Isuzu Bellel, Japan's First Diesel-Powered Passenger Car

KatadataOTO – Isuzu Bellel is one of the luxury sedans that enlivened the passenger vehicle segment in Japan in the 1960s.

However, many do not know that the Isuzu Bellel is considered a pioneer of diesel-powered passenger cars in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The Isuzu Bellel was fitted with many components from the Hillman Minx, a product that was a collaboration with Rootes Motors Limited in England.

But there were some key differences from the Hillman Minx. The Bellel was fully developed by Isuzu and its standard version could accommodate up to six passengers.

Photo : KatadataOTO

Meanwhile, the Hillman Minx used a four-passenger base and was then modified for six passengers without changing the vehicle's dimensions.

The Isuzu Bellel was claimed to be more comfortable for accommodating many passengers thanks to its larger dimensions.

One Isuzu Bellel unit can be seen in person at the Isuzu Plaza museum in Fujisawa, Japan. Its appearance is elegant and still identical to the Hillman Minx.

It looks old-fashioned due to its round headlights, but was luxurious for its time. Several exterior parts are wrapped in a chrome finish, including the grille and wheels, making it look even more elegant.

Speaking of the powertrain, the Isuzu Bellel was equipped with a water-cooled inline 4-cylinder diesel engine codenamed DL201, with a capacity of 2,000 cc.

The engine and drivetrain configuration was claimed to produce 41 kW of power, or the equivalent of 54 hp.

However, it was mentioned that the Isuzu Bellel was also available in gasoline-engine variants, with capacities varying at 1,500 cc or 2,000 cc.

Referring to the information on its official page, the Isuzu Bellel has a length of 4,485 mm, a width of 1,690 mm, a height of 1,493 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,530 mm. Its weight is 1,230 kilograms.

Thanks to its role as a pioneer of diesel-engine passenger cars in Japan, the Isuzu Bellel won the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Award in 1962.

Photo : Secret Classics

The Isuzu Bellel was also described as a product with its own uniqueness and excellent technical specifications.

In Japan, during its time, the Isuzu Bellel was widely used as a commercial vehicle, such as a taxi, because its diesel engine was said to have high efficiency.

Currently, the Isuzu Bellel is no longer in production. They are focused on presenting commercial vehicles and buses, with both gasoline engines and electrification, including Electric Vehicles (EV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).