The Isuzu Thread

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 2020 UK review

Should I buy one?

If you really want one, I'm not sure anything else will quite do, will it? At least unless you're going to buy something else and take it to Arctic Trucks or another modifier for a similar bunch of tweaks. The nice thing about the AT35 is that it comes straight via Isuzu as an official product and complete with the usual warranty and guarantees that the key capabilities - towing and load capacity - remain unchanged.

So yes, the mix of silly and sensible continues all the way to the buying process.

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks specification

Where Oxfordshire, UK Price £40,995 before VAT (CVOTR) On sale Now Engine 2499cc Power 161bhp at 3500rpm Torque 295lb ft at 1400-2000rpm Gearbox 5spd auto Kerb weight 2110kg Top speed 100mph (est) 0-62mph 12sec (est) Fuel economy na CO2 na Rivals Ford Ranger Raptor, Volkswagen Amarok


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Isuzu South Africa hands over media fleet to help fight COVID-19

Isuzu Motors South Africa has made its media fleet available to Gift of the Givers in support of the non-governmental organisation's plan to “augment public health services” in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The disaster relief group has set up a coronavirus testing facility in Johannesburg and plans to extend this service to Durban, while also supporting medical professionals with protective wear and supplying essential medical equipment.

Denise van Huyssteen, Isuzu Motors SA’s corporate affairs, business strategy and legal executive, said the media would not be able to evaluate its vehicles during the nationwide lockdown period anyway.

“Instead of the bakkies parked during this time, they could be utilised to help curb the spread of the COVID-19,” Van Huyssteen said.

 
Good news! Isuzu SA extends service plans by two months

Isuzu South Africa has extended its service and maintenance plans by two months to ensure customers are not negatively impacted by the lockdown which is currently in place.

There around 80 dealers around the country who are ready to carry out the required maintenance after the lockdown period, according to the company.

Isuzu says the two-month extension is applicable to customers who have the standard service plan or are on the company's mobility plan. The five-year or 90 000km service plan is included in the purchase price of all D-Max bakkies or mu-X models, with service intervals scheduled every 15 000km or annually, whichever comes first.

Customers have the option of extending the standard service plan up to a maximum of six years or 200 000km via the mobility plan from the date of first registration and can access this service through an Isuzu dealer.

 
Isuzu D-Max GO2 Ready to Conquer the Wild

With time and money, your Isuzu D-Max can become a unstoppable offroader.

The Isuzu D-Max, in standard form, is already well-respected for its outstanding reliability record as well as its formidable workhorse ability in tough terrain. However, with time and money, any vehicle, the D-Max included, can be elevated to the next level. Take this UK-built Isuzu D-Max GO2 as an example.

Perhaps the most prominent feature is the heavy-duty front bumper which has an ARB Sahara bar and is further equipped with a Britpart power winch, which according to Isuzu, is capable of pulling 4 tons, which is noteworthy.


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Pricing! Refreshed Isuzu MU-X seven-seater touches down in South Africa

Isuzu Motors South Africa has launched an updated version of its MU-X, handing the bakkie-based seven-seater SUV a series of upgrades inside and out.

Two years after the model’s arrival in SA, the Japanese firm’s local division says the MU-X has gained an “eye-catching array of styling enhancements” for the exterior, along with “more sophisticated and upmarket finishes” for the cabin.

Furthermore, the two-model range gains a brake override system, which restricts accelerator input if the brakes are applied at the same time.

The rear-driven variant is now priced at R630 400, while the 4x4 model comes in at R698 200.

Up front, the MU-X gains a fresh grille design, a restyled bumper (incorporating colour coding for the upper section and a contrasting gloss-black finish for the lower portion) and revised foglamps.


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We chat with new Isuzu CEO, Billy Tom

Only a few days into being in the hot seat at Isuzu, we speak to the Japanese marque's new local CEO and MD, Billy Tom.

We recently reported on the appointment of Billy Tom (50) as the new CEO and MD of Isuzu, a brand which has been re-energised since "going it alone" following the departure of General Motors. Tom seems perfectly suited to the job, with not only previous experience with General Motors itself but also in the banking and FMCG sectors, education in the Eastern Cape (Rhodes University) and a passion for farming, all of which will stand him in good stead with a brand such as Isuzu.

Business in a post-COVID19 world

Perhaps predictably, Tom's first days in the office will be focused on getting business going again in a very different consumer landscape. "A lot has changed," he says, "the motor industry will never be the same again. Social distancing, for example, is here to stay, but beyond that, we need to figure out how consumer demands have changed, and consequently how we should change our business."

