The Difference Between the Isuzu Elf Forward and the Isuzu Giga - Vol.301
Both the Isuzu Elf and Isuzu Giga are made by Isuzu to suit two different functions in industrial transport. In this article we will go over their main differences, highlighting which is best for which roles and usages.
These are two of the most widely used long haul trucks throughout far east Asia, both have a Japanese heritage with alternative versions manufactured by General Motors in western countries for western markets. In the west, the Elf is known far better as the Isuzu N-series. Let's see how they compare in the following areas:
Main Design Function
The Elf is designed to act as a medium duty truck, whereas the principle design function of the Giga is for the longer or heavy duty truck class. Medium trucks are usually considered for metro environments, large quantity commercial vehicles able to carry several tons of load while being compact enough to be suitable in almost all inner city urban traffic conditions.
Heavy class trucks like the Giga on the other hand are made with long haul journeys in mind. For this reason they are usually built with larger and more powerful engines, more comfortable cockpits and fitted to pull longer and wider carriages.
Giga cockpits are wider and taller, with added volume to handle standard features like air conditioning and more extensive interior lighting and space. The standard hydraulic wheel suspension the Elf cockpit will rely on solely will offer a harder ride than the more modern Giga cockpits which feature independent cockpit suspension for greater driving comfort and stability.
Power
6th generation Elfs including the heavier F (Forward) -series will make up the majority of those that quite clearly dominate the class in Asia and Australia. The common range being the standard cab with an engine size of between 8 o 10 litre Turbo Diesel.
Although the same engines are commonly used in the Giga, the standard cabin is several feet longer and fits within the recognizable heavier duty class for lorries or large wide tankers.
Geographic and Markets
As its one of the most reliable and maneuverable trucks in its class, the Elf has become a hit seller not only in Japan but across wider Asia and overseas in the Unites States in the form of the N-series. In China alone it is reported that nearly 50,000 units are being produced per year, in North America it is nearly as popular with approximately 20, 000 - 25,000 units sold per annum.
The Giga, is far less versatile, and has not reached these levels of global demand having been introduced to the market for far less time, the heavy duty class market is currently dominated by rival European and Chinese automobile manufacturers.
Comfort and ride
This is where the biggest differences will be between the two trucks, The N-series or Elf is made for versatility and to be an economical means of haulage within shorter distances, the Giga is made for heavy duty long distance driving. One you need to turn and maneuver a lot around tight spaces, the other is for greater loads in higher speeds on longer and wider roads.
The easiest way to think of it is the Elf is cheap and efficient, the Giga is a more expensive class of vehicle and is designed to provide a more luxurious ride for a driver that will be at the wheel for longer.
18-speed transmissions for smooth acceleration, specialist ISRI 6860 air-suspension under the driver's seat, and Integrated automatic air-conditioning are some of the most obvious Giga features that symbolize this difference in target consumer, and are features you will certainly not find on standard fitted Elfs or N-series.