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ISM TROOPER COMMERCIAL 3.0 LWB
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Page 39
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IPRICE AS TESTED: £18,097 (EX-VAT). ENGINE: 2,999cc, 157hp (117kW). GM 2,785kg. PAYLOAD: 731kg. AVERAGE FUEL CONSUMPTION (laden): 31.1mpg (911it/100km).
Since we last drove the Isuzu Trooper, the biggest change has been the introduction of a long wheelbase version. Unlike the Commercial in the pictures, the version we actually drove came in civilian trim with a full complement of seats and carpets. But there's no free ride on Commercial Motor, and it had a full load in the boot and was tested at maximum GVW like anything else.
Apart from the extra length, the lsuzu's recent changes are fairly modest: just engine tweaks to the EGR system and combustion chambers. By comparison with many competing products, the Isuzu looks a generation older—especially inside with its hard black plastic dash and the elderly-looking heater controls. Plain-Jane exterior styling is only livened up by the large bonnet power bulge.
The Trooper's 3.0-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine is of particular interest, fuelled as it is by the Caterpillar-designed HEUI unit-injection system. The resulting figures are 157hp at 3,900rpm and 333Nm at 2,00Orpm. The engine will spin round to 5,250rpm but there's really not much point. As you might expect from the numbers, performance is quite adequate, thank you.
The A20 climb, which can still reduce 3.5-tonners to third gear, was a formality needing a conscious effort to hold it back to 70mph. At the motorway limit, the engine is turning at a very relaxed and quiet whisker over 2,500rpm. This leisurely gait no doubt contributed to the respectable fully-laden fuel consumption figure of 31.1mpg.
All that torque means the number of gear changes is much reduced—which is handy as the shift is decidedly agricultural. The off-road controls are a mixture of mechanical, like the second lever for range changing, and the electrically switched all-wheel-drive selector. Traction is aided by limited-slip differential and automatic free-wheeling hubs.
On the road, the Trooper's suspension is resilient and comfortable, but the downside comes on the twisty bits where it's too soft, with excessive roll from the front.
That apart, the steering is very direct for a 4x4 with a surprisingly small and sporty wheel and an equally surprising turning circle. It is quite troubled by crosswinds, though, which result in both twitchy handling and wind noise at certain angles.
The split rear door leading into the 1.73m3 load compartment has its smaller section on the less-useful offside; surprising, given that lsuzu's home market drives on the same side as us—maybe it's the power of the dollar at work?
The carpeted load floor is protected by alloy rubbing strips, although the sturdy tiedowns sit proud of the floor, creating a nuisance when loading anything flat, The cabin equipment level is a mixed feast, with no toys like air-con, sat-nay or cruise c,ontrol. You do get two air bags and a clock-cum-trip-computer unit with a stopwatch, but no fuel economy reading.
The instrument panel has matching speed and revs, flanked by four smaller dials. isuzu is in that gradually diminishing minority that insists on indicators on the wrong side—the fewer that remain, the more irritating it becomes.
A less common control included here is a switch for fast engine warm-up. Switches on the door panel for windows and central locking are thoughtfully angled towards the driver. Passengers are well catered for during off-reading, with a huge grab handle on the centre console and various others scattered around on the Bpillars and roof.
The Isuzu-branded Philips radio/cassette is a bit fiddly with button labels that need reading with a magnifying glass, but comes equipped with a manual override switch to retract the vulnerable electric aerial during off-roading, and the heated mirrors fold in for the same reason.
There's an extra DIN audio mounting, ideal for an electronic tacho if you're going to be towing for profit—a task for which the Isuzu is well suited. As well as the usual cigar lighter, there are two extra power outlets, one on the dash and one in the load compartment.
Overall, the Trooper Commercial offers impressive performance that doesn't cost the earth. It just isn't at the cutting edge of fashion, if that means anything to you.