensor ABS (Anti-skid Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System (TCS). The drivetrain itself is rock-solid. The 3.0-litre Isuzu 4JJ1-TC Hi-Power diesel engine delivers 130 kW of power and 380 Nm of torque. Fuel injection is via a high-pressure common-rail, and the turbocharger is an intercooled VGS (Variable Geometry System) type. Both 4x2 and 4x4 MU-X variants offer a substantial three-tonne braked towing capacity.
The MU-X’s five-speed automatic transmission with sequential sports mode is electronically controlled by the transmission control module (TCM) and features an adaptive-learning function that learns driver habits then selects appropriate shift points and lock-up points depending on driver behaviour, vehicle speed and vehicle load. The auto also has ‘Hill Descent’ and ‘Hill-Ascent’ modes, both of which are invaluable off-road. Quality fit and finish is evident throughout, from its aerodynamically enhanced body to its accommodating and cleverly designed interior, including flat-folding seating. A premium audio system with six speakers, iPod and Bluetooth phone connectivity is standard across the MU-X range, while the top-of-the-range LS-T comes equipped with Isuzu’s ‘Sky Sound’ roof-mounted audio and 10-inch DVD monitor for rear seat passengers. On the flagship LS-T, the cabin also runs to leatherclad seats and such high-tech niceties as touchscreen satellite navigation with live traffic updates, climate-control air-conditioning, steering-wheel-mounted controls and reversing camera. What the MU-X brings to our voracious large-SUV market is Isuzu’s impeccable reputation for robust engineering and solid reliability melded with confidenceinspiring driveability and comfort levels. All with Isuzu’s five-year/130,000 km warranty, transferable to subsequent owners, ensuring bulletproof resale value. At the risk of dusting off a tired cliché, what’s not to like?
GILBERT & ROACH JUNE 2016
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