Isuzu Faster Second Generation 1980–1994
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
MY1981–1982 Chevrolet LUV 2-door pickup (US)
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Isuzu Faster-Z (Thailand) Isuzu KB Isuzu P'up Bedford KB Chevrolet LUV Holden Rodeo |
| Production | 1980–1980 1980-1994 (Indonesia) |
| Assembly | Japan: Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Chile: GM Chile Arica Plant New Zealand: Trentham Thailand: Samrong, Samut Prakan Indonesia: Bekasi, West Java (until 1994) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door cab chassis 2-door pickup truck 2-door pickup truck (Space Cab) 4-door pickup truck (Crew Cab) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L G161Z I4 (gasoline) 1.6 L 4ZA1 I4 (gasoline) 1.8 L G180Z I4 (gasoline) 1.8 L 4ZB1 I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L G200Z I4 (gasoline) 2.3 L 4ZD1 I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L C190 I4 (diesel) 2.2 L C223 I4 (diesel) |
| Dimensions | |
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The second generation was more commonly marketed worldwide under the Isuzu label (either as the "Isuzu KB" or just plain "Pick Up").
It continued to use the "Rodeo" suffix for the four-wheel drives. The second generation model was the first Isuzu pickup offered in three cab styles: single cab, double cab and "Space Cab" ("Sports Cab" in some markets). Sales in the UK continued as the Bedford KB.
This generation was not shared with the GM North American GMT325 platform, which replaced the North American Chevrolet LUV in 1982.
Australasia
Holden in Australasia distributed the second generation Isuzu Faster between January 1981 and August 1988 as the first generation or KB series "Holden Rodeo", for which production started in December 1980. Early KBs were fitted with circular headlamps and a horizontal four-bar grille, but a 1983 model year facelift in December 1982 brought rectangular lamps with a 12-port grille insert as well as restyled side mirrors.
At launch, Holden made the Rodeo available in utility (pickup) and cab chassis body variants in both rear- (LWB) and four-wheel drive (SWB) layouts. All models featured a floor- or column-mounted four-speed synchromesh manual transmission coupled with the 1.6-liter gasoline or 2.0-liter diesel engines. The 1983 model year update increased these displacements to 1.8- and 2.2-liters, respectively. At the same time a new upmarket "LS" model was issued (coded KB28), fitted with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and five-speed manual. For the 1984 year model, beginning in February 1984, the 2.0-liter became the base gasoline engine.
The 1985 model from July the same year signalled another facelift, the release of the two-door Space Cab body style, the debut of a new 2.3-liter gasoline engine, and the deletion of the four-speed manual and column-shift selector (making the floor-mounted five-speed manual standard). From March 1986 (1986 model year), the 2.3-liter became the standard gasoline engine and in April the subsequent year, the 1987 models obtained a final facelift with an open rectangular grille design and optional power steering.
Versions with unique local specifications were assembled in New Zealand at GM's Trentham assembly plant. These were also badged Holden.
North America
The United States continued to receive the Faster under the "Chevrolet LUV" name for the second generation, introduced in 1980 for the 1981 model year. The gasoline engine remained the same, but the LUV was now available with an Isuzu C223 diesel engine making 58 hp (43 kW) at 4300 rpm and 93 lb⋅ft (126 N⋅m) at 2200 rpm. This new engine gave the rear-wheel drive diesel LUV a fuel economy rating of 33 mpg‑US (7.1 L/100 km) city / 44 mpg‑US (5.3 L/100 km) highway.
After the 1982 model year, General Motors stopped selling the Chevrolet LUV (although many '82s lingered on forecourts into the next year) in the United States in favor of their own S-10 compact pickup. Meanwhile, Isuzu had sold their version in parallel with the LUV since their 1981 entry to the US market, under the name "Isuzu P'up" (short for "pickup"). Isuzu's version received another grille and other differences to set it apart from the LUV, not the least of which are the giant "ISUZU" block letters on the tailgate. The P'up received the same engines as the LUV; either a 80 hp (60 kW) 1.8-liter gasoline inline-four (G180Z) or a 2.2-liter diesel version with 58 hp (43 kW) (C223). Four-wheel drive was available with either engine but only in short wheelbase form, though some 4WD long-wheelbase diesels are known to exist, possibly dealer-installed or aftermarket conversions. Because of technology-sharing agreement between GM and Isuzu, the diesel was also offered with the LUV's replacement until 1985.
South America
As with North America, the Isuzu Faster was issued under the name "Chevrolet LUV" in South America. Manufactured in Chile from Japanese complete knock down (CKD) sets, these models entered production in 1980 to be exported to other South American countries, continuing on until the release of the TF series in 1988. At the start, the versions assembled were the K-26 and K-28. It was offered with a 1584 cm³ (G161Z) engine, it was also offered a (C190) diesel version of 1951 cm³ with eight valves in the cylinder head and 62 horsepower.
