Unmatched domination renews with Isuzu F Series launch

Isuzu Trucks has redefined medium-duty trucking and added a new dimension into this hotly contested market segment with the launch of its 2025 F Series range. ​ 

A key pillar of Isuzu’s official full model launch at the Brisbane Truck Show, the MY25 F Series range counts as the latest and greatest stride in what has been an ever-evolving product journey dating back to the late seventies. ​ ​ ​ 

In its most wide-ranging upgrade in the brand’s history, the new offering brings together Isuzu’s unsurpassed international experience both on and off the highway, and more than three decades of local market domination, a feat unlikely matched elsewhere in the world. ​ ​ ​ 

Distilling down the significance of Isuzu’s marque medium-duty launch amidst the juggernaut of an all-encompassing, 200-plus-model release, is Isuzu Australia Limited’s Head of Product Management & Commercial Vehicles Chief Engineer, Simon Humphries. 

“It’s difficult to articulate the scale and resultant value this launch will have within Australia’s medium-duty market segment. 

“We’re bringing no less than 52 F Series models to market, which are set to meet the needs of a massive range of applications for decades to come,” Mr Humphries said. ​ ​ ​ ​ 

“Isuzu has enjoyed great success across this weight grouping for some time, but given the breadth and depth of this launch, especially on the safety, efficiency and comfort front, this exemplary track record can only go from strength-to-strength.” ​ 

MY25 F Series  

Four-cylinder models: Engines 

The opening salvo of the MY25 Isuzu F Series launch is the 11,000-kilogram Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) band of four-cylinder models in the FRR/D and FSS, and 12,000 to 14,000 kg GVM models in the FSR/D. ​ 

Isuzu’s new, lightweight, four-cylinder, ADR80/04 complaint using pPNLT standard 4HK1 powerplant sits at the heart of this group, with 2 variants being a TCS and TCH producing 154 kilowatts or 210 horsepower and 177 kilowatts or 240 horsepower respectively both with peak torque from 1,600 rpm. 

Ably suited to all manner of on-road applications, the latest evolution of the brand’s famed 4HK1 engine lineage gains all new emissions control technology in 2025, with a combined Diesel Particulate Diffuser (DPD), Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR) using AdBlue, the system is designed to reduce harmful particulate matter and nitrogen oxide or NOx. 

Four-cylinder models: transmissions 

Transmission options across most four-cylinder F Series models include both manual and automated manual variations of Isuzu’s 6-speed MZW-6P transmission. ​ 

With both fully automatic and clutchless manual operation modes, the AMT variant of the MZW offers the ease of operation of an automatic and the economy and durability of a well driven manual transmission. ​ 

Six-cylinder models: engines & emissions  

Finding a home within this GVM range are the ‘bread and butter’ of the newly launched F Series range, including FSR/D variants, FTS 4x4 models, FVR/D, FVL and FVZ/Y models. Plus, at the top end of the range of FXR/D, FXL, FXZ/Y and FXH/J variants. 

There are three six-cylinder engine types spanning these models in the F Series range, including Isuzu’s never before seen DB6A engine family – consisting of two variants, producing two different outputs and servicing a broad range of Australian applications. 

DB6A-TCH 

This 6,690 cc, 6 piston, overhead value, common rail DB6A-TCH powerplant – applied to popular models such FSR/D and 4x4 FTS models, plus a new FVR/D - produces 191 kilowatts or 260 horsepower with peak torque of 883Nm from 1,000 to 2,070 rpm. The DB6A-TCH serves as direct replacement for previous Euro V, 6HK1-TCC powerplant. 

DB6A-TCC 

Moving up in output, the DB6A-TCC is applied to a range of models further up the F Series weight categories, including models such as the FVR/D and FVL. ​ 

Producing 221 kilowatts or 300 horsepower with 981 Nm of torque from 1,000 to 2,100 rpm, the higher output and improved efficiencies of the TCC variant replaces the popular 6HK1-TCS engines found amongst this model line-up in years’ past. 

