WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE Smooth operator
FOR the past year, Isuzu has been talking about fitting an automatic transmission to the ever popular 250 D-Max range.
Last week the wait was finally over, with the introduction of a five-speed auto box, to add to their existing fivespeed manual offering, which includes the whole range – from the extended cab HI-Ride through to the X-Rider.
As people’s preferences changes more towards automatic transmissions, especially considering prevailing traffic conditions, not helped by regular blackouts, it was only a matter of time before this became part of their offering.
Under the bonnet nothing changes, with the same reliable 2.5 turbo diesel unit producing 100kW and 320Nm doing duty. For now, the auto box is limited to the 4x2 range while the 4x4 is available with the standard manual offering.
The transmission was tested extensively in South African conditions, that included extreme towing and load capacity, at Gerotek and in the Magaliesberg region, before getting the go-ahead for production.
Like its manual sibling, the D-Max is a no nonsense offering that continues the tradition of honest, reliable no nonsense driving – while equally at home on the dirt or tar.
Top of the range is the X-Rider, with its unique exterior that includes a black finish for the front bumper and grille, with a large Isuzu badge. It also gets a touch of black on the B-pillars, side steps and roll bar, rounded off with silver and black 18-inch alloys.
The cabin gets similar treatment, with black leather seats and red stitching, the same goes for the gear lever and steering wheel, with the addition of X-Ride logos on the door trim, air vents and radio surrounds.
The mid-range LE version is likely to be the one buyers will opt for and, although not as eye-catching as the X-Rider, provides a decent value package – with front fog lamps with chrome bezels, anthracite coloured grill, colour-coded mirrors and door handles, and stands on 16-inch alloy rims.
Inside it gets cruise control and a 20cm touchscreen multimedia audio system.
There’s enough place to store odds and ends, such as phones, keys, wallets and the usual paraphernalia that always seems to add up when you’re in the car.
We had the opportunity to drive both at the launch and there really wasn’t that much difference between the two either on tar or dirt roads.
We drove a few hundred kilometres over two days and it’s clear that the guys at Isuzu have done their homework to ensure that the coupling of the auto box and the engine works seamlessly.
There is the option of using the sequential shift but we used it only for testing purposes.
Over the Franschhoek Pass we’re usually in a go-fast low-slung car, so it was a first to be able to do it in a double cab.
As you would expect, the driving style had to be adapted and passing opportunities that appeared, where say a Porsche 911 would effortlessly pass, would be given a miss.
So, if you’re hoping to get in to a speed machine you’re in the wrong showroom because, as they say, getting there is half the fun.
The unloaded ride quality is what you would expect from a bakkie with a ladder frame; a bit on the hard side of the scale but not uncomfortably so. With a bit of weight on the back it should be much better.
On gravel roads the suspension easily coped with some serious road imperfections, testimony to a well-balanced set up for both dirt and the black stuff.
At speed, the front gets a bit happy and because it’s only rear wheel drive, there isn’t a 4H option to stabilise things, so you have to adapt your driving style accordingly.
The 2.5 D-Max is loaded with safety features such, as ABS, EBD, BAS, ESC with traction control hill start assist and hill descent control.
Driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, side impact protection bars and a collapsible steering column takes care of things if they become pear shaped.
Basically, the Isuzu D-Max 250 automatic does exactly what it says on the box. The new Isuzu D-Max will launch in the second half of 2021.