Port Elizabeth - Isuzu South Africa wants you to get acquainted with a new name: D-Max.
The KB badge is no more, and the locally-produced bakkie range will now be referred to as D-Max, in line with the rest world and the name change also coincided with a range expansion