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Tag: Isuzu

  • CAR REVIEW | Isuzu D-Max Blade; The Rugged Gentleman

    CAR REVIEW | Isuzu D-Max Blade; The Rugged Gentleman

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    There are lots of good pickups on the market today, In fact, the line between pickup and SUV is becoming increasingly blurred with every new pickup released.

    You could argue that Isuzu is one of the founding fathers of the modern pickup. Farmers and workers across the globe who need a serious workhorse have preached the word of Isuzu for years.

    Isuzu introduced us to the D-Max in 2012, and it became the standard for rugged reliability and a serious workhorse. That is still the case, however, these days there is a rich vein of luxury running through the D-Max family. We have been fortunate enough to test several of the D-Max family; the mad Arctic trucks variant, the very cool XTR and now the Blade.

    Our test vehicle is the D-Max Blade which is a double cab with all the toys.

    Talking about toys, the range-topping D-Max Blade has plenty. In terms of practicality; LED projector headlights, rear load liner, roof bars, side steps, tailgate damper, privacy glass rear windows and ours had the excellent colour coded Aeroklas canopy.

    Another cheeky little option ours had was the roof-mounted lazer light bar. You really need to see this to believe it, it literally turns night into day.

    Inside, the D-Max Blade is a very nice place to be. Standard specification is very generous and includes such luxuries as; front and rear parking cameras, climate control, leather upholstery with heated front seats, 18″ alloy wheels, and a great infotainment system.

    Isuzu has fitted the Blade with a 9″ multifunction touchscreen with DAB Radio and Bluetooth® connectivity (Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™) including Satellite Navigation. This features nine speakers (2 x front door, 2 x rear door, 2 x tweeters, 2 x roof mounted & 1 subwoofer) and a selection of USB ports and a HDMI port. It has a great sound and is easy to use.

    As we have come to expect in modern cars, there are a host of electronic aids, and you know how these manufacturers love their acronyms, so brace yourself. Some are active safety, some have a more practical use, for example; ESC (Electronic Stability Control), TSC (Trailer Sway Control), ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), BAS (Brake Assist System), HSA (Hill Start Assist), HDC (Hill Descent Control), and Front, Side & Curtain SRS Airbags. I warned you there were a few. What this tells us is that the D-Max Blade is a very safe and capable pickup.

    The 1.9-litre four-cylinder diesel engine puts out a little over 160bhp and a hefty 360Nm of torque, delivered between 2000 and 2500rpm, ensuring the D-Max has plenty of get it done power. Talking of working for a living, the D-Max will haul 1098kg which is more than most of its rivals and it’s is rated to tow a braked trailer up to 3500kg, so it will easily tow the race car trailer or boat.

    On the road, the Blade is imposing as you would expect. It has huge ground clearance, tall tyres and isn’t light. Steering is slow and progress is generally sedate, but I love it. It’s essentially a big 4×4 and drives as you would expect. It rides well, better than some others I’ve driven only beaten by the Mercedes X Class (soon to be discontinued) and the Nissan Navara. The Blade has a solid rear axle and leaf springs at the rear with struts at the front and rides well. The suspension seems well balanced and does a good job of isolating the occupants from the horrors of our appalling roads, and you feel like you could go anywhere in it.

    We felt obliged to test the Blade’s off-road ability and oh my, this is serious. Isuzu builds the D-Max to perform, and it is fantastic off-road. You would have to do something pretty crazy to get stuck in this.

    To summarise, Isuzu’s D-Max Blade is a very well-engineered, well-proven, luxurious pickup that drives well and looks good. It has great standard levels of equipment.

    The only thing to consider is that the D-Max has been around for a while and there is a new model waiting in the wings.
    A new Blade starts at £28,814 CVOTR* + VAT.

  • Isuzu D-Max XTR – an extreme lifestyle

    Isuzu D-Max XTR – an extreme lifestyle

    Isuzu is the oldest Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer. They’ve been manufacturing vehicles since 1916. 

    In the UK they are known for their tough, hardworking, dependable commercial vehicles, predominantly pickups.

    In recent years become more practical, more comfortable and nicer to drive. This was helped by the continually increasing company car users tax bills and the fact that a pickup is a commercial vehicle and as such, attracts a low, flat rate of tax for the user.

    This has led to a whole new category being spawned; lifestyle.

    A lifestyle pickup is a vehicle that is like a luxury 4×4 inside but has the practicality of a pickup. Just about every manufacturer has a toe in this water and has a lifestyle variant in their range. 

    Isuzu have a couple of contenders that fall into the lifestyle arena; the awesome D-Max AT35 Arctic truck and the D-Max Blade.

