After 100 years in business
Isuzu
has some stories to tell!

original-isuzu-shield
19 16
ISUZU Inizia la storia
A 100-year-long history

Historical notes

The history of Isuzu begins in Japan over 100 years ago, in 1916, when Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd., established in 1893 and Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. begin a collaboration for the construction of a motor vehicle factory.

19 18
First Collaborations

Between Japan and England

The production of vehicles begins in collaboration with a British car manufacturer, Wolseley Motor Ltd. Founded in the late 1800s by thirty-year-old Herbert Austin, the brand will exist until 1975 and, after producing some models, in 1918 it entered into agreements with the Ishikawajiama Ship-Building and Engineering, which led to the production of new vehicles, starting in 1922.

Wolseley Motor Ltd
19 22
Wolseley A9
First passenger vehicle

Wolseley A9

After 4 years of development, Tokyo Ishikawajima Ship-Building and Engineering presents the first passenger transport vehicle produced in Japan, the Wolseley A9. It was a vehicle with components from the United Kingdom, but some others, such as the bodywork and the engine, were entirely designed and manufactured at the Tokyo Ishikawajima Ship-Building and Engineering plants. A car with a 2.6 l 4-cylinder engine, capable of delivering up to 11.6 kW, and equipped with an overhead camshaft derived from the same technology used for the airplanes of the time. A series of innovations that have laid the foundations for the future starting from the Wolseley A9, today universally known as "the first car built in Japan in the world".

19 28
The developments

Sumida CL

The "Sumida CL" model presents the first improvements in terms of fuel efficiency and power. The name "Sumida" derives from the homonymous river, near which the production plant was located. The following year, in 1929, after numerous models and improvements, the "Sumida M Bus" was born, the first bus model produced in Japan, which over the years will contribute to the development of an increasingly modern public transport network.

Sumida CL
19 33
Sumiya & Chiyoda
New production models

Automobile Industries Co.

In 1933, the Ishikawajima Automotive Works, after merging with DAT Automobile Manufacturing Inc., changed its name to "Automobile Industries Co., Ltd" and began production of a vehicle that followed the standards dictated by the government of the time.

19 34
Isuzu

At the origins of the name

In 1934, after a meeting between the company and the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the vehicles, initially marketed as “Sumiya "and" Chiyoda "were called" Isuzu ", from the name of the river. which has its source and its mouth in the city of Ise, in the Prefecture of Mie, Japan, whose literal meaning is “50 bells.” The Isuzu River is particularly noteworthy as it flows through the Great Temple of Ise and it is crossed by the Uji Bridge, entrance of the Great Temple of Ise. Given its proximity to the Sacred Temple, the Isuzu River has often been revered and mentioned in numerous poems and songs, which are still handed down through the centuries.

Sumiya & Chiyoda
19 36
1936 ISUZU DA6 & DA4
The advent of diesel engines

DA6 & DA4

The first air-cooled diesel engines for motor vehicles, the DA6 and DA4, are developed and produced. From this moment, the evolution of ISUZU engines will also begin and it will lead to the development and realization of the current engines present on vehicles today.

19 37
Economic growth

Tokyo Automobile Industries Co.

On April 9, 1937, with a capital of 1 million yen, Automobile Industries merged with Tokyo Gas & Electric Co., creating Tokyo Automobile Industries Co., Ltd.

Tokyo Automobile Industries Co
19 38
1938 ISUZU TX40
New models

TX40

Production of the TX40 model began in August 1938, a truck with a payload capacity of up to 2 tons, which was characterized by its being particularly solid and powerful.

19 48
Urban transport

BX91

The story continues and from January 1948 the production of the diesel powered bus model BX91 begins, capable of carrying up to 50 passengers, which will be the basis for the construction, starting from 1949, of numerous other bus models.

Primo bus ad alimentazione diesel
19 49
1949 ISUZU Logo Design
The choice

ISUZU Motors Limited

The company's name changed permanently to "ISUZU Motors Limited", with an increase in invested capital of 150 million yen. In the same year, the first vehicle exports to Hong Kong begin.

