Surpassing the realms of pick-up truck ideology
The venerable Isuzu D-MAX has long set the benchmark in reliability, durability and fuel efficiency. Its reputation for balanced performance and comfort have been examplary, making it one of the country’s favourite pick-up trucks. Today, the all-new second-generation Isuzu D-MAX sets about broaching new boundries in pick-up truck design with a bigger, stronger, more efficient, comfortable and safer vehicle.
“What the original D-MAX did was to set exceedingly high standards in durability, reliability and fuel efficiency. With the all-new Isuzu D-MAX, the engineers have not only enhanced these core features, the entire package including comfort, safety and performance have also been elevated to new heights,” said CEO of Isuzu Malaysia Kimitoshi Kurokawa.
The all-new Isuzu D-MAX sports a larger body and bed, allowing the cabin and cargo area to be significantly more spacious. The sleek new wedge-shaped body profile was created with efficiency in mind. The new shape benefitted from time in the Japan Railway Technical Research Institute’s wind tunnel facilities, the same facilities that develop Japan’s famed bullet trains. The ensuing result is the lowest coefficient of drag (Cd) in its class, making the all-new Isuzu D-MAX a quieter and more efficient vehicle especially at highway speeds.
Apart from its sleek and stylish new exterior, an area that will impress is in the fresh new interior. This capacious and stylishly-finished cabin features key innovations, providing driver and passengers with an SUV-like feel. Every feature has been carefully designed to contribute towards driver and passenger comfort, ease of use and safe recognition. An example is in the position of the four-wheel drive mode selector that was previously mounted on the dashboard fascia. Now, a knurled knob sits closer to the driver just aft of the gear lever, allowing the driver to select the drive mode without needing to take his eyes off the road.
The seats in the all-new Isuzu D-MAX are designed with long-distance comfort in mind. The front seats offer excellent support while rear seat backs have the best angle in class. All three passengers have their individual head restraints as they do three-point seat belts. In the absence of a centre passenger, a foldaway arm rest can be lowered for added comfort.
Commensurate with the level of interior comfort, the all-new Isuzu D-MAX is equipped with an excellent premium audio system that produces top-notch sound reproduction. Engineers cleverly embedded a pair of class-first ‘exciter’ tweeters into the roof lining above the head of the listeners to create a grand spatial soundstage.
Under the bonnet sits a new 2.5-litre Super Commonrail engine featuring a computer-controlled Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbo system. This new engine not only provides improved throttle response and better high-end performance, Isuzu engineers have managed to balance it with reduced exhaust emissions and lower fuel consumption. This new engine produces 100 kW/136 ps at 3,600 rpm with 320 Nm of torque between 1,800 rpm and 2,800 rpm, more than matching the performance figures of the previous 3-litre model. The all-new Isuzu D-MAX now comes with a choice of 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic gearboxes, the latter with sequential shifting mode for more driver control.
In keeping with its new level of sophistication, the all-new Isuzu D-MAX receives a host of active and passive safety features aimed at satisfying the global demand for safer vehicles and to meet stringent Euro NCAP safety standards. Apart from the obvious improvements made to chassis and body dynamics that provide the Isuzu D-Max with legendary handling, the all-new Isuzu D-MAX now comes with such sophisticated features as Traction Control System(TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Inside, the seats offer whiplash protection while Isofix child seat mounts are available in the rear making the all-new Isuzu D-MAX a very capable vehicle for growing families.
Despite the high specification levels and excellent ride comfort, the soul of the all-new Isuzu D-MAX remains tough and durable. It continues to provide owners with a robust and dependable vehicle that they can confidently rely on for all the daily chores.
“I believe that with the strong Isuzu reputation for durability, reliability and fuel efficiency and the fact that the new car has made great strides in areas of design, comfort and safety, our all-new Isuzu D-MAX will satisfy a significantly wider audience than before. Therefore our target of selling 8,200 units of Isuzu D-MAX this year looks promising,” added Kurokawa.
The all-new Isuzu D-MAX is currently available at all Isuzu authorized dealers nationwide For information or for the dealer nearest to you, log on to www.isuzu.net.my or call 1-300-88-1133.