    The AT35 is really the top of the tree, and too extreme for most, whilst the Blade is very nice, very well engineering with great driving manners and equipment if a bit subtle. 

    To capitalise on the lifestyle sector, Isuzu has created their secret weapon. It’s called the XTR. 

    This is a UK exclusive model and is aimed squarely at those customers who like to personalise and modify their trucks. Aftermarket modifications are a big thing with many customers opting for wide arches, sidesteps, suspension modifications and much more. As a result, there are now a plethora of companies that offer drive in, drive out services. 

    Think of Isuzu’s XTR as a factory modified truck. That means that all of the components used are certified, tested, safe and warrantied. 

    I was invited to test the XTR on the UK launch……and test it I did.

    Our first leg was a 20-minute road drive to familiarise us with the truck. I’ve driven quite a few pickups and love them. Generally, they offer the road manners of a 4×4 but with the practicality of a pickup. Gone are the days of a harsh, utilitarian work tool. 

    We arrived at the first off-road section in the pouring rain.  This was a wood somewhere in North Wales. 

    Now, I’ve done a bit of off-roading over the years but this was another level. 

    We were guided through a very serious and challenging off-road route that took the XTR to, and past, its limits. 

    Rain had pounded the track making it a treacherous and precarious route. 

    We experienced everything from inclined, hairpin turns that lifted wheels, to fallen trees and hidden tree stumps that threatened to break the axles. Deep mud and pools of water meant that grip was hard to find and the XTR slipped and slithered along the track, often in mud so deep it was resting on the sturdy side steps. 

    With patients, technique and guidance, we made it through, demonstrating very well how unbelievable this thing is off-road. 

    From the woods, we headed to an old quarry for a different kind of off-road experience. 

    This was an old slate quarry so slippery, and with a surface that moved and changed as you travel over it. Large rocks, small sharp shards of slate and everything in between. Here we traversed some very steep inclines and declines that really tested the hill descent, off-road traction control and low range gearbox to the limit.

    Some of the drops were so sleep I had to brace myself against the windscreen while the rear axle went light. 

    I can honestly say the off-road capability of the D-Max XTR is incredible. It left me speechless (apart from several expletives I won’t mention here). 

    I mentioned before that Isuzu’s XTR is here to compete with the aftermarket custom builders. In this sector Image and customisation are key. Isuzu has met these objectives head-on with sophisticated and aggressive styling, Increased capability and bespoke specification. This is a factory custom pickup with handpicked custom and performance parts. 

    Externally there is an aggressive body kit consisting of a front bumper guard, bonnet protector, headlight surrounds and big wheel arch extensions.

    A new rear bumper and light frames and raptor coated tailgate spoiler. Decals are optional but I like them and the bigger the better. There are also some cool, unique and durable new side steps.

    Isuzu has carefully selected some very cool and serious upgrades for the XTR; Pedders lifted suspension and brakes with green springs and callipers, a new rear anti-roll bar and vented and slotted front brake discs with kevlar ceramic pads. 

    The longer suspension articulation means they had to design a new top wishbone to ensure the geometry worked. 

    It’s this kind of engineering that sets the XTR apart from aftermarket modified vehicles.

    The suspension is set up with springs and shock absorbers tuned for a more comfortable and refined ride. 

    17” bespoke XTR alloy wheels wrapped in 32″  Pirelli Scorpion™ all-terrain plus tyres do a brilliant job on and off-road.

    Inside there are leather and suede bespoke XTR heated seats, infotainment system and everything you would expect from a luxury SUV. It’s a lovely place to be.

    It’s no secret that I’m a fan of a good pickup. I really like the way they drive, you feel safe and people give you room. You’re not constantly pressured and bullied by other road users. 

    The XTR is well equipped, incredibly capable, it looks fantastic and is well priced, starting at £33,999 CVOTR.

    You can have a manual or auto. I prefer manual off-road but auto on the road. 

    Isuzu has created a secret weapon for sure here. It’s a serious piece of kit and I expect will sell very well. It deserves to.

  • CAR REVIEW | Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

    CAR REVIEW | Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

    ★★★★★ | Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

    If you’re a bit self-conscious or maybe a bit of a shrinking violet, this truck is definitely not for you.

    On the other hand, if you’re looking for something unique and something that will make a statement, this is it.

    Make no mistake though, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic trucks AT35 isn’t just a statement piece, it’s a very capable and hard working vehicle.

    Pickups or trucks as some call them, have come a long way in recent years. In the ’80s and ’90s, pickups were a utilitarian vehicle, built to work, with minimal luxuries and low levels of equipment and refinement. In the 2000s things changed and manufacturers started making pickups that were comfortable as well as functional.

    A luxurious pickup ticks a lot of boxes in my world, however, there is another step up on the pickup evolutionary ladder…….the Arctic Truck.

