Enhanced Safety Features For New 6th Generation Isuzu KB
- Stronger chassis
- Stronger cab construction
- New seat design
- Improved braking system
- Lower centre of gravity
The 6th Generation Isuzu KB incorporates a number of passive and active safety features to, in the first instance assist in avoiding a collision (active solutions), and in the second instance to protect the occupants if a collision is unavoidable (passive solutions).
At the core of the Isuzu KB safety solutions is the basic chassis design that has an improved Static Stability Factor courtesy of the new chassis with its longer wheelbase and wider track for a larger overall footprint. The chassis incorporates a front-end crumple zone to assist in dissipating crash impact energy in the event of a front on collision.
With the new chassis and body designs came the opportunity to improve the overall balance of the vehicle through the optimised positioning of the cab and loadbox on the chassis.
The overall design has achieved a relatively low centre of mass with major components mounted lower in the chassis without any negative impact on ground clearance. This is a vitally important safety factor in off-road driving conditions.
The new KB’s cab is constructed from high tensile steel for outstanding strength and rigidity and imparts the protection of an effective passenger safety cell. Isuzu engineers have employed a “Tailor Blank Welding” technique in areas that require extra strength for increased passenger protection such as the ‘B’ pillar in Double Cab models and the flex door frame on the Extended Cab.
The Extended cab model has a reinforced ‘B’ pillar structure which is a single-piece Tailor Blank Welded construction. Three-bolt door hinges are employed on the rear flex-doors for added strength and side impact protection. An interlock system makes the Extended Cab extremely safe by preventing the flex doors from opening unless the front doors are open.
Within the cab an improved seat design is used. The seat frames have increased strength and the seat back has been anatomically designed to provide more upper body and shoulder support. The distance from the back of occupant’s head to the head restraint has been optimised. This latest seat design significantly increases occupant safety in the event of a rear end collision.
All models benefit from an increase in the distance from the front of the chassis to the ‘A’ pillars and front bulkhead. This increases the overall impact absorption capability of the chassis in a front on collision.
On all models from the LE specification level up feature ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution are standard. The front brake disc diameter on the 4WD and High Ride models is increased from 280mm to 300mm. On 2WD models the rear brake drum diameter is increased from 254mm to 295mm for increased braking efficiency. All models feature automatic rear brake adjustment. Each time the hand brake is applied the adjustment mechanism checks that the brake shoe to drum clearance is correct and adjusts this clearance in necessary.
Another improvement to the braking system is the use of an up-rated 266mm brake booster. The front and rear shells of the booster are connected by a tie-bar to prevent deformation when the booster is activated. This reduces “stroke loss” due to an effective stretching of the booster body and improves brake pedal feel and consistency in brake application.
Advanced design front and rear light clusters assist in improving driver visibility and the visibility of the Isuzu KB to other road users.
All D-TEQ and petrol (except KB240 Base & KB240 Fleetside) models are fitted with two frontal airbags for the driver and front seat passenger. These work together with seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters. The top-of-the-range LX Double Cab is fitted with six airbags, two in the front, two front seat side, and two curtain side airbags. Double Cab models are “Isofix” child seat compatible.
Where speed sensing automatic door locking is featured the doors will automatically unlock in the event of an airbag deployment.
Aside from occupant protection, Isuzu has placed a high priority on improving pedestrian safety levels. The front bumper is manufactured from polypropylene material and is designed to lessen pedestrian injuries in the event of an impact by firstly absorbing the initial impact energy and then lifting the pedestrian up over the bonnet rather than forcing the body down under the vehicle.
Polycarbonate headlamp covers have a higher resistance to shattering on impact and less of a tendency to cause severe lacerations generally associated with glass covers.
The bonnet design of the new Isuzu KB has been evolved around the need for a higher level of pedestrian protection. The bonnet frame is designed to absorb impact energy by crumbling in a pedestrian accident. To aid this the engine of the new KB is mounted further back to allow more space for the impact absorbing features of the bonnet and under bonnet fixtures to do their job effectively.
The new 6th Generation Isuzu KB presents itself as a stylish, efficient, state of the art technology product for the commercial or recreational user.
All About the New Isuzu KB South Africa