19 53
New Passenger Vehicle

Hillman Minx

After an agreement with the Rootes, Ltd. UK Group, the first production line of the new passenger vehicle, the ISUZU Hillman Minx, is inaugurated. Four years later will be produced with components manufactured entirely in Japan.

1953 Prima Linea di Produzione
19 59
1959 ISUZU ELF
The first truck

ELF

In 1959, Isuzu launched its first light truck, the ELF, on the Japanese market, the progenitor of what would later be known universally as the "Isuzu N Series".

19 61
January

ELFIN

In January 1961, with a load capacity of almost 2 tons, ELFIN was presented to the public. The newly developed DL201 engine represented excellence for the diesel engines of the time.

1961 ELFIN
19 61
1961 Bellel
October

Bellel

In October of the same year, a new passenger car, the Bellel, was presented to the public. The first vehicle whose design was totally conceived by Isuzu and the first Japanese passenger car with a diesel engine, it was particularly appreciated thanks to its use as a taxi.

19 63
The compact truck

ISUZU Wasp

1963 is the year of presentation of the ISUZU compact truck, the Wasp, the commercial variant of the Isuzu Bellett, which will be marketed in the 1325 cc and 1764 cc versions and produced until 1972.

1963 ISUZU Wasp
19 64
Bellett 1600 GT
The first sport car

Bellett

In April 1964, the "Bellett" series was presented, the first ISUZU vehicle exported to Europe, whose range included the Japanese company's first sport car, the Bellett 1600 GT. The Bellett 1600 GT was also produced in the GT-R (racing) version, and the vehicle can also be used in the famous Gran Turismo 4, 5 and 6 video games.

19 66
The birth of the truck

MEDIUM HEAVY DUTY

The "TY" truck, the 4-ton "Medium Heavy Duty Truck", later renamed "FORWARD", precursor to what is now universally known as the "Isuzu F Series", makes its appearance on the market.

1966 ISUZU TY
19 68
coupe_117
The debut of the coupe

ISUZU 117 Coupé

This is the year of the ISUZU 117 Coupé's debut, shown for the first time to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966 and famous also thanks to the fact that its lines were made by Giorgetto Giugiaro.The car has been sold since 1968 on an average of 50 copies per month.

Equipped with a 1584 cm³ four-cylinder engine derived from the Bellett, the engine delivered 120 HP at 6400 rpm and, coupled with a four-speed manual transmission, allowed the car to reach 190 km / h. This version was flanked by the EC, with the Bosch electronic injection engine boosted to 130 HP, and the quieter 1800 and 1800 N, with an 1817 cm³ carburettor engine, respectively capable of delivering up to 115 and 100 HP.

19 72
The marketing of the pick-up

ISUZU FASTER

Since 1972, Isuzu begins production and marketing of the Isuzu Faster pick-up, which will be produced until 2002. The diffusion of this vehicle will be facilitated also thanks to the agreement between Isuzu and General Motors (GM), which will distribute Isuzu Faster in Europe through its "Bedford" branch. The vehicle will then be called "Bedford KB" or "Isuzu KB".

coupe_117
19 78
coupe_117
The 4x4

Faster-Rodeo

The "Faster-Rodeo" is introduced, a 4x4 version of the Isuzu Faster, whose first generation will be produced until 1980. Between 1980 and 1988 the second generation was produced and marketed, which was the first, starting in 1982, to be offered in 3 possible different cabins: "Single Cab", "Double Cab" and "Space Cab".

19 79
A revolution for the automotive world

Ace of clubs

Designed in 1966, the fifth work by Giugiaro, the car that will give life to the Isuzu Piazza, considered the ideal successor of the Isuzu 117 Coupé, we are talking about the Isuzu Asso di Fiori by Italdesign.

