Isuzu Announces Production of New Class 6 Truck

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Isuzu Commercial Truck of America has announced that production of its all-new entry in the Class 6 medium-duty truck segment—the 2018 Isuzu FTR—will begin in May of this year. The company made the announcement at the National Truck Equipment Association’s 2017 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

The F-Series truck, which will be assembled at a new 85,000-square-foot Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Michigan, will have a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $82,180.

Orders for the truck will be accepted beginning of April, 2017.

“The all-new FTR is truly a game-changer,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “This truck’s combination of low-cab-forward design and Class 6 GVWR gives it fantastic maneuverability and visibility along with the ability to carry more cargo than a conventional Class 6 truck. Its four-cylinder diesel engine is environmentally friendly and gives the truck outstanding fuel efficiency. Its class-leading warranty gives its owners peace of mind. And it’s an Isuzu Truck, a name that is synonymous with dependability, durability and low cost of ownership.”

The FTR will be powered by the Isuzu’s renowned Isuzu 4HK1-TC 5.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine—a first in the segment. “We believe that more and more competitors in this class will be turning to four-cylinder engines, because they are cleaner and more efficient,” Skinner said. “Our 4HK engine goes beyond environmental friendliness and economy—it’s also durable and powerful.”

Isuzu also announced that this engine now carries a B-10 durability rating of 375,000 miles—meaning that 90% of engines should reach that mileage before requiring an overhaul. This represents an increase of 65,000 miles from the engine’s previous (and already robust) 310,000-mile B-10 rating.