Get FinancingIsuzu FTR Scores High Marks In Independent Testing Against Competitors
The Isuzu FTR has had something of an uphill climb when it comes to convincing some people in the trucking industry that its four-cylinder Class 6 truck could stand toe-to-toe with other vehicles in the category. To prove that the FTR belongs, a series of independent tests were performed where Isuzu’s truck was compared to five competitors along five different categories, including fuel economy, acceleration, braking, hill climb, and maneuverability. Fortunately for Isuzu, the FTR held up well in the testing, which was conducted by the Pro Formance Group (PFG) and certified by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), by winning in two of the categories and having a solid showing in the other three.
Competition & Specific Tests
The five vehicles that PFG compared the Isuzu FTR to were the Freightliner M2 106, Navistar DuraStar 4300 (from International), Hino 268A, Ford F-650, and Kenworth K270. The acceleration test, where the FTR performed averagely, consisted of a series of tests ranging from 0-to-20 mph (0-32 km/h) to 0-to-60 mph (0-to-97 km/h), as well as 30-to-50 mph (48-to-80 km/h). In the braking test, the FTR had an average stopping distance of 180 feet (55 meters) when going from 55 mph (89 km/h) to zero, and 53 feet (16 meters) when going from 30 mph (48 km/h) to zero.
The Isuzu FTR also competed well in the hill climb test, but where it really shined was in fuel economy and maneuverability. It had the best fuel economy among the trucks tested on a mountain route as well as in city driving, and it also scored a win with its 49-foot (15-meter) curb-to-curb turning diameter.
Built For Performance
The Isuzu FTR comes with a 5.2-liter Isuzu 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled engine, which offers up 215 horsepower and 520 foot-pounds (705 newton-meters) of torque as well as an Allison 2550 RDS 6-speed automatic transmission. This Class 6 truck, which comes in a standard cab configuration, also has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 25,950 pounds (11,771 kilograms) and total payload allowance of up to 15,690 pounds (7,117 kilograms). It also offers a shorter total wheelbase than many of its competitors, even when carrying a 24-foot (7.3-meter) dry freight box for example, which is what helps it achieve its impressive maneuverability.