Category: N-Series

First N-Series Smoother turnover by Isuzu Philippines

Gelzon de la Cruz

After launching their N-Series Smoother light-duty truck with its novel Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) just last October, Isuzu Philippines now announces the first ever unit turnover for this market. An N-Series Smoother with its innovative AMT gearbox meant for tough urban traffic was delivered last week to Kimwealth Infinity Marketing Corp., marketer of lighting and electrical hardware based in Quezon City. 

Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corp., “Isuzu PH turns over the First Isuzu N-Series Smoother to Customer,” 06 December 2021:

L-R: Mr. Raymond Jarina, Inteco President; Ms. Minelli Ong, VP of Kimwealth Infinity Marketing Corporation; Mr. Hajime Koso, IPC President; Mr. Ranvin Jarina Isuzu QA Branch Manager

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading assembler and distributor of brand-new trucks, together with Inteco President, Raymond Jarina and Isuzu Quezon Avenue Branch Manager, Ranvin Jarina, turned over the first Isuzu N-Series Smoother truck in the country to Kimwealth Infinity Marketing Corporation, a supplier of lighting fixtures and other electrical devices, located in Congressional Avenue, Quezon City.

During turnover, Ms. Minelli Ong, Vice President of Kimwealth Infinity Marketing Corporation, shared that their business is expanding, and they needed a brand-new truck to serve their need for timely and reliable delivery of products to customers.   And because of their good experience with their current Isuzu trucks, they decided to visit their trusted dealership whom she described as “Isuzu QA has always been our dealer over the years.  They ensure to provide the best quality trucks and other vehicles and provide the best after-sales service.”  When asked why she chose Isuzu N-Series Smoother, she asserted, “The concept of drive like AT, efficient like MT convinced us to buy the N-Series Smoother. “With various benefits of reduced lifecycle and maintenance costs, improved fuel efficiency, and less driving fatigue for safety will contribute a lot towards the cost-effectiveness of our company”.

On their dealer visit, Ranvin Jarina helped Kimwealth Infinity Marketing understand how the Isuzu Smoother is a better option.  As he explained, “With their countless daily deliveries and considering traffic inside and outside Metro Manila, the Isuzu N-Series Smoother is ideal since it is easy to drive, economical, and safe.  It is because of its Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) technology, an innovative intelligent gearshift system.  It operates without the clutch pedal and achieves automatic shift change by computer control. This lessens the driving stress and allows driver to focus on the road.  And because it has no clutch pedal, it is economical because there is no need to spend on clutch maintenance and no downtime due to clutch component breakdown.”  

IPC President, Mr. Hajime Koso, valued the partnership between Kimwealth Infinity Marketing Corporation and Isuzu Quezon Avenue emphasizing both companies’ commitment to their customers. “As the number one truck brand in the country, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) once again takes the lead in the Philippine truck market as we introduce the Isuzu N-Series Smoother, the first light duty truck with an automated manual transmission in the country.  This Isuzu model has long been existing and highly popular in the overseas market.  And we are confident our newest light duty truck model will have good market acceptance.   In 2020, we finished as Philippine’s top truck brand, making us number 1 truck brand for 21 years in a row.  This year, with the Isuzu N-Series Smoother we want to take the same lead”, Mr. Koso said.  

To know more about the New Isuzu N-Series Smoother truck and the rest of Isuzu Philippines’ world-class roster of commercial vehicles, log on to www.isuzuphil.com, or call your nearest Isuzu dealership.

Isuzu Philippines rolls out first automated manual transmission on light-duty commercial truck

Gelzon de la Cruz2 Comments

the NLR85E Smoother with its 4,490k gross vehicle weight, Isuzu seems to hit the sweet spot for addressing what they observe to be a growing logistics industry that’s held back by a dwindling cadre of expert drivers. The N-series Smoother brings turnkey expert driving to the mix while offering game-changing ease-of-use in typical city traffic and a weight cap plus a 10ft rear deck that give it freedom to roll on critical road arteries (like on EDSA with its reinstated ban on 4,500kg trucks).

Quezon City, Philippines | 15 October 2021–Isuzu Philippines has rolled out their latest N-Series light-duty truck, the NLR85E Smoother variant featuring an automated manual transmission (AMT) that is new here but has already been in mainstream use in Japan and other major markets.

Not a conventional automatic transmission (AT) either, Isuzu’s new Smoother uses an enhancement of the manual gearbox, an automated variation on their proven 6-speed MYY6S manual transmission (MT) where: (1) the single 325mm dry clutch plate has been replaced with same-diameter multiple wet clutches, (2) a fluid coupling with lock-up clutch replaces hard-contact with the engine’s flywheel (3) the manual foot-pedal mechanism has been removed and clutch operation has been delegated to solenoids and ECU operation, and (4) its automated operation uses algorithms that reflect truck driving best practices.

