New Isuzu a sure winner, when in the rough – or not
RUGGED elegance is the best way to sum up the new Isuzu Double Cab 4x4 KB300, which seems capable of clamouring out of the deepest ditch while you remained air-con cooled in the lap of luxury.
Recently Isuzu South Africa hosted its Isuzu Owners’ Experience event at Bushbuck Ridge where guests could also get behind the wheel of one of four Isuzus to tackle a custom-made off-road course which included trenches, climbs and soft sand obstacles.
While a relatively mild course in terms of difficulty, it did a convincing job of illustrating the bakkies’ low and high range four-wheel drive capabilities, diff-lock control and ride comfort.
Before descending on the 20minute track, the silence which follows the pushing of the engine stop-start button immediately grabs your attention as the sporty dash display lights up, giving you the feeling of being in a coupe rather than a bakkie.
With the guidance of 4x4 instructor Morne van der Berg, we were on our way. The vehicle seamlessly transforming from a spacious family ride capable of making any road trip a memorable one to an all-terrainer backed by more than a century [Isuzu was established in 1916] of design and automotive engineering experience.
The informative Van der Berg did not hesitate to quickly bring me up to speed with the simpler mechanics of the vehicle as we approach the first obstacle, a ditch dug for diff-lock.
At this point Van der Berg turns to me and asks, “would you like to get to stuck?” to which my response could only be “not usually, but this seems like fun”.
Despite being capable of easily switching to low range and trudging through the ditch, we remained in high range with the right wheel comfortably stuck and just put pedal to metal, digging the ditch a little deeper for the next driver.
And as simple as it was to get into trouble, with the flick of wrist to engage the low range and diff-lock settings and then releasing the clutch, the Isuzu climbed out of our predicament without me having to so much as tap the accelerator.
Then it was off to the hill climb which too was taken in its stride, keeping the Isuzu in low range the vehicle effortlessly trekked the embankment without so much as dirtying the paint.
Before turning the corner to attack the soft sand obstacle, we had the time to enjoy the wildlife that also seemingly enjoyed the sight of the four-bakkie convoy temporarily calling their bush home.
While surprisingly tougher than some of the ditches and climbs, the soft sand proved to be no match for the Isuzu which glided across the silky surface with ease.
The final incline challenge was taken at a purposely slowed pace to prolong my new-found love for the 4x4 Isuzu whose stylish design, luxury leather seating, monster of a diesel engine and custom three-hinge towbar all contribute to completing the experience.