IMOTO: ISUZU D-MAX
FOUR years after Isuzu Motors South Africa started selling the seventh model of the D-Max, they have introduced an improved version with new additions.
ID-Max, which was built in their factory in Gqeberha, will start selling in 2022. It had been two years before it was seen in other countries, but Isuzu in this country said they took their time to check whether it is suitable for African roads, and make changes if necessary.
ID-Max is manufactured in the Eastern Cape and then distributed to different countries in Africa and the continent. They currently have 28 garages outside the country.
“Our business is going well. We are growing in South Africa and we are also growing on the continent,” said Tom.
The countries where they are doing well are Zimbabwe and Zambia
It has become history that last year they sold 26,122 cars and 5,371 were sold abroad and they are looking to increase.
Their strategy of taking their time before launching the upgraded D-Max is the same they used when it first arrived. In other countries it started to appear in 2024 as it is starting to sell now.
Isuzu said they tested it for more than 400,000 kilometers so that it can withstand the conditions here.
The upgraded ID-Max has also added six new models making it 33 in total.
23 of them go with a 1.9-liter engine and 10 go with a 3.0-liter, both of which are diesels.
The 1.9 liter turbodiesel has been improved by adding a bigger turbo. This helps to get the energy in quickly and makes a big difference, especially when you take off.
The power is 110kW and the torque is 350Nm.
In some D-Max models, this engine is equipped with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The 3.0-liter turbo diesel also has the same power. They are 140kW and 450Nm of torque.
The difference is that it is now available in the X-Rider as previously it only came with 1.9l.
It is available in different models namely 4×2 and 4×4.
4x4s now come with Rough Terrain Mode which already made it easier to go along rough terrain while we were traveling in Botswana this week.
We were walking in the forests and reserves of Chobe National Park and the land that separates Botswana from Zimbabwe.
The previous 4H and 4L, diff lock and hill descent control are still there to cope with different types of roads.
I wish they had put in full body cameras so I don’t have to keep trying to lift my head to look outside.
Although the cameras are not included in the whole body like its cousin the Mu-X, but they have changed the touchscreen infotainment system.
It depends on your type but it is between 8 inches and 9 inches.
You connect your mobile phone with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, it shows the rear when you reverse and so on. In 4×4, we will show you which wheels it puts the power in, which direction it leans and so on.
When I looked at the V-Cross I noticed that they have installed two USB charging ports and there is also one for wireless charging.
Another thing that has changed is the digital instrument cluster with pedal shifters behind the ceiling on the LSE, V-Cross and AT 35.
The LSE and V-Cross have heated seats up front. The IV-Cross is also equipped with adaptive cruise control, which can read road signs and brake if you are reversing into a collision.
They also changed the way the seats look and touched the dashboard a bit.
Externally, the D-Max has been changed in the bumper and the way the lights look. There are new rims between 17 and 18 inches.
In the back, they changed the lights, the trunk lid and the inscription of the name and what kind of car you are driving.
I’m still talking about the models, the new single cabs are the introduction to the D-Max family. It’s a choice to choose as they come to the end with the AT35 based on the V-Cross.
The changes they have made are enough to make it look and feel new.
This van has arrived at a time when the competition is fierce as Ford has recently improved and added other Ranger models and in the coming days Toyota will introduce the new Hilux.
Price:
Single cabs start at R463,80.00 for the 1.9 Ddi HR STANDARD
Extended cabs start at R533,690.00 nge-1.9 Ddi HR L
Double cabs start from R574,010.00 for the 1.9 Ddi HR L
All come with a service plan of five years or 90,000km, warranty and roadside assistance for five years or 120,000km and anti-corrosion warranty of five years.