Vehicle born at the end of the 70s and which preserves the floor of the Isuzu Gemini 1800, at the 1979 Geneva Motor Show it will present itself as a real revolution for the world of the automobile, with some characteristics that, from this moment, will be adopted by a third of the cars produced between 1981 and 1987. The elimination of the external drips, replaced by a gutter in the door stop gasket, the windows flush with the bodywork, integral doors and hatches, that is with a design that allows the sheet to wrap and covering the central pillar and the roof, are the peculiar characteristics of this Isuzu car, which mounted a 4-cylinder 1818 cc engine capable of delivering a power equal to 130 hp.

coupe_117
19 80
coupe_117
A new sports car

Isuzu Piazza

In 1978 Giorgetto Giugiaro was commissioned to design a new Isuzu sports car to replace the 117 Coupé, also designed by him.

His design was presented at the 1979 Tokyo Motor Show and, after being critically acclaimed, production of Isuzu Piazza began in Fujisawa in September 1980 in Japan. Proposed on the North American market with the name of Isuzu Impulse and on the Australian market as Holden Isuzu, in 1985 it was subsequently introduced also in Europe, where it is still known and appreciated today with its original name, Isuzu Piazza, in fact.

19 81
A cult vehicle among enthusiasts

Trooper

1981 is the "Year of the Trooper", known for a short time in Japan as "Isuzu Rodeo Bighorn". Initially equipped with 1.9 to 2.2 liter engines, the first series was produced until 1991. Since 1992 the Trooper has been updated to a second series and marketed in Europe as Opel Monterey, becoming more comfortable, more powerful and more equipped. The equipped engine is a 3.2 liter and since 1996 some models have the "Shift-On-The-Fly" system, to insert the 4x4 with the vehicle in motion. The second generation will be produced until 2002, but still today the Trooper is a cult vehicle among enthusiasts, capable, over the years, of also winning numerous prizes in various competitions.

ISUZU Trooper
19 85
coupe_117
The compact car

Isuzu Gemini

Produced in different versions from 1974 to 2000, the Isuzu Gemini was a subcompact car, whose design was commissioned to Giorgetto Giugiaro, who also designed the Isuzu 117 Coupé, and the Isuzu Piazza.

The first series, initially called Bellett Gemini, was born in late 1974 thanks also to the alliance made a few years earlier with General Motors. Available with 4-door sedan body and 2-door coupe, the drive was rear (Isuzu Gemini RR) and engines, also rear, powered by petrol or diesel, were available.

The second generation of the Gemini had engine and front-wheel drive and took the name of Isuzu Gemini FF, an appellation then abandoned from 1987, in favor of the "Isuzu Gemini" only.

19 87
The swan in the water

Swan Concept

Designed at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in California and defined by Chief Designer Takao Honda as a "Swan Concept", this 300 hp Isuzu prototype presented itself as a "swan in the water", a concept also exemplified by the two colours: the upper part, blue, represented beauty, also accentuated by soft lines, while the lower part had to idealize the traction, with the 1588 cc engine centrally positioned behind the two-seat cockpit, which was literally accessed by raising a special structure.

Real novelty for the time, the automatic gearbox was managed by a computer that allowed changing the speed of the steps from one gear to another depending on the driving style and the road.

ISUZU Swan Concept
19 89
Isuzu 4200R
Concept from the past

4200R

1989, Tokyo Motor Show. Isuzu presents the 4200R concept car to the world, born under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, a well-known car designer who in 1988 had created the Isuzu Design Center in Birmingham, England, where he gathered a group of promising designers capable of giving life to a car 2 + 2 seats which housed a 4.2-liter 8-cylinder in the rear hood, for a displacement of 4200 cc, capable of delivering over 300 hp.

The futuristic lines, the digital instruments, all-wheel drive and the five-speed manual gearbox are just some of the features that have left an indelible memory of the 4200R. It was a real office on 4 wheels, with very advanced equipment for the time: it was equipped with one of the first satellite navigators with a color display and an audio and video player and even a fax machine were also installed.

