One of the vital requirements of any business is mobility—or the transport of both manpower and cargo. This essential element has just gotten significantly easier to address with the arrival of the Isuzu Traviz lightweight truck. The cab-and-chassis commercial vehicle, available in short- and long-wheelbase versions, is versatile enough to serve every imaginable need known to entrepreneurs.

Powered by a 2.5-liter CRDI turbodiesel engine (77hp and 176.5Nm) and equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, the Traviz measures 4,450mm (SW) or 4,600mm (LW) long, 1,695mm wide and 1,995mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,250mm (SW) or 2,400mm (LW). The short version has a curb weight of 1,290kg, while the long one tips the scales at 1,295kg—with both having a gross vehicle weight of 2,950kg.

The Traviz, which has a turning radius of just 4.5m (according to Isuzu), is underpinned by double wishbones at the front and semi-elliptical leaf springs at the back. Stopping duties are carried out by front discs and rear drums.

Because the Traviz will be sold by Isuzu as a cab-and-chassis package, several bodybuilders have been tapped and accredited to develop rear-body prototypes for the small truck. At the launch event, Isuzu presented a refrigerated body by Centro, a passenger cabin by Vario Pro and a cargo bed by Almazora.

The Traviz is manufactured in Indonesia, where it is called Traga.

“The all-new Traviz continues our tradition of providing not just reliable products but also business solutions,” Isuzu Philippines president Hajime Koso said.

Pricing for the Traviz is as follows:

• Short-wheelbase – P962,000
• Long-wheelbase – P992,000

“Transcend your business,” Isuzu invites in the marketing tagline of its latest offering. Well, why don’t you?