Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Motoring
The company’s D-MAX (formerly KB) bakkie range offers a host of advanced options. By Jake Venter.
Isuzu’s upgraded KB range was released at the end of October and renamed D-MAX. This is what these bakkies have been called in Thailand, their country of manufacture, for more than 10 years. The ‘D’ stands for the ‘dragon eye’ headlamps, while the MAX refers to what Isuzu calls its maximum approach to design.
Some readers may be surprised that the latest model does not come from Japan, but the Thai motor industry is amongst the fastest growing in the
Far East. Last year, Thailand produced nearly four times more vehicles than South Africa. It has been building Isuzus since 1963 and the company moved its small commercial vehicle production from Japan to Thailand some years ago.
The upgrade brings with it the following changes to the 3,0-litre LX models:
• New six-speed manual and automatic transmissions replace the previous five-speed boxes. Experience has shown that very few drivers are always in the correct gear when there are so many ratios to choose from. My choice would be to opt for an automatic transmission; it’s always in the correct gear and is in fact an engine-saver.
• A new chrome radiator grill dominates the front, flanked by sleek, L-shaped headlight clusters containing projectortype Bi-LED lamps and LED daytime running lights on the extended and double-cab models. • The latest-generation information and entertainment system incorporates a 20cm, full-colour touchscreen instead of the previous 16,5cm screen. This system incorporates the display for the rear-view camera and facilitates Bluetooth cell phone and audio streaming.
• An Alpine infotainment system is an option.
• The USB ports now have a higher 2,1A rating to charge cell phones and multimedia devices. They will also accommodate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto once these features become available in South Africa.
• The dashboard of the LX has been upgraded using soft-touch panels and a high-quality grain finish to improve its look and feel. • The 4WD models are fitted with hill descent control, which selects the lowest gear and brakes gently to maintain a safe speed when tackling a slippery incline. • The ABS brakes are now equipped with Isuzu’s Brake Override System. This restricts accelerator input if the brake pedal is applied simultaneously to reduce stopping distances in an emergency.
• Electronic stability control and hill start assist were already standard; trailer sway control is now included.
• The optional towbar package that is rated to tow a 2,1t trailer can be upgraded to a 3,5t fitting on the 3,0-litre 4x4 LX model.
MODEL RANGE
Thirty models are destined for the South African market and 13 for export markets. The 16 single-cab derivatives include a new dropside base model that can be specified with a factory-fitted flat load deck or a dropside configuration. The single-cab prices range from R246 200 for the 250C Chassis Cab Base to R477 900 for the 300 4x4 Single Cab LX 6-speed Manual.
There are one 250 and three 300 extended-cab models ranging from R358 000 to R513 700. The 300 models have six-speed gearboxes and are available as a 2WD manual, a 2WD auto and a 4WD manual. Ten double cabs are on offer in prices ranging from R332 500 to R606 400 and in various combinations of engine size, gearbox ratio, number of driving wheels, and trim level.
The four-cylinder diesel engines appear to be unchanged from the previous models. The outputs are 130kW and 380N.m for the 300 engine, and either 58kW and 176N.m for the 250, or 100kW and 320N.m for the 250 safety model.
• Jake Venter is a journalist and a retired engineer and mathematician. Email him at jacobventer77@gmail.com. Subject line: Motoring.