The KB returns
The new 2.5-litre Isuzu was undaunted by the Namib's dunes.
The KB's new diesel engine makes mincemeat of a tough incline.
South African bakkie buyers are farmers, builders and bundu bashers, so bakkie manufacturers can’t afford to slack off. And when the buyers start getting crabby, you have to make a plan, especially if you’re an important role player such as Isuzu, which builds only bakkies and commercial vehicles.
The problem is that Isuzu’s main competitors have been using common-rail diesel injection for almost two years, meaning quieter, more fuel-efficient and cleaner engines. They made Isuzu’s diesel bakkies seem lazy and noisy in comparison. (It’s not as if Isuzu was busy designing a cabriolet in the meantime…)
Finally, Isuzu has introduced an impressive new range of KB bakkies, which includes one new petrol and two new diesel engines.
Go! says: Take the 2.5-litre double cab 4x4 for a test drive. It’s the pick of the new KB range.
New? It looks just like the old one!
At first glance, the new KB is very familiar. Only a seasoned Karoo sheep farmer on his fifth KB would notice the new headlights, grille and air vents on the new turbodiesel models.
The interior hasn’t changed much either. It’s subtle, although the new silver plastic inlays on the instrument panel immediately catch the eye.
What does the range include?
A single and a double cab, and for the first time a bakkie with a “one-and-a-half” cab – specially for those who need safe storage space behind the front seats for cameras and other expensive gear, and want to claim VAT.
First impressions of the diesel engines?
There are two new turbodiesels in the KB range: a 2.5-litre and a 3-litre. For those who can work magic with a travel allowance on their tax return, there is a 3.6-litre V6 4x4 in the range.
Both the 2.5- and the 3-litre engines seem to be an improvement on their predecessors, but
only time will tell whether they are as robust as the legendary 2.3-litre engine that first arrived on our shores in 1983 – remember the Samurai? It was followed by the equally legendary 2.5-litre engine, which could run for 300 000 km without a hitch.
How does the diesel perform?
The 2.5-litre KB is nimble. You may think it would struggle to scale a dune, but during the launch in Namibia it coasted effortlessly up and down the dunes, and on the highway it cruised comfortably at 120 km/h.
It delivers 85 kW and 280 Nm – that’s 27 kW and 110 Nm more than the previous KB (and 10 kW and 80 Nm more than the 2.5-litre Hilux turbodiesel).
And the petrol engines?
The new 3.6-litre petrol engine is a thirsty one: At 157 kW and 313 Nm, it uses between 15,4 ℓ and 17,4 ℓ per 100 km.
What do you get for your money?
All models have air conditioning, a radio/CD/MP3 player and rear diff lock as standard. The only optional extra is leather seats.
A very convenient feature of the 4x4 models is push-button switching between low range and high range, so you don’t have to grapple with a lever on the floor.
We like…
The KB still looks like a bakkie – unlike some of its competitors, which look as if the designers emulated the sleek lines of an Alfa or a Renault.
I was impressed that, even on gravel roads, the CD player didn’t skip once!
Niggles:
Is it my imagination, or are the diesel engines still a tad noisy despite the common-rail diesel injection? The materials used on the dashboard and side panels don’t look particularly durable, and there’s a lack of storage space for things such as a cellphone, a point-and-shoot camera and a GPS. The back seat of the double cab is not spacious enough for three adults to sit comfortably on a long trip.
How much will you pay?
From R130 000 to R320 000… The “basic” long-wheelbase single-cab KB200i (petrol) starts at R130 695, and the price climbs through 10 models to R308 655 for the 360i V6 (R316 813 for the
automatic). Diesels start at R150 635 for the 2.5-litre bakkie. The 2.5-litre KB250 SO double cab 4x4 will set you back R278 333. The 14 models top out at R313 910 for the 3-litre KB300 TDi (R320 613 for the automatic).
(Note: Prices accurate in March 2008)
Comments