A giant Leap for Australian Trucking

Australian trucking as we know it has taken a leap forward this week following the much-anticipated launch of the new model year 2025 range of trucks from Isuzu. ​ ​ ​

Officially unveiled at this years’ Brisbane Truck Show, Australians can expect to see a very different on-road landscape in coming months, as the striking, fresh-faced range begins to flood our highways, byways and city lanes. ​

With entirely new models added to the line-up, along with reimagined transmission, safety and innovative powertrain technologies, it’s a landmark moment for the country’s most trusted truck brand. ​

A new chapter

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Director and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Harbison, said the launch marks an historic chapter for the brand. ​

“For close to four consecutive decades now, Isuzu has had the absolute honour of serving the transport needs and demands of Australian industry - as the country’s truck of choice.

“With this historic, full-model changeover, we enter new territory as we introduce the safest, most efficient and technologically advanced product in the history of the brand,” Mr Harbison said. ​ ​ ​

“Our existing model range has been a consistent performer and indeed a favourite across every weight category for a number of decades now and based on the reaction we’ve had to date, we’re extremely confident our new line-up will more than surpass expectations.”

A global approach

Under the tagline, ‘Reliability Redefined,’ the entire Isuzu truck line-up has been re-built and re-imagined from the ground up. ​

Based on the evolution of long-established Isuzu product design philosophies pertaining to safety, economy, and environment, the range collects a completely new look inside and out, a swathe of new driveline, emissions and broader operational technology, and notably, an unmatched safety suite to rival just about any other vehicle on Australian roads.

Unique to Isuzu, the entire line-up is underpinned by the global group’s advanced Isuzu Modular Architecture and Components Standard or ‘I-MACS’ - a flexible, modular platform designed to cater to a vast range of operator requirements, and allowing for future development to suit both operating and regulatory changes.

The approach is born of a transformative, future-focused mission to provide a range of mobility solutions for society, regardless of what that need might be. Isuzu’s 2025 model range represents a significant leap forward in the global group’s commitment to this goal.

Isuzu NLR 45-150 at the Brisbane Truck Show

Range

From the lightest, car licence friendly N Series (starting at 4,500 kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)), right through to heavy hitters in the FX and FY Series (up to 32,000 kg GVM), there’s an eye watering baseline total of 133 unique models on offer, with that figure topping-out at 209 once alternate GVM variations are accounted for.

With a gross vehicle mass rating beginning at 4,500 kilograms and encompassing a hefty band of vehicles including variations of the versatile NKR, NLR, NLS, NMR and NPR models - the N Series makes ultimate weight at 8,800 kilograms GVM with the larger NQR model.

There’s also an expansive selection of wheelbase options available, providing true flexibility and fit-for-purpose end-use across Australian industry at large.

Shifting up in weight segments and with no less than 52 models on offer, Isuzu’s imposing medium-duty F Series range kicks-off at a GVM rating beginning at 11,000 kilograms, which encompasses a line-up of models including multiple variations of the popular FRR and FRD.

The F Series tops-out at 26,000 kilograms GVM with FVL, FVY and FVZ models servicing a broad range of applications across a number of transport reliant industries.

Beyond its well-known vehicle types, the F Series offers genuine versatility with specialised dual control variants and an extremely accomplished 4x4 line-up.

From machine cartage to waste and refuse, getting the job done at the heavier end of the spectrum is Isuzu’s heavy-duty FX/FY Series, spanning a GVM range of 17,000 kg through to 32,000 kg.

Emission control has been key to the new F Series models

Powertrains & emissions

Under the skin, there’s numerous new Japanese-built, Australian Design Rule (ADR) compliant diesel power-plants on offer, with a range of power outputs providing the grunt behind Isuzu’s MY25 line-up.

At the lighter end of the spectrum, various N Series models come equipped with Isuzu’s high torque, fuel-efficient, four-cylinder, turbo charged and intercooled 4JZ1 engine, available with two power ratings. The 4JZ1 TCS produces 150 PS at 2,800 RPM, and the TCH variant, as found in NPR, NPS and NQR models, outputs 175 horsepower.

Rounding-out engine possibilities in the N Series range is the higher output 4HK1-TCH engine providing 190 horsepower or 140 kilowatts at 2,600 RPM.

In terms of emissions control, ADR compliance for N Series engines is achieved via Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) combined with a Diesel Particulate Diffuser (DPD), ultimately reducing harmful particulate matter when combined with a Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR). The addition of a dosing unit using AdBlue ensures that the severity of harmful emissions is reduced.

Applied across the F Series are three engine variants available as part of this latest release.

New to the F Series in 2025 and rated in two variations across the FSR, FVR, FVM, FVZ, and 4x4 FTS models, is Isuzu’s all-new 6.7 litre, water-cooled DB6A engine, helping to develop opportunities across medium and heavy-duty applications.

