Dana announced on Wednesday (14 December) it will begin supplying axles and driveshafts for the 2018 Isuzu FTR. Production of this new Class 6 medium-duty truck will begin mid-2017.
The FTR will be assembled with Spicer single-reduction drive axle, E-series steer axles, and Life series driveshaft.
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"We chose Spicer axles and driveshafts due to Dana's dedication to quality and innovation," said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. "This truck represents our vision of the future for the medium-duty industry. The truck of tomorrow needs to be fuel efficient, manoeuvrable, environmentally friendly, and offer a low cost of ownership. Dana's driveline components will help achieve all of those objectives."
The FTR is designed for city delivery applications, such as beverage, box, and refrigerated box trucks. It will feature a low cab forward design for increased visibility and maneouvrability, crucial to these types of applications. These trucks will be powered by a segment-first Isuzu 4HK1-TC 5.2 litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine and will also include an Allison 2000 series automatic transmission.
Dana said its Spicer single-reduction drive axles have been engineered with stronger wheel differentials to absorb shock, providing maximum robustness for city delivery applications. Spicer E-Series steer axles with a new lightweight beam design are the lightest weight on the market, weighing up to 69 pounds less than competitive offerings. Spicer Life Series medium-duty driveshafts are the premier drivetrain offering for this market. Precision balanced for reduced noise, vibration, and harshness and permanently lubricated with a sealed spline, these driveshafts have been designed for reduced maintenance and extended product life.
Dana has previously supplied driveline and thermal components for Isuzu trucks in Japan and Thailand.
