Pick-ups


LAUNCH Isuzu has updated its D-Max pick-up, with more equipment, improved technology, increased safety and a refreshed look.


the world, Isuzu has always gone its own way with D-Max. While there have certainly been high specification mod- els on offer, the company has built its reputation on hard-working trucks, rather than luxury car alternatives. That hard work ethic starts with a sturdy chassis and the new D-Max gets an extra cross rail and larger chas- sis rails, to deliver improved rigidity. This helps to reduce noise and vibra- tion, while also improving handling on and off the road. Larger cab mounts also contribute to reduced NVH, re- sulting in a quieter cab environment. The wheelbase has been increased by 30mm, to provide improved in-cab space, particularly in the rear. De- spite having a longer cab and a slightly


A


s a major player in the global pick-up market, selling around 650,000 trucks a year around


Lane Keeping and Rear Cross Traffic Alert on every model. The trucks also get auto wipers and headlights, with High Beam Assist. Inside the cab, Utility models have manual air conditioning, DAB radio with Bluetooth, power windows, Stop & Start and remote central locking with a follow-me-home function. The mid-range All Purpose line-up


includes the DL20 and DL40 models. DL20 can be had in extended or dou- ble-cab, while the DL40 is double-cab only. The DL20 adds the rear differen- tial lock, 18” alloys, adaptive cruise con- trol and Lane Keeping Assist if you opt for the auto transmission, front fogs, rear parking sensors and body-colour- ed bumpers.


The DL40 gets Bi-LED headlights, LED front fogs, daytime running lights and rear lights, a reversing camera, leather upholstery, electric driver’s seat, dual zone climate control and a 7” touchscreen. Finally, Isuzu has the Adventure range, with the new V-Cross replacing the previous Blade model. The V-Cross comes with gun- metal grille and side steps, auto head- light levelling and a 9” touchscreen. The Adventure range will grow over time, with a replacement for the cur- rent XTR and AT35 models. “We will always be known as a work-


Picking up sales


longer pick-up bed though, the D-Max is actually shorter overall, as the more vertical front end and 30mm higher bonnet line have reduced the front overhang.


As others moved to ever more pow- erful and larger engines, Isuzu went the other way, launching its 1.9-litre diesel engine in 2017. That Euro 6D motor remains unchanged for this it- eration, still pumping out a healthy 164hp, with 360Nm of torque. Six- speed manual and automatic trans- missions are also on offer, though the automatic has been improved, to of- fer 25% swifter gear changing and response. The company has added a rear differential lock into the equa- tion, as standard on its mid and high- range trucks, while all D-Max get larg- er brakes to reduce fade and improve service life. Talking of ranges, Isuzu has shuf-


18 VANUSER • MAY 2021


fled the pack to create three distinct pick-up lines. Utility is the base line, though there is nothing basic about the hard-working models. Utility trucks can be had with single, extended or double-cabs and they feature 16” steel wheels on single cab models and 18” steel wheels on extended and dou- ble-cab models. The trucks also come with black bumpers, door handles and mirror housings.


Thanks in part to the adoption of electric power assisted steering, all D-Max trucks now benefit from a com- prehensive range of ADAS systems, contributing to the pick-up’s re- cent Euro NCAP five-star rat- ing. This includes Forward Col- lision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Depar- ture Warning and Prevention, Blind Spot Monitor, Emergency


All D-Max trucks now


benefit from a


comprehensive range of ADAS systems


“


ing pick-up,” said managing director William Brown. However, even Isuzu will be offering a wider range for the dual-purpose and leisure markets. Traditionally 50% of UK sales have been the working and all-purpose trucks, with a further 30% going to national fleet and just 20% of sales into the adventure market. But Brown sees that changing, by 2025 he believes that 45% of sales will be all-purpose, 25% national fleets and up to 30% adventure buyers. This is partly due to the chang- ing landscape in the UK pick-up market, with Mitsubishi, Nis- san, Mercedes and VW all dropping out, there is a grow- ing space for Isuzu in all are- as of the sector. In 2019, when the D-Max was last updated, Brown said that he was hoping continued on page 20


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