Cut out illustration of defining components of Isuzu’s automated manual transmission

On the new NLR85E Smoother with the MYY6S(AMT) gearbox, you get automated use of an otherwise manual transmission (gear selector stick but no clutch pedal) and this with a veteran driver’s knowledge and muscle memory right off the bat.  It features standard fuel-saving roll-outs in second gear, with optional override to first gear for laden or uphill starts, and an eco-mode toggle that gets you short-shifting (up-shifting early and at moderate revs) for minimized wear and maximized economy.

With the NLR85E Smoother and its 4,490kg gross vehicle weight, Isuzu squarely hits the needs of a growing logistics industry that’s held back by a dwindling cadre of expert drivers. The N-series Smoother brings turnkey driving expertise to the struggle, this while offering easy ‘matic operation in punishing city traffic, and a weight cap plus compact 10ft rear deck that give it freedom to roll on critical road arteries (like on EDSA with its reinstated ban on 4,500kg trucks).

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) president Hajime Koso confirms that this is the first time they have introduced any form of automatic or automated transmission on their light duty trucks, but he emphasizes that the Smoother‘s AMT engineering has been featured on their trucks in the Japanese market for years now.

IPC president Hajime Koso opens the Isuzu Smoother launch press-con

IPC marketing head Joseph Bautista added that although the new MYY6S(AMT) gearbox is itself imported as a completely built up component, the NLR85E Smoother that it goes into remains to be assembled here like its MT counterpart.

IPC chart comparing fuel economy of AMT-equipped N-series truck to MT counterpart and AT rival

IPC product planning head Robert Carlos said that the NLR85E Smoother could be the first of many new AMT variants and that they are studying the use of automated manual gearboxes in their other light- as well as medium- and heavy-duty models.

Starting price for the base cab and chassis NLR85E Smoother is PhP1,600,000–PhP95,000 higher than for its versatile but more conventional manual gearbox variant.

Various rear-body applications for Isuzu N-Series Smoother

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Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corp., “Isuzu N-series Smoother: drives like AT, fuel efficient like MT–the country’s number 1 truck brand introduces new innovative Automated Manual Transmission technology,” 15 October 2021:

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC)’s mission to be every customer’s partner for success continues with the introduction of its latest model, Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER.   This is the company’s first light duty truck installed with the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) technology, an innovative intelligent gearshift system.

Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER operates without the clutch pedal and achieves automatic shift change by computer control.  This means the driver gets the performance of an MT on a 2-pedal operation.  Or basically, the Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER provides the combined advantages of an AT’s easy driving operation and MT’s fuel efficiency.

“Being the number 1 truck brand in the country, Isuzu’s success comes from working closely with our customers, assessing their every need, and coming up with the best business solutions in every step of the way,” said IPC President Hajime Koso. “In the Philippines, trucks are maximized and utilized almost at 24/7 operations. And with the increasing demand for delivery, especially in logistics, truckers deal not just with the increase in their operation expenses, particularly fuel and maintenance, but also the need for more professional drivers which has become quite a problem. So, we thought, why not make our next truck address all these challenges and more,” Koso added.

The Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER promises to deliver SMOOTHER business operation and SMOOTHER driving experience with these core benefits: 

  1. Easy To Drive  – Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER is not complicated to drive.  Its gearbox is designed like that of an AT and has 2 pedals only.   Newbie drivers and even female drivers can operate this truck with ease.  This also means less fatigue for drivers during long distance driving or when in traffic congested areas. 
  1. Economical  – With the advance technology of AMT, Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER automatically selects and shifts to the appropriate gear position.  This results to good fuel efficiency, saving you from high fuel expenses. And because it has no clutch pedal, there is no need to spend on clutch maintenance.  
  1. Safety – With Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER’s 2-pedal operation, the driver does not need to worry about changing gears and can therefore focus on the driving environment.  Safe driving is given priority. 

The Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER is powered by the 3.0-liter 4JJ1-TCC engine.  That is, a 4-cylinder, Turbo-intercooler, DOHC Common-rail Direct Injection, Blue Power Diesel Engine, with a maximum output of 124 PS and a maximum torque of 354 N-m.  It is equipped with Isuzu’s latest transmission model, MYY6S, which is a 6-speed AMT.  It has a GVW of 4,490 kg and can be fitted with various body applications, as below. 

The Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER also comes with added features that upgrades the truck driving experience such as tuner radio with USB, 2 speakers, charger port, cab power window, central door lock and cab tilt warning system.  It also comes with a 3-year and unlimited mileage warranty. 

The Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER is available in all authorized Isuzu Dealerships Nationwide beginning October.  For pricing and complete details visit or call any Isuzu dealer showroom or inquire in their official FB Pages.  Visit the Isuzu Philippines www.isuzuphil.com to learn more about the Isuzu N-Series SMOOTHER or watch the official digital launch on their official Facebook page.