A trusted workhorse through and through, with lots of class - that’s the general verdict on Isuzu Ute’s new D-Max range which made its grand debut at Fieldays in Mystery Creek last week.
The National Fieldays launch saw the release of the D-Max 2WD LS High Ride, 4WD SX, 4WD LS-M (manual) and 4WD LS-U (auto), all double cab Crew Utes, into the New Zealand market.
Isuzu Utes NZ Ltd, which launched officially in New Zealand last week, sold more a dozen vehicles over the four days of Fieldays.
“We were very surprised with the recognition of D-Max,” said Greg MacDonald, general manager.
“People came in to say they’d heard Isuzu was returning … and they had much greater awareness of its features and benefits than we expected.
“Better still, we sold a dozen vehicles during the four days … that really caught us by surprise.
“We will begin delivering those pickups this week,” said Mr MacDonald.
Known for its toughness, the robust 4WD and 2WD Crew Cab Utes took everything thrown at it in a recent off-road test over rugged mountain terrain in New South Wales, and came out of it with flying colours.
And it is the Isuzu trucking DNA (hence D-Max) that has stood the vehicle in good stead around the world, says Hitoshi Kono, managing director of Isuzu Ute Australia.
“A proven vehicle that can do the job and do it for a long time,” said another Isuzu executive Jason Hodder, a Kiwi who has been in Australia for a long time.
Says MacDonald: “Isuzu is very much a Kiwi story.
“The brand is well-known here and has a strong reputation on farms and throughout rural districts, and in town among contractors and service trades.
“Plus of course the double-cab D-Max is a great truck for private owners with a taste for adventure.
“Like all of these owners, everyone involved with Isuzu pickups nationwide is proud to call New Zealand home.”
My off-road testing took place over the rugged “tracks” in the forest just outside the Riverside Oaks golf resort in Cattai, just under an hour’s drive from the Sydney CBD.
Powered by the much trusted Isuzu 4JJ1-Hi-Power 3-0 litre, 16-valve, VGS intercooled turbo-diesel engine, which is the common configuration across the 15 D-Max variations, the test vehicles proved to have a no-nonsense approach to tackling the tough jobs at hand.
When it comes to work, Isuzu D-Max is the real deal in one-tonners. With power where you need it, heavy duty rear suspension and a unique extra long 3.2m wheelbase for maximum load floor length and better driving, it’ll get the job done. And with Isuzu’s advanced turbo-diesel fuel efficiency, it’ll get it done for less.
The five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are special low-friction designs to help save fuel and run quietly.
Beating it to the bush, hauling the boat up the ramp, or simply shooting through to the surf, you’ll find a D-Max 4x4 to suit – in Crew Utes there’s the SX, the LS-M, and the LS-U.
They all stride high and wide, at least 225mm off the dirt, on 16-inch x 7-inch rims shod with meaty 245/70 tyres. And when highway turns to byway, simply push the 4H dash button to shift seamlessly to 4WD High at up to 100km/h.
Shared with Isuzu two-tonners, the Hi-Power diesel engine balances economy with performance. The common rail hyper pressure fuel injection means high torque and economy, low emissions and noise. Lifetime stainless steel timing chain (not poly belt) avoids replacement.
Starting off on tarsealed road, there was no noticeable fluctuation in grunt as the D-Max took to gravel roads (uphill and down) with much ease, handling it gracefully.
Although an empty tray provided negligible bounce, a load would definitely have given a firmer ride.
Inside, you won’t go wanting in the D-Max LS, with plenty of space and all the mod cons right at your fingertips: air conditioning, electric fold-in/out door mirrors, power windows, with one touch driver’s glass control, cup holders and pockets aplenty come as standard. Not to mention the cruise control, and stylish flush fascia CD/FM/AM/MP3 enabled audio with six speakers.
Safety-wise, there are dual front airbags, an energy absorbing nose section protecting the rigid cabin cell, a collapsible steering column and side impact anti-intrusion bars inside all doors.
Seatbelts are all retractable lap/sash while head restraints and outer seatbelt upper mounts all adjust for height, excepot for the cab’s rear flip-up seats. ABS (Anti-skid Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) make for even greater peace of mind.
Workhorse or plaything, the Isuzu D-Max is a comfortable and competent town and country machine – therefore not surprising at all why it was named Ute of the Year 2010 by the Delivery and 4WD Action magazines in Australia.
The drive day in Cattai also brought together several local government officials and corporate fleet managers who put the D-Max through its paces, coming away from it impressed with its strength and ease of driving.
As one Optus telecommunications company fleet executive told me: “With the Government rolling out broadband into the rural areas, this is one good vehicle to get to the rural areas, this is one good vehicle which can handle tough terrain as well have the grunt to do the job.”
While bearing all features of well muscled workhorse always ready for the hard yards, the Isuzu D-Max 4WD is sophisticated enough to flaunt in town and country – definitely one you want to take home.
Dealerships (maybe in box)
Isuzu pickups will shortly be at dealerships from Whangarei to Invercargill. Current dealers are: Napier/Hastings: Bayswater Vehicles; Palmerston North: McVerry Crawford Motors; Taupo: Wings and Wheels; Waikato: Waikato Motor Group; Christchurch: Silvestor Isuzu; Nelson: Bowwater Isuzu; Tauranga: Tauranga Isuzu; Auckland Central: Winger Commercial Isuzu; North Shore: North Harbour Isuzu.
Pricing has now been confirmed for the tough stylish D-Max range:
Four double-cab models are available nationwide. Recommended retail prices, including GST:
D-Max LS 2WD manual, Double cab with high-rise suspension $45,990
D-Max LX 2WD/4WD manual, Double cab with high-rise suspension $48,990
D-Max LS 2WD/4WD manual, Double cab with high-rise suspension $53,990
D-Max LS 2WD/4WD auto, Double cab with high-rise suspension $56,990
arvind.kumar@ruralpr ess.com
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