"A good example is our online presence," he explains. "People are still kicking tyres, but they're doing it on the Internet, so we have to ensure that our platforms and systems are as user-friendly as possible. Our customers are our reason for existence and we need to always ensure that we put their needs first.”

 
All-New Isuzu D-Max: SA Details

The all-new Isuzu D-Max has been revealed. Here's what you need to know about the popular bakkie, which finally gets a new model after 8 years.

The new Isuzu D-Max will be built in South Africa and it will be powered by a revised version of the current 3.0-litre turbodiesel motor packing 140 kW and 450 Nm. Under the skin, there's extensive work done to the chassis and the suspension.

For the 4x4 enthusiasts, there's 800 mm of wading depth, as well as a rotary transmission selector featuring 2 High, 4 High and 4 Low, as well as Hill Descent. The all-new Isuzu D-Max features ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Stability Control, Hillstart Assist, 8-way parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Just over six months ago Isuzu Motors of Japan confirmed that it will be investing R1.2 billion into the next-generation D-Max bakkie programme in South Africa, while an additional total local content value of R2.8 billion will be generated through the lifecycle of the programme. We expect the all-new Isuzu D-Max to go on sale locally in mid-2021.

 
Where they still fall short is in the interior, it look like some Chinese interior.

True, you must admit though, Isuzu are learning, well trying at least with the latest models.

this was a 2015 model KB250.

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Isuzu says new D-Max was ‘benchmarked’ against Hilux and Ranger

An Isuzu official has confirmed the Japanese company benchmarked its new D-Max against both the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, the sales leaders in this bakkie segment in many major markets.

Speaking to CarsGuide, Isuzu spokesperson Eiji Mitsuhashi said the automaker had the segment’s most popular bakkies squarely in its sights when it was developing the new D-Max.

“The Toyota Hilux, and also Ford vehicles, were the benchmark for this car,” Mitsuhashi told the publication.

“The D-Max is now also widely demanded as a passenger vehicle, so we also have to take that into consideration,” he added.


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Isuzu's new special edition D-Max

Better off-road ability for D-Max.

Isuzu fans might be waiting in great anticipation for the third-generation D-Max, but that does not mean the Japanese bakkie brand is completely done with its current double-cab.

The new Boondock edition is certainly one of the very last second-generation D-Max upgrades that will come to market, as the third-generation version is due for its global rollout soon. It also shows what is possible with the Isuzu RT-series platform.

Distinguishing the Boondock from other D-Max double-cabs are bold mountain-themed side graphics, which spread across the doors and cabin pillars. Below the cab there are running boards, featuring a honeycomb structure, to ensure superior mud-shedding in off-road terrain.

Isuzu’s product team are not targeting leisure or lifestyle buyers with the Boondock edition D-Max. This double-cab is aimed at adventurous off-roading customers and as such, it rolls Yokohama Geolander G015 tyres, sized 265/70.


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Pricing! Isuzu D-Max X-Rider bakkie handed 3,0-litre turbodiesel

Isuzu Motors South Africa has extended its X-Rider double-cab bakkie range to include the flagship 3,0-litre turbodiesel engine.

Until now, the X-Rider nameplate has been applied exclusively to the 2,5-litre oil-burning engine. But now the special-edition D-Max 3,0 TD X-Rider 4x2 AT has joined the local range.

The newcomer draws its urge from Isuzu’s familiar 130 kW turbodiesel unit, which generates peak twisting force of 380 N.m between 1 800 and 2 800 r/min. A six-speed automatic transmission drives the rear wheels.

Priced at R551 100, the D-Max 3,0 TD X-Rider 4x2 AT interestingly slots in below the standard 3,0 AT LX variant (which is priced from R592 800) and commands a R66 900 premium over the 2,5-litre X-Rider 4x2 AT.

So, what do you get in this latest X-Rider package? Well, the upgrade includes black roof rails, a black sports bar (complete with a red “X-Rider” logo), black running boards, a black tailgate handle (with reversing camera) and a towbar to take advantage of the 3,5-tonne braked towing capacity.


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Isuzu ‘studying’ option of D-Max variant to rival Ford Ranger Raptor

The head of Isuzu in Australia says the Japanese firm is “studying” the possibility of developing a flagship D-Max variant to rival the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor.

According to GoAuto.com.au, Isuzu Ute Australia director Yoshi Yoshida said the company was “monitoring” demand for variants with added off-road ability and more aggressive styling.

“We see that the competitors like [Nissan Navara N-Trek] Warrior and [Ford Ranger] Raptor, some customers really like those vehicles,” Yoshida said.

“We will keep monitoring that demand and we are also studying if that kind of vehicle is really appreciated by the market or not.

“So, yes, we are having that study internally, but at this moment no clear plan to introduce such a vehicle,” Yoshida added.

 
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