Isuzu Announces Two New Gasoline Engines

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Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /  March 4, 2020

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America revealed two new [General Motors] gasoline engines for its N-Series trucks at The Work Truck Show 2020. The engines include a 6.6L V-8 that will be available in the Class 3 NPR and Class 4 NPR-HD, and a 6.0L V-8 that will be offered in both the Class 5 17,950-pound GVWR NQR and the Class 5 19,500-pound GVWR NRR.

The NRR will be the first 19,500-pound GVWR low cab forward truck on the market to offer a gasoline engine option, according to Isuzu.

“Some of the major challenges our industry will face in the coming decade are the result of emissions regulations, some that have been defined and some that are still a work in progress,” said Shaun Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “At the same time, we see an increasing demand for gasoline engines in Classes 3, 4 and 5. These engines will allow us to meet new and stringent emissions requirements and meet the needs of our dealers and customers as the market grows and evolves.”

Production of NPR Gas (12,000-pound GVWR) and NPR-HD Gas (14,500-pound GVWR) models equipped with the new 6.6L V-8 gasoline engine will begin this July.

"The past six years have been the highest volume years for Isuzu. The population of working-age adults is growing, and every indication shows they will be living in urban areas. And our trucks are uniquely suited for urban environments," Skinner said during Isuzu's press conference at The Work Truck Show.

To develop the new powerplant, engineers began with a proven small-block design and incorporated advanced Gen V technology to meet heavy-duty powertrain requirements. This technology reduces emissions and provides improved output and efficiency without compromising capability and durability. Among the highlights:

• Direct injection provides precise fuel control and more complete combustion for greater efficiency
• Variable valve timing improves performance, economy and emissions
• Variable displacement oil pump varies the oil pressure based on engine demand
• Power output of 350 horsepower and 425 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,800 rpm
• 200,000-mile design life

The engine will be mated to a 6L90 6-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive and a lock-up torque converter. Both NPR and NPR-HD models will offer a  38.6-gallon stainless-steel fuel tank for extended driving ranges. Both Standard Cab and Crew Cab models will be available with wheelbases ranging from 109 to 176 inches. The trucks will be assembled by Spartan Motors in Charlotte, Michigan, starting in July 2020.

The new 6.0L V-8 engine that will debut in the upcoming NQR and NRR Gas models represents the first time Isuzu has offered a gasoline engine in a Class 5 truck — and the NRR Gas will be the first gas-powered Class 5 low cab forward truck with a 19,500-pound GVWR in the industry, according to Isuzu.

• The engine will be certified and supplied by Power Solutions International and built from a Vortec V8 block that has been customized to Isuzu specifications.
• The powerplant will produce 311 horsepower and generate 353 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,150 rpm.
• The engine will be mated to a 6-speed Allison 1000 RDS transmission with power takeoff. This will be the first time Isuzu has offered PTO in a gas-powered truck, which will be especially useful for vocations that require that kind of capability.
• Like Isuzu’s new Class 3 and 4 gas trucks, both the NQR and NRR will offer a 38.6-gallon stainless-steel fuel tank.
• Customers can choose between a Standard Cab with seating for three or the Crew Cab with seating for up to seven, and wheelbases ranging from 132.5 to 176 inches.

Spartan Motors will be assembling these trucks starting later this year, and availability is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2020 or early first quarter of 2021.