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| Isuzu
KB350i V6 Double Cab |
Broadcast
dates : 18th September 2005
24th September 2005 |
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It
may come as a surprise to many viewers to learn that Isuzu
is top-dog in the image-building Double Cab market.
The good looks of Isuzu puts it head and shoulders above its
competitors from Toyota, Ford, Nissan and the likes, and
mechanically the Isuzu has enjoyed a five carat – that’s
carat with two A’s - reputation amongst farmers and urban
kerb-hoppers.
The launch of the Toyota Hilux in a multiple of variants,
including a massive double cab, saw General Motors faced
with a tricky marketing decision.
A big price-cut in reaction to the cheaper Hilux would
seriously annoy recent customers of the latest KB launched
last year.
So general Motors announced a somewhat creative marketing
package that, hopefully for Isuzu fans and dealers, will
keep everyone happy.
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This
is the second new KB series we’ve featured on the show,
the first being the turbodiesel 4x4 Double Cab. The big
petrol V6 packs a punch and at the price you are getting a
potent pick-up with 4X4 looks.
The diff lock and high ground clearance impart an off-road
ability that is the equal of some soft-roaders.
The KB350 motor is particularly sweet-revving and develops a
rather leisurely 147 kilowatts at 5400 rpm, and 280 Newton
metres of torque at 3000. Performance is hardly startling,
and top speed is limited to an indicated 180 km/h on the
speedo.
The suspension of the KB is via torsion bars at the front,
and leaf springs at the rear. Hendrik found the ride
well-sorted for a bakkie, and a five-seater bakkie at that!
As a workhorse, the Isuzu has a reasonably-sized load bay.
It’s rated at 940 kilograms, which is close to the old
one-ton benchmark, and comes with a sturdy roll-over bar and
an easy-to-close tailgate. The front bull bar is
particularly imposing.
Inside it’s functional rather than luxurious. The seats
have cloth upholstery in place of leather finery, but it
does have air-con and a rather basic sound system as
standard. The occupants get dual front airbags and plenty of
rear legroom in a well-rounded package.
Isuzu KB 350i V6 Double Cab
- Engine: V6
petrol, 3 494cc
- Power: 147 kW @ 5
400 rpm
- Torque: 280 Nm @
3 000 rpm
- Transmission:
Five-speed manual, rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 10,64
seconds (Car Magazine)
- Top speed: 164
km/h (Car Magazine figure, electronically limited)
- Fuel consumption:
17,48 litres/100 km (Car Magazine)
- Price: R255 821
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