Offering excellent power and torque at low rpm, there’s a 191 kilowatt or 260 horsepower DB6A-TCH variant available alongside a 221 kilowatt or 300 horsepower DB6A-TCC variant depending on the model. ​ ​

Both engines do not require Exhaust Gas Recirculation or EGR, instead, emissions reduction is achieved via a DPD combined with an SCR system and AdBlue dosing.

Cleverly specified for a variety of applications, Isuzu’s six cylinder, 24 valve 6UZ1-TCC engine finds a home across the FX/FY line-up in 2025, producing 259kW or 355 horsepower.

AdBlue has also been added to emissions control systems, which uses a DPD combined with an SCR system and a urea dosing unit to reduce hazardous nitrogen oxide (NOx).

Transmissions

Amongst a range of incumbent transmission options, a talking point of the 2025 N Series 4x2 line-up is Isuzu’s brand new MYR9S 9-speed automated manual transmission, available on models powered by the 4JZ1 engine.

Isuzu’s patented dual-clutch transmission features a wet clutch design producing smaller full-power gear steps along with a double overdrive 8th and 9th gear for almost inconspicuous shifting. The MYR9S shifter also has a ‘P for park’ position with a park pawl - for added ease of use and parking convenience in and around town.

Retained from previous F Series specifications is Isuzu’s six-speed MZW-6P AMT, with both fully automatic and clutchless manual operation modes and designed and engineered specifically for trucking applications.

Offering better performance, better fuel economy and reduced maintenance costs, F Series models fitted with the new Isuzu DB6A engine exclusively feature six-speed Allison automatic transmissions.

With two overdrives and sixth generation advanced electronic controls, the Allison series is perfectly paired, providing smooth and predictable on-road behaviour and an effortless drive for the operator. ​ ​

Allison is also the transmission of choice for both the FX and FY Series at the heavier end, with the Allison 4430 transmission applied exclusively to the line-up. Again, sporting a generation six control system with engine-dependent Power Take Off (PTO), the 4430 is well suited to a range of heavy-duty applications be it highway driving or stop-start, high idle operations.

Safety

Made possible due to a second-generation stereo camera system – and a standout feature across the entire range, the N Series safety suite now contains an additional seven active safety features added in 2025, boasting a grand total of 15 safety aids - making it the safest vehicle Isuzu Trucks has ever developed for the Australian market.

Arguably the biggest winner on the safety front in 2025, the F Series also improves on an already accomplished dual lens camera and radar-powered Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), with a string of extra safety features.

Every model across the line-up, including popular 4x4 models, benefit from a baseline safety suite containing up to 12 active and passive systems.

Isuzu’s ADAS camera technology works in combination with a long range milli-wave radar, now available on all F Series variants and located in the centre of the bumper bar.

Not to be overlooked, the FX/FY line-up also receives a beefed-up ADAS system bristling with no less than 10 completely new active safety aids including Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (FACC), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) to name but a few. ​

Cabin design & comfort

From its aerodynamic grille to distinctive headlamps and newly engineered bumper, the prominent exterior cabin design culminates in a poised and assured posture – a striking new look applied across the entire line-up in 2025.

Other design elements include a handsome, full LED exterior headlight assembly, including turn signals and daytime running lamps.

Moving into the cabin via a handy keyless fob (passive entry system), operators will find comfortable yet hardwearing materials and a smart and convenient cab layout – consistent and common across the entire model line-up.

The driver’s seating position and interface with the steering wheel has been enhanced across all models, with the changes reflecting a more responsive, stress-free driving experience. ​

F and FX/FY Series interior comfort highlights include new driver’s seating in the form of the ergonomic ISRI 6860/875 NTS2 climate seat, customisable with a range of controls and settings, specified to suit all manner of applications and environments.

Other interior operational features found across the whole range include an intelligent new steering wheel with integrated push-button controls for a feature packed seven-inch multi-information display unit.

There’s also volume, and phone control – via the huge Apple and Android agnostic MyIsuzu Co-Pilot touchscreen multimedia system, as well as a raft of control adjustments for all manner of driving conditions.

FSR 140-260 at the Brisbane Truck Show

Meeting the brief

Speaking from the recent launch at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, Mr Harbison reinforced the magnitude of the new model changeover, the first for Isuzu since 2008.

“At Isuzu Australia we have a mantra of ‘constant improvement’ and that’s a philosophy we always hold ourselves accountable to,” Mr Harbison noted.

“This model launch really is the manifestation of that value, and we’ve worked extremely hard behind the scenes to bring to the Australian market the highest quality specification of the Isuzu product that we could muster.

“Especially from safety, driver comfort and application specificity standpoint, we’re super confident we’ve met the brief for Australian businesses reliant on safe, cost effective, and above all, reliable road transport solutions.”