To celebrate six decades of truck heritage in SA, Isuzu has relaunched SBR 500 and JCR 800 Special Edition trucks.
The models were synonymous with durability, reliability and affordability that made them household names in the trucking industry.
The SBR 500 was introduced in the 1970s and became a cornerstone product of SA’s trucking landscape, said an Isuzu Trucks spokesperson.
“The SBR 500’s adaptability made it a vital part of industries ranging from logistics and agriculture to construction and recovery. Known for withstanding the test of time, many SBR 500 trucks are still operational today, a testament to their enduring quality and Isuzu’s robust aftersales network,” he said.
The re-launched SBR 500 Special Edition incorporates modern-day performance enhancements. With a GVM of 8,999kg it strikes a balance between size and functionality.
It is operable with a Code 10 (C1) driver’s licence, making it accessible for a wider range of operators. With its GVM below the 9,000kg threshold, the SBR 500 is exempt from the 80km/h speed restriction, enabling it to travel at speeds of up to 100km/h where permissible.
With a permissible body and payload mass of 5,693kg, the SBR 500 Special Edition is ideal for urban deliveries, refrigerated transport, municipal services and vehicle recovery, the company says.
It produces 176kW of power and 706Nm of torque and has a manual transmission.
The larger JCR 800 is a medium-duty truck with a 15,000kg GVM and permissible body and payload of 10,070kg. It is powered by the same turbo diesel engine as the SBR.
Isuzu Trucks has been the top selling brand in SA’s medium and heavy commercial vehicle truck segments for the last 12 years. In 2024 it sold 10,009 trucks (cab-over-chassis, excluding panel vans and busses), a 2.2% increase over the year before, and increased its market share from 28.5% to 30.7% over the same period.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.