Allison Transmission, Isuzu, and Cummins recently hosted a Ride & Drive event for fleet customers and members of the media to showcase the new Isuzu F-Series Class 6 FTR and new Class 6 and 7 FVR trucks, exclusively equipped with Allison’s Rugged Duty Series (RDS) transmissions paired with the Cummins B6.7 engine.
At the Ride & Drive event, attendees were invited to test drive Isuzu’s recently launched F-Series vehicles featuring a low cab forward design that provides more cargo capacity versus conventional cab competitors with a comparable wheelbase. This gives customers more versatility with their body application choices to accommodate heavier or bulkier cargo loads. Customers in attendance shared their feedback on the performance of the Class 6 FTR and Class 6 and 7 FVR vehicles.
“I drove the Isuzu Class 6 vehicle when it first came out three or four years ago, and the acceleration now feels much faster than it did then,” said Philip Orosco, Director of National Fleet and Heavy Truck Sales, LKQ Corporation. “The gear shifting was also smooth. When you press your foot on the pedal the FTR transitioned very smoothly.”
“I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the Isuzu FVR was to drive. The maneuverability and visibility are terrific,” said Heather Haberstroh, New Vehicle Acquisition Supervisor, Enterprise Fleet Management. “I very much enjoyed driving the Class 7 truck. Despite its large size, visibility while driving is great, and it was also easy to maneuver around the cones on the course with very little effort.”
“The Isuzu FVR model is much easier to maneuver than I first expected. It’s very comfortable,” said Natashia Wright, Regional Fleet Maintenance Team Lead, Carvana. “Once you learn to turn properly, it’s so simple to operate even compared to some cars I’ve driven. I really love this truck.”
The Isuzu Class 6 FTR model is equipped with the Allison 2550 RDSTM six-speed fully automatic transmission, and the Class 6 and 7 FVR features the 2500 RDS model. Allison’s RDS transmissions, with available FuelSense 2.0 software, are paired with the proven Cummins B6.7 diesel engine to increase performance and provide drivers with control. The powertrain is engineered to provide the optimal blend of power and reliability that drivers expect from this combination along with the fuel economy improvements that fleet owners need to reduce emissions and meet evolving industry standards.
The 2022 Isuzu F-Series is available now at Isuzu’s network of over 300 dealerships, located in all 50 states.