All of Isuzu’s new six-cylinder engines receive updated, ADR80/04 compliance using Euro VI emissions control technology in the form of a combined DPD, SCR system using AdBlue, designed to reduce harmful particulate matter at the tailpipe. Both DPD and SCR systems are mounted on the driver’s side chassis rails and a 65 litre AdBlue supply tank is located on the opposite side of the chassis next to the fuel tank. ​ 

6UZ1-TCC 

Rounding-out Isuzu’s six-cylinder engine options is the 6UZ1-TCC found in the likes of the FXZ/Y range of models where additional output is required. ​ ​ 

Popular across a range of applications including waste and refuse, intra and interstate freight logistics and plant hire, the 6UZ1-TCC produces 259 kilowatts and a step up to 352 horsepower with peak torque from 1,400 rpm. ​ 

At the heavy end is the 6th generation Allison Transmission

Six-cylinder models: transmissions 

As part of the Isuzu’s MY25 launch, all six-cylinder F Series models now come equipped exclusively with the latest incarnations of the popular Allison range of automatic transmissions. ​ ​ 

Extending a carefully nurtured supplier relationship spanning decades, the Isuzu-Allison collaboration arguably reaches its crescendo with this release, with the premium Allison 2500, 3000, 3500 and 4430 systems all finding a home within the six-cylinder Isuzu stable. ​ ​ 

Allison 2500 

Now in its 6^th generation (Gen 6), Allison’s 2500 series optimises gear selection and shift points in real-time based on speed, load, and driver input. An Australian favourite, the 2500 is known for its robustness, reliability, and the ability to handle all walks of distribution and off-road needs. Mated with the next generation of FSR/D and FTS Isuzu truck models, the Allison 2500 is engineered to optimise performance, improve fuel economy and has been developed to support alternative fuels and electrification. ​ 

Allison 3000, 3500, 4430 

Also entering its 6^th generation of electronic controls, the fully automatic Allison 3000, 3500 and 4430 Series transmissions as found in the remaining 6-cylinder range including FVR/D and FXR/D, these transmissions are specifically designed for medium-duty commercial trucking, offering advanced features like a push button controller with oil level checks and mode selection to enhanced fuel economy, increased performance, and reduced downtime. ​ All 3000, 3500 and 4430 systems can be customised to provide additional retardation performance for applications with the need. This reduces brake wear and enhances safe vehicle control. ​ 

Safety systems have been boosted

MY25 F Series: safety 

Isuzu has gone above and beyond to design and engineer an F Series product to boost safety for all road users: the driver, other passengers, pedestrians, other vehicle operators, motorcyclists, cyclists – the whole spectrum. 

The F Series improves on its already class-leading, 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 comprehensive baseline safety suite containing up to 12 active and passive systems. 

The active safety system is informed by Isuzu’s ADAS camera technology, which is now mounted low on the windscreen, in combination with a long range milli-wave radar, available on all F Series variants, located in the centre of the bumper bar. 

ADAS camera functions in the F Series include… 

ADAS camera & millimetre radar combined functions include… 

This line-up of active safety features complements existing ‘passive’ safety features found on all F Series trucks. These include driver & front passenger SRS airbags, driver & outboard passenger SRS seat belt pretensioners, an ECE-R29 rated cabin and anti-intrusion bars in the doors. 

The cabin offers new levels of comfort

MY25 F Series: cabin styling & comfort 

From the aerodynamic grille to distinctive headlamps and newly engineered bumper, the prominent F Series cabin design comes together in an assertive posture – a new look for the line-up in 2025. 

Exterior design elements incorporate a full LED lighting package, including headlights equipped with adaptive driving beam technology, as well as turn signal and daytime running lamps. 

Other exterior features include a new windscreen in the F Series, providing improved ultraviolet and infrared filtering resulting in up to 99 per cent UV sun protection and 59 per cent reduction in radiated heat respectively. ​ 

Pressing a button on the driver's door handle provides access to the cabin is via a handy keyless fob system, where operators will find comfortable yet hardwearing materials and a smart and convenient cab layout. 

Other convenience features include large overhead LED work light and smaller dome LED cab lights, providing exceptional interior lighting in low light. 

F Series driver’s seating consists of the ergonomic ISRI 6860/875 NTS2 climate seat, customisable with a massive range of controls and settings to satisfy even the fussiest of drivers. ​ 

The new steering wheel has integrated push-button controls for the seven-inch multi-info display plus volume, and phone controls, integrating with 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. 

Integrated storage points can be found throughout the cabin interior and a fold-down centre seat combine to deliver smart convenience attributes that add to the operational experience. 

Strength-to-strength 

There’s scarcely an inch of the new 2025 F Series that hasn’t been reviewed, assessed and improved from what Australian operators know and love of the current model. ​ 

From an all-new exterior look, to arguably the most sophisticated set of specifications applied within the entire MY25 Isuzu line-up, the F Series re-enters the Australian medium-duty market in 2025 teeming with features, benefits and operational efficiencies. 

“I’ve spent the better part of my career working in and around the medium and heavy-duty end of truck product lifecycles and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, the new F Series sets the bar higher than I ever thought possible,” Mr Humphries exclaimed. 

“Just when you thought there was a level of product parity within the market, Isuzu doubles down to offer more; more safety, more comfort, more efficiencies and not to forget, more tailored support for its customers.”