Latest news with #CommercialVehicleShow
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Fully plugged-in Isuzu D-Max becomes official reality
Assembled in Thailand instead of locally, the D-Max EV is unlikely to debut in South Africa anytime soon as the first of the big three bakkie brands to offer an EV. Exterior changes from the conventional diesel D-Max are subtle, but easy to spot. Image: Isuzu Shown as an almost production-ready concept at the Bangkok Motor Show in Thailand last year, Isuzu has used the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham in the United Kingdom to officially unveil the first-ever all-electric D-Max simply called the D-Max EV. New outside Only open to orders from the second half of the year, with delivers commencing in March next year, the D-Max EV differs little from its diesel-powered siblings on first glance, as Isuzu will make it available in Extended Cab and double cab bodystyles. ALSO READ: Isuzu previews D-Max's EV future with pair of electrified concepts Offered in two trim grades, DL40 and the double cab-only V-Cross, the D-Max EV's visual changes from the combustion engine model consists of a sealed grille, aerodynamically-optimised 18-inch alloy wheels, blue accents, restyled LED headlight clusters and EV badges. Lack of an exhaust system and a EV badge next to the D-Max logo betrays the D-Max EV's lack of combustion engine motivation. Image: Isuzu Underneath, the ladder-frame chassis continues, but not the leaf springs for the rear suspension, which depart in favour of a new De Dion setup. Compared to the regular D-Max, the EV still measures 5 280 mm long, 1 870 mm wide and 1 790 mm tall, with its wheelbase stretching 3 125 mm. Also unchanged is the 600 mm wading depth, the 210 mm of ground clearance and the 3 500 kg tow rating. The rated approach angle is 30.5°, departure angle 24° and the payload 'over 1 000 kg'. Inside Inside, and bar changes to the seven-inch instrument cluster to reflect the electric powertrain, the D-Max EV's cabin remains otherwise unchanged, with specification consisting of the eight or nine-inch infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and front as well as rear parking sensors. Interior has undergone incremental changes from the normal diesel D-Max. Image: Isuzu Reserved for the double cab is an eight-speaker sound system versus the Extended Cab's six, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror on the V-Cross, and the Rough Terrain Mode on all grades. EV in, diesel out In terms of power, the production D-Max EV retains the same configuration as the concept shown in Thailand, a namely a dual-motor electric setup whereby a 66.9-kWh battery powers a 43kW/108Nm motor at the front, and a 97kW/217Nm unit at the rear. Combined, the system develops the same 140 kW as the 3.0-litre 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel engine, but 125 kW less torque at 325 Nm. Charging outlet now resides behind the 'fuel filler' flap. Image: Isuzu Limited to 130 km/h, the D-Max EV will still get from 0-100 km/h in 10.1 seconds despite weighing 2 350 kg. Four-wheel-drive from the start as a result of the electric motors on each axle, the D-Max EV's claimed range is 263 km, with DC charging up to 50 kW being supported. Using the latter method will require a waiting time of exactly 60 minutes from 20-80%. AC charging up to 11 kW will, however, take 10 hours from 0-100%. A no-no Assembled in Thailand rather than at the Struandale Plant in Nelson Mandela Bay where locally sourced models are made, the D-Max EV, for now, appears unlikely for South Africa as a rival for the incoming all-electric Riddara RD6. NOW READ: Isuzu removes wraps from improved, facelift D-Max
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Futuristic autonomous shuttles operating for West Midlands passengers - all you need to know
Solihull's new self-driving shuttles are now in operation - but passengers face a wait for the full route to go live as it is being rolled out in phases. The cube-like driverless buses will eventually operate a 7km route along key destinations in the borough and stops will include the bp pulse LIVE Arena, Birmingham International rail station and Birmingham Business Park. The route is going live in phases, Solihull Council has confirmed, which means that full route will only be available from the summer. READ MORE: Major Solihull update on plans to transform Mell Square shopping centre Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp However, the NEC portion of the shuttle route is now live and is shuttling visitors around for "busy events", council bosses confirmed. The fleet of autonomous buses will eventually operate a seven kilometre-route, a little over four miles, in Solihull. Solihull Council said the Solihull and Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project had been established to better understand how self-driving vehicles might feature within future transport systems. The first phase of the route, linking bp pulse LIVE Arena to the VIP & blue badge parking area, was launched on March 19 during an international trade delegation visit. Currently, the trial service is now open for passengers visiting upcoming major events at the NEC including the Commercial Vehicle Show. The first phase of the shuttle route at the NEC is live until April 7, but will be extended in further sections to link passengers from Birmingham International rail station to the NEC and Birmingham Business Park by the summer. The accessible fully electric shuttles being used have been built by New Zealand based autonomous vehicle manufacturer Ohmio, represented in the UK by Ohmio UK, and can carry up to 14 passengers. Shuttles have cameras and sensors to understand their surroundings, allowing them to interact with live traffic and move around safely. Each journey will also be tracked in real time from TfWM's control centre on Summer Lane. The project is being delivered by a consortium led by Solihull Council, including both WMG at the University of Warwick and Coventry University, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), the NEC, Coventry City Council and automated vehicle simulation specialists IPG and dRISK. Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet member for climate change and planning, said: "Connected Automated Mobility (CAM) technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we get around. "We are excited to be leading the way, not just in Solihull, but regionally and across the country, in providing learning on CAM deployments in different settings and scenarios.' 'Taking place across one of the best-connected destinations in the UK and Europe, this new Solihull-based route will join up three key assets within the UK Central Hub area, operating in a busy but controlled environment and gaining further real-world operating experience. 'As part of our continuous learning, colleagues at TfWM will be conducting a series of passenger surveys to better understand attitudes around this technology and potential barriers. "I'd encourage anyone who is interested in helping to shape the future of automated transport to check the next development dates and take a ride for themselves."
