Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, distributor of America’s best-selling low-cab-forward trucks, and Utilimaster Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialty chassis and vehicles, have announced the start of production of their “revolutionary” all-new Reach commercial walk-in van at Utilimaster’s assembly facility in Wakarusa, Indiana.
The Reach, with a body designed by Utilimaster atop a rugged Isuzu NPR chassis and powered by Isuzu’s legendary 3.0-liter diesel engine, achieves 35 percent better fuel economy than a traditional commercial van while offering the functionality of a custom-built work truck along with the styling and ergonomics of a cargo van, said Isuzu. The Reach offers best-in-class mileage and meets the latest EPA emissions standards, yet still provides true commercial truck capability and delivers a dramatically lower cost of ownership than traditional walk-in vans.
Units have already begun arriving at Isuzu’s network of over 285 dealers nationwide.
“We’re thrilled that production of the Reach has begun and that fleet and vocational buyers will soon be able to enjoy the dramatically low cost of ownership this vehicle delivers,” said Shaun Skinner, executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “The Reach truly lives up to its name - it reaches a new standard in low cost of ownership that no other commercial van can match.”
John Marshall, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Utilimaster, added: “We believe the Reach will truly revolutionize the commercial van market. We have worked extensively to design a body that offers significantly more interior height and width than other commercial vans, and it will have multiple design options to maximize utility and driver productivity.
“Beyond delivery fleets, we believe this new van will appeal to an enormous segment of the commercial truck market.”
Powering the Reach is Isuzu’s state-of-the-art, bio-diesel fuel compatible 4JJ1-TC 3.0-liter turbocharged engine generating 150 horsepower, mated to an Aisin medium-duty six-speed automatic transmission.
Both the engine and transmission have class-leading B10 durability ratings of 310,000 miles, meaning that 90% will reach that mileage before requiring an overhaul, Skinner said. And like all Isuzu N-Series trucks, the Reach meets the most stringent emissions standards in the world.
Utilimaster guided the development of the Reach’s aerodynamic shape, along with its use of composite materials, which together improve fuel efficiency and reduce interior noise. The lightweight composite materials provide a 700-pound weight savings compared to traditional aluminum and steel materials.
The Reach van also employs impact-resistant composite panels that are designed to reduce overall maintenance costs. For example, in the event of a collision, the vehicle’s lower body cladding can easily and quickly be replaced with simple tools, reducing costly downtime.
The Reach is offered with a 151-inch wheelbase with either a 12- or 14-foot body. With an interior up to 27 inches higher than a conventional van, the cargo area can offer 540 or 630 cubic feet of storage.
Unlike typical cargo vans, the Reach design allows the driver to quickly enter the cargo area without leaving the vehicle. Its array of modular vocational packages affords buyers a choice of factory- or field-installed options that are designed to take full advantage of the van’s expansive aisle width and headroom. In addition, the Reach is the only van to offer either rear swing doors or an integrated, composite roll-up door.
Additional Reach information and images are available at www.isuzucv.com.
