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The Stoneleigh showground will provide the first public opportunity to see the new P700 product range in the UK, with a 3.5-tonne, 7.5-tonne and 13.5-tonne chassis taking pride of place on the manufacturer’s outdoor stand.

Pete Murphy, Managing Director of Isuzu Truck UK, says: “With the new P700 range, we are not just raising the bar for safety, comfort and efficiency, but also giving our customers more choice with several new model variants being introduced to widen our appeal.”

New range to break cover

Isuzu says the new line-up, which includes narrow, day and crew cabs each engineered to be safer, quieter and more efficient – will stand apart for maintaining Isuzu’s unmistakable identity. They will also benefit from a comprehensive range of upgrades, including LED lights, air-conditioning and satellite navigation as standard, with an in-cab infotainment system offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for an enhanced driver experience.

The new variants will include a crew cab model for the first time at 6.5-tonnes, joining the existing crew cab option already available at 7.5-tonnes and popular in the recovery sector.

Isuzu is also introducing a third engine choice within its versatile 7.5-tonne range, with a 3.0-litre turbo intercooled diesel engine producing 175 PS, sliding in neatly between the existing 150 PS 3.0-litre and 190 PS 5.2-litre diesel engine options. It will come complete with the new ISIM (Isuzu Smooth Intelligent Transmission) Dual Clutch nine-speed gearbox, giving operators the ability to unlock additional power for more demanding applications, without the added weight of a larger displacement engine. This new nine-speed gearbox is available across the N-Series range, from 5.5 to 7.5 tonnes.

Completing the additions will be a longer 5,320mm wheelbase variant for the F-Series range at 13.5-tonnes, affording customers a choice of five wheelbase lengths starting from 3,790mm.

Murphy says: “This is the culmination of a huge investment in R&D across Isuzu Motors and follows the successful introduction of the new range into other key markets globally, including North America, Australia and our home market in Japan. We are confident the P700 range will be incredibly well received in the UK, and we’re genuinely counting the days until our order books formally open early in July.”

Other key upgrades on applicable models will include the introduction of Blind Spot Information System (BSIS), Distance Warning System (DWS), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), all designed to maximise vehicle safety.

Production of the first next generation right-hand drive models for the UK market will commence at Isuzu’s Fujisawa plant, southwest of Tokyo, in August. The first new generation chassis will begin arriving at bodybuilders in the UK from October.

On display at RTX

Joining the new models on display at RTX will be five customer trucks from the current product line-up, including two 3.5-tonne Isuzu N35 Grafters – one with a Brit-Tipp steel floor tipper body, and the second with specialist Jiffy Banquet mobile catering bodywork.

They will be joined by a pair of 7.5-tonners, to demonstrate the wide appeal of Isuzu’s N75 model range, one with Brit-Tipp tipping bodywork and the other a box van in Wren Kitchen’s distinctive green livery.

Completing the trucks on display will be a 13.5-tonne model mounted with a curtainside body and tail-lift, and destined to enter service following the show with Crowfoots Carriers.