Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/667099
34 commercial carrier journal | april 2016 FILLING THE 'PHANTOM GAP' Isuzu NPR XD offers 16,000-lb. GVWR BY JASON CANNON I f you're still using one of Isuzu's early-model NPRs – and given their reputation for longevity, that's not uncommon – the Japanese medi- um-duty workhorse has a few surprises for you in its current-generation work truck. The 2016 NPR XD follows the first-generation model introduced last year. Mike Kennedy, Isuzu's national sales training manager, said the product's 16,000-pound GVWR fills a "phantom gap" between the 14,500-pound GVWR NPR HD and the nearly 18,000-pound GVWR Isuzu NQR. The truck features a body/payload allowance of about 9,500 pounds. Our test unit was upfit with a 16-foot Morgan body and a Thermo King reefer unit, but the model can accommodate bodies up to 20 feet in length. The 150-inch wheelbase truck featured a turning radius of 46.5 degrees, which came in handy navigating crowded streets dissecting some of California's surfside towns. The truck is also available in 109-, 132- and 170-inch wheelbase lengths in standard cab configurations, and 150- and 176-inch for crew cab. Our Class 4 test unit was equipped with a 5.2-liter diesel engine and an Aisin 6-speed fully automatic double-overdrive transmission. The 215-hp powerplant provided more than enough power to push the truck at highway speeds and up some aggressive grades. The 452 foot- pounds of torque were impressive. Kennedy said the Aisin transmission used in Isuzu's commercial lineup is actually capable of handling far more torque than the truck can provide, ex- tending the life of the vehicle's driveline. Steering gets a major boost from early-generation Isuzus; it's easy, comfortable and tight. Ambient cabin noise across the entire lineup has been reduced immensely; doors and win- dows are sealed tight, and there's hardly more engine and road noise inside the three-person cab than you would find in a passenger vehicle. The NPR XD's visibility is supreme; oversized windows and a massive wind- shield are key highlights, allowing drivers to see practically every obstacle that may pose a safety hazard in front of the truck before it's too late. The exhaust brake was highly re- sponsive, but I found the front disk and rear drum brakes more than capable of handling the job, so I turned it off. Isuzus are known for their practical no-nonsense approach to vocational use, but current generations have been given a few comfortable upgrades. Cab doors open a full 90 degrees, making egress in and out simple, and there are ample grab handles for drivers and passengers who may need a boost. A Multi-Information Driver Display screen is mounted in the instrument cluster. Our test unit featured heated and remote mirrors that could be adjusted from the driver's seat via two electronic controls mounted in the A-pillar. The steering wheel features tilt and telescopic capability, a standard on all Isuzu models, and ample storage space is provided behind the seats for small personal items. The trucks can be out- fitted with an optional fire extinguisher and triangle kit, both of which would be mounted behind the seats. A three-person crew could travel com- fortably in a standard cab unit, but if you don't have a middle passenger, that seat flips down to reveal a workstation. With a market share hovering just south of 90 percent in its segment, it's easy to see why Isuzu is more popular than ever with vocational fleets. The work truck stalwart remains in tune with the demands of the modern customer and how to provide them with an effi- cient tool for work. T E S T D R I V E : I S U Z U N P R X D Isuzu's 2016 NPR XD has a 16,000-pound GVWR and fills a 'phantom gap' between the 14,500-pound GVWR NPR HD and the nearly 18,000-pound GVWR Isuzu NQR.