    The Arctic truck is probably the highest evolution of the species.

    When a dealer receives an order for one of these monsters, a standard vehicle is delivered to the dealer, then shipped to Arctic Trucks where the transformation takes place.

    The AT35 is based on the strong and durable Isuzu D-Max pick-up which is extensively enhanced by Arctic Trucks who inject 25 years’ experience of developing 4×4 vehicles capable of taking on the most gruelling conditions.

    The transformation involves carrying out a 30mm body lift with complimentary 20mm suspension lift, to give the vehicle enough ground clearance to conquer just about any terrain.

    With the huge ground clearance and suspension travel, you need a quality shock absorber set up to control the abuse this truck is built for. Arctic trucks selected Fox suspension as the brand of shock absorbers to fit to this hard core pickup.

    All this extra ability is wasted without bigger, better wheels and tyres and Arctic trucks take care of this by fitting 17” x 10” Alloy Wheels with locking wheel nuts, wrapped in 315/70 R17 Nokian Rotiiva Tyres to provide the traction needed while traversing a mountainside.

    In order to keep those huge wheels and tyres covered, there’s an oversized fender package front and rear with arctic trucks mud flaps.

    When your truck is this big, getting in and out of the cab is harder than you think. These guys take cars of that by fitting side steps and there’s also a rear receiver hitch bar for attachments such as a tow bar.

    The end result is the all-new Isuzu D-Max AT35. A pick-up truck engineered to excel in the most

    arduous conditions, and is the result of technical collaboration between two respected off-road and pick-up specialists.

    Our test vehicle had some choice extras such as the sports bar mounted lazer lights and front bumper lazer lights. These were unbelievable and turned night into day. We also had the chrome rear sports bar and the lockable mountain top roll cover. This was great for keeping the rear bed secure when I parked it on the street overnight. Another practical and aesthetic addition was the aluminium underguard kit. This covered the underside of the engine and gearbox and the rear diff. Very useful when traversing rocky terrain.

    Isuzu’s D-Max Arctic trucks AT35 comes with very comfortable leather upholstery with heated front seats, electrically height adjustable driver’s seat. There are 5 adult seats and plenty of room, front and rear.

    As you would expect, it’s loaded with equipment; Projector headlights, electric windows all around, automatic air conditioning, steering wheel mounted audio & cruise controls, keyless entry and push button start system, plus much more equipment that you would reasonably expect on this calibre of vehicle. For example; This Isuzu has Bluetooth® Connectivity, DAB Radio with eight speakers (2 x front door, 2 x rear door, 2 x tweeters & 2 x roof mounted), Apple CarPlayTM & Android AutoTM plus satellite navigation.

    In the middle of the soft-touch dashboard is a 7″ multifunction colour touchscreen and reversing camera.

    In this day and age, we expect a suite of safety features on our vehicles. Isuzu’s AT35 comes with ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) & EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). You also have BAS (Brake Assist System), HSA (Hill Start Assist) & HDC (Hill Descent Control) & rear parking sensors with a parking camera.

    With only 164 PS (162bhp), the AT35 isn’t what you would call fast. In fact, if you try to hustle this thing, you will find yourself frustrated. It’s slow off the line and when you put your foot down, it’s slow to respond. However, this style of driving is completely missing the point. I spent my time cruising around, stress-free.

    Because of the imposing nature of the AT35, people treat you with respect. I found nobody tried to cut me up or block my progress, people were polite and kept their distance. It was very relaxing for a change. Add to that the go-anywhere nature of the vehicle and I was in heaven. There’s almost no terrain this can’t conquer so you feel pretty invincible but conspicuous. It turns heads like a supercar. Sat at traffic lights, driving through town, on a country lane, in fact just about anywhere, this stands out. People are polite and even wave or take a picture. I couldn’t help thinking that if I was in a supercar, the response would be somewhat more hostile.

    Fuel economy is reasonable with quoted figures being fairly accurate; Urban 30.4 – 38.7mpg. Extra Urban 40.9 – 50.4 mpg. Combined 36.2 – 45.6mpg.

    Another ace up the Isuzu D-Max Arctic trucks AT35’s sleeve is the confidence-inspiring 5 year/125,000 mile warranty & 5 year UK & EU roadside assistance.

    In summary, I wouldn’t hesitate to have one of these as a daily, I loved driving it. We took it off-road at every opportunity and never struggled, not one bit. It’s very capable, well built, well equipped and looks outrageous. I was constantly looking back when I walked away from it. However, It’s not subtle, and for some, might be a bit too obvious.

    Price:

    Manual Transmission

    £38,545.00 CVOTR†

    Automatic Transmission

    £38,545.00 CVOTR†