Not Just Trucks, Here's a Look at Isuzu Military Vehicles

KatadataOTO – Isuzu is an automotive manufacturer from Japan known in Indonesia for its commercial vehicle products. There are trucks, pickups, and double cabins.

However, in its home country, there is a unique product displayed at the Isuzu Plaza, Yokohama, Japan. 

The model is a tactical vehicle named the Isuzu SKW. The vehicle, used for military purposes, is wrapped in a dark green color.

In Japan, the Isuzu SKW is known for being used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for transporting people as well as supplies or logistics. 

Photo : KatadataOTO

During the great earthquake in Japan in March 2011, the Isuzu SKW was said to have continued operating normally in delivering logistics, including to areas flooded by the tsunami.

“This is only used in Japan (the Isuzu SKW), it's a military vehicle,” explained Atsunori Murata, Business Director of PT Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia (IAMI) at Isuzu Plaza, Japan (28/10).

Although it is only sold in Japan, he said it does not rule out the possibility of the product being used in Indonesia, especially if the government is interested.

The Isuzu SKW was first developed in 1973. However, its sales were not as high as passenger vehicles and other models.

From the exterior, the Isuzu SKW looks like a typical military vehicle. There are not many ornaments on the body, which is dominated by the color green.

Interestingly, this vehicle does not use a manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic.

The engine embedded in the Isuzu SKW is coded 6UZ1-TCR with a capacity of 9,839 cc, producing 295 hp at 2,000 rpm and a peak torque of 1,220 Nm at 1,400 rpm.

This power is distributed to all six wheels using a 6x6 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. 

Photo : KatadataOTO

For the undercarriage, the Isuzu SKW uses a leaf suspension at the front and a trunnion suspension for the rear wheels.

In terms of dimensions, this vehicle has a length of 7,410 mm, a width of 2,485 mm, and a height of 3,180 mm. Its weight is 15,110 kilograms, and it can accommodate a maximum load of 6,000 kilograms.

The rear bed of the Isuzu SKW is produced by Kodaira Sangyo Corporation, with L x W x H dimensions of 4,500 mm x 2,290 mm x 1,780 mm.