Unfortunately, only the memory of the 4200R remains today, made possible also by the presence of the car in Gran Turismo 5 and 6.

19 89
The medium-sized SUV

Isuzu MU

Based on the Isuzu Faster, the Isuzu MU was the medium-sized SUV from Isuzu, produced in the 3-door version from 1989 and in the five-door version from 1990, before having an update for both versions towards the end of the 90s, introducing a second version of the vehicles, with also a new name for the 5-door version, now called "Isuzu Wizard".

In Europe it was marketed as Opel Frontera for the 5-door version and Opel Frontera Sport for the 3-door version. A curiosity: the acronym "MU" stands for "Mysterious Utility", precisely to highlight the multiple uses for which this vehicle could be used.

ISUZU Mysterious Utility
19 91
ISUZU 1991 COMO
Designer Simon Cox

COMO

Presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1991 and designed by the famous car designer Simon Cox, the Isuzu COMO was equipped with a 740 hp V12 ceramic engine derived from the engine of an F1 car.

Four seats on board this concept car, whose rear axle was inspired by that of modern pick-ups, making the Isuzu COMO the title of "grand sports-utility vehicle".

19 91
Tokyo Motor Show

Nagisa Amphibious Concept

An Isuzu amphibious concept car, here is a summary of what the Nagisa Amphibious Concept was, presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1991. Equipped with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, it was able to carry 2 passengers, reaching maximum speed on the road of 100 km / h and the 8 knots in the water.

Precursor of many amphibious vehicles, the wheels could be retracted for navigation and, given the absence of a door, access to the vehicle was thanks to two platforms located at the rear, on the sides of the jet engine.

Isuzu Nagisa
19 97
ISUZU 1997 VehiCROSS
The compact SUV

VehiCROSS

After a series of concept cars, from 1997 Isuzu began production of its compact SUV, the VehiCROSS, which will be produced until 2001, and which over the years has been followed by two updated versions: the VehiCROSS VX-02 and the VehiCROSS VX-04. Presented for the first time to the public on the occasion of the thirtieth edition of the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1993, it was born from the collaboration between the Japanese designer Satomi Matuyama and Shiro Nakamura and from the intuitions of the famous English technician Simon Cox, at the time responsible for project.

Arrived in Italy for the first time at the Bologna Motorshow in 1999, the compact two-seater SUV was capable of delivering up to 215 hp, and was equipped with permanent all-wheel drive, self-locking differential, reduced gears, double-sided chassis and cross beams, with independent double trapeze front suspension and rigid axle rear suspension. These features, together with very particular lines, the automatic transmission and a height from the ground of 32 cm, also made him the protagonist, in 2000, of some sequences in the science fiction film "Mission to Mars" by the famous director Brian De Palma.

20 02
The most famous

D-Max

2002 is the year of the perhaps most famous vehicle of the Isuzu house: the D-Max.

Designed in collaboration with General Motors and presented at the Isuzu plants in Thailand, the possibility of having it with 4x2 or 4x4 traction and with different types of cabs was already present from the first generation: Single Cab (two-seater cabin with large body), Space Cab (2 + 2 seater cabin with slightly shorter body), Crew Cab (5 seater cabin with shorter body). In 2007 the D-Max will undergo a restyling, in particular of the front and the engine. The two diesel engines then available, 2.5 and 3.0 TD, had an increase in terms of power, going from 101 to 136 and from 131 to 163 hp respectively.

