Isuzu – A Global Leader In Diesel Engine Technology
The Isuzu name is intrinsically linked to diesel engine technology. For over 75 years the company has devoted a major portion of its research and development resources to refining diesel engine technology. Today the company is recognised as a pioneer in the field of diesel engine development in Japan.
Isuzu is ranked amongst the world’s largest producers of diesel engines with total engine production reaching a cumulative total of 23,5 million units as of 2012. The company has developed an enviable reputation for the performance and exceptional economy of its advanced diesel engines, many of them considered industry benchmarks against which performance is measured. Isuzu continues to pursue the development of new cutting-edge diesel technologies that are aimed at raising performance and durability to even higher levels, improving thermal efficiency and reducing emissions to meet ever increasing global performance expectations and emissions standards.
The first Isuzu diesel engine, an air-cooled automotive unit, was produced in 1936. Since that time the company has responded to ever changing market and environmental demands through technological improvement as a pace setter in diesel engine development. Technologies embraced by Isuzu include turbocharged and intercooled engines, direct injection fuel systems, electronically controlled common rail high-pressure fuel injection, and the use of advanced materials including ceramics.
The excellent reputation for reliability and durability that is part of the Isuzu diesel heritage has led to Isuzu being named the supplier of diesel engines for Japanese Antarctic exploration. In 1955 Isuzu was named as the sole supplier of diesel engines for snow tractors and generating sets for the Japanese National South Pole research facility and has been associated with this project form the very first expedition in 1956. In this challenging environment the average temperature is minus 30 degrees C. Large snowmobiles powered by 13,7 litre Isuzu diesel engines regularly operate at altitudes of 3800 metres and in temperatures that can drop as low as minus 80 degrees C.
This reputation has also led to the company being embraced as a technical partner for the supply of diesel engines on an OEM basis to other automotive and industrial equipment suppliers and led to Isuzu being ranked amongst the world’s largest diesel engine manufacturers. Isuzu manufactures a range of more than 60 diesel engines used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications. The smallest, a 1 litre engine, is used in a mini-backhoe, whilst the largest, a 30 litre mammoth engine, is used in heavy-duty tractors.
Production of these benchmark diesel engines by Isuzu has been developed into a global business with a supply network that includes Europe, North America, Japan and a number of Asian countries.
In the Japanese industrial engine market Isuzu is the clear leader in sales of diesel engines. Some 120 companies rely on Isuzu to power their products, including industrial giant, Hitachi. The company has a more than 50% share of the market for engines for diesel powered hydraulic shovels and forklifts and is prominent throughout the construction machinery field where Isuzu’s efforts to continue to reduce both noise and pollution from its industrial engines is recognised. In the United States Isuzu supplies world-renowned equipment manufacturers such as Ingersoll-Rand and Thermo King.
Isuzu’s advanced diesel engine technology is applied to the latest Isuzu KB in South Africa with the Isuzu D-TEQ engines. These feature computer-controlled common rail fuel injection together with advanced turbo chargers for optimised torque, power, and fuel economy. The 2.5 litre Isuzu D-TEQ engine produces 85 kW @ 3600 r/min with torque of 280 Nm @ 1800 – 2200 r/min. The 3.0 litre D-TEQ engine produces 130 kW @ 3600 r/min with torque of 380 Nm @ 1800 – 2800 r/min.
All About the New Isuzu KB South Africa
