Unless you've been in hiding overseas for the past couple of years you have probably noticed the dramatic increase of dual cab utes flooding our roads. No longer just a pure workhorse, this form of practical motoring has also become a fashion item as sports ute. On top of that there's now a wide choice of vehicles: everything from Great Wall budget offerings from China to veteran truck maker, Isuzu's D-MAX.
In between that duo there's Ssangyong from Korea, and the evergreen offerings Toyota HiLux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT 50 and Ford Ranger. Even VW are about to join the fray with their Pickup, a concept featured at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show. Isuzu entered the Australian market officially 12 months ago under the banner IUA – Isuzu Ute Australia – based in Brisbane and have just announced upgrades to two of the maker's three variants, the D-MAX dual cab and the D-MAX space cab.
A four-speed auto transmission is now available in it's D-MAX SX mid spec 4 X 4 and 4 X 2 crew cab utes while standard cruise control has been added to all SX variants. In addition the top of the range LS crew cab utes have been given a freshen up. The conservative D-MAX shape stays, but the LS-U 4 X 4 and LS 4 X 2 crew cab utes have been given a new face in the form of a chrome grille featuring a prominent central cross bar and `sabre-tooth' details, plus new double spoke alloy wheels.
At the same the space cab has been upgraded from two seats to four with only a small impact on the cabin storage space behind the front seats. The unit now features twin `jump' seats with multiple folding modes. This variant continues as an SX 4 X 4 cab/chassis manual.
The new seating arrangement is a clever use of space which allows great flexibility for tradies who at different times need a four seater, or a two seater with plenty of storage, in addition to the tray. Under each seat squab there's a box with a flat load platform lid under which are segmented small tool storage racks. These boxes flip forward and fill the rear foot-well recesses. They fold flat and level with the prop shaft tunnel and give a near-flat platform across the cabin floor behind the front pews.
Both rear seats have a three point seat belt, cup holder and side pocket and each have a window with rear opening. A backrest pad stretches across the full width of the cabin. The addition of cruise control and the rear seats adds $700 to the bottom line of the two-door space cab. Isuzu also announced all D-MAX SX variants would gain five-speed intermittent wipers and silver hubcaps for the 16 inch drilled steel wheels to replace black. The automatic option on the 4 X 2 SX crew cab also includes the 4 X 4 high-ride suspension with 225mm of ground clearance, wheel arches, 16 inch wheels and 245/70 tyres.
Auto is not available on the cab/chassis models due to their unique 150mm longer wheelbase of 3200mm, which ensures ideal weight distribution over the rear end. All D-MAX manuals have a five speed shifter. Auto has always been available in the D-MAX LS, LS-M and LS-U. In all LS variants the dash centre stack, side air-vents and surround panels have been changed to satin black with chrome trim rings, from the previous silver finish. The speedometer, odometer and tachometer all get improved graphics.
More than 5000 D-MAX light trucks have been sold since the company started with almost 80 per cent of sales being the 4 X 4 option. The company expects the addition of automatic the the crew cab variants will increase sales. “We're seeing the D-MAX's market share generally trending upwards against fierce competition, thanks to the great brand strength of Isuzu, with its 70 year history of building trucks – big and small – as well as diesel engines,” said Isuzu UTE Australia managing director, Hitoshi Kono.
D-Max is powered by a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel, also used in the company's two tonne trucks. This engine puts out 120 kW of power and a hefty 360 Nm of torque in the manual and 333 Nm in the auto. In a recent economy test a D-MAX SX 4 X 2 manual crew car ute covered 1716.3 kilometres on a single tank of fuel, an average consumption of 4.428 litres/100 km. There are now 62 Isuzu ute dealers across Australia and a dozen satellite service centres in separate towns. Isuzu utes are covered by a three year, 100,000 km warranty.
MODELS AND PRICING
4 X 2
SX single cab/chassis manual $25,100*
SX crew cab ute manual $30,700
SX crew cab ute auto $33,700
LS crew cab ute manual $36,300
LS crew cab ute auto $38,600
4 X 4
EX single cab/chassis manual $30,400
SX single cab/chassis manual $34,000
SX space cab/chassis manual $36,500
SX crew cab/chassis manual $38,700
SX crew ute manual $38,600
SX crew ute auto $40,600
LS-M crew ute manual $40,800
LS-M crew ute auto $42,800
LS-U crew ute manual $42,500
LS-U crew ute auto $44,500
(*These are Manufacturers List Prices and do not include on road costs)
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