2002 Isuzu D-Max
20 12
2012 Isuzu D-Max
Second generation

D-Max

The second generation made its debut in Europe in 2012 and in addition to being renewed in both internal and external design, it now has a wide range of active and passive safety systems, standard on the entire range: 6 airbags (2 front, 2 side and 2 curtain), ABS with brake assist and electronic stability control (ESP). 6 models are now available with the 2012 model, which can be combined with the 3 types of cab (Single, Space and Crew):

  • Satellite: the only one available for Single Cabin. The Spartan layout of the Isuzu house, for the whole range;
  • Planet: there are some comforts, such as radio and air conditioning. Equipped for Space and Crew cabins;
  • Solar: medium-high end D-Max set up, thanks also to the possibility of alloy wheels and the presence of cruise control. Exclusively for the Solar version the CD / DVD player;
  • Solar Plus: additional accessories for the Solar Plus version, the latest version that can be equipped for the Space cabin;
  • Supernova: the exclusivity of the seats in customizable colored E-Tech leather or in black leather, together with all the other options;
  • Quasar: the top of the range, with all the accessories and the addition of a touch screen navigator and steering wheel controls.

The engine available was a Euro 5, 2.5 biturbo diesel, 163 horsepower, the result of numerous evolutions and improvements by ISUZU.

20 18
2016 restyling

D-Max

With the restyling of 2016, the 2.5 biturbo engine is replaced by the new 1.9, which maintains the 163 horses of the previous version. The weight of the vehicle is reduced and a new headlight design is introduced, now with LED daytime running lights, as well as new front bumpers. Internally the renovation is total, with a new multimedia system with touchscreen, satellite navigator and a new dashboard for climate controls.

The engine has been completely redesigned to comply with current anti-pollution regulations, thanks to the LNT (Lean NOx Trap) system to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), without the use of AdBlue.

The chain distribution, the induction heat treatment to reduce wear, the single service belt with self-tensioning and the hydraulic valve clearance adjustment are just some of the improvements introduced by Isuzu.

First to introduce a towing capacity up to 3500 kg, which, thanks to the new TSC function, which automatically reduces the oscillations of the trailer, is possible in complete safety, Isuzu D-Max helps the driver to start uphill thanks to the system HSA automatically maintains a constant descent speed thanks to the HDC system, thus improving vehicle control and the safety of those on board. In addition to this and the aforementioned airbags, the braking system with ABS and the EBD braking load control are standard on the entire range.

2018 Isuzu D-Max
20 19
2019 Isuzu D-Max Crew
Isuzu D-Max Crew

Isuzu D-Max Crew

Presented for the first time in Paris during the Mondial de l'Auto 2018, it is a special edition of our Isuzu D-Max Crew, for the occasion called "Crew Paris Plus". A vehicle that has all the features of Solar Plus, with the addition of numerous aesthetic features. Externally, the vehicle has been enriched with personalized adhesive strips and the Paris-Edition logo, to which are added the Mountain Top with the Sportbar INOX and special 18 ”alloy wheels. The interiors have been designed to offer maximum comfort in total safety. In addition to the ABS, EBD, BAS, ESC, TCS, HAS, HDC devices, standard on the entire range, Isuzu D-Max Crew Paris Plus has the ability to monitor the pressure of each individual tire independently thanks to the TPMS system. To all this is added the innovative Mobileye Anticollision System, a real "co-pilot" with frontal collision warning (FCW), monitoring of the safety distance (HMW), collision warning with pedestrians (PCW), warning collision with cyclists (CCW), lane departure warning (LDW) and speed limit reading warning and road signs reading (SLI), for total control of the vehicle. On-board entertainment is guaranteed by the double DIN radio with bluetooth, DAB and navigator with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and by 8 speakers (2 front, 2 rear, 2 tweeters + 2 on the roof).

20 20
2020 Isuzu D-Max N60
Isuzu D-Max N60

Isuzu D-Max N60

2020 marks the arrival of the new ISUZU D-Max: the D-Max N60. “N” like “Namibia” and “60” like ISUZU's years in the pick-up world. We are facing a totally new model, whose keywords are “Efficiency” and “Strength”. The completely revised exterior and interior design, substantial innovations on the engine, gearbox, chassis, bodywork, Infotainment system and safety systems and ADAS advanced driving aid, without leaving aside the off-road capabilities, which have been further improved, make ISUZU D-Max N60 a vehicle that wants to become the new reference in the pick-up market with a payload of 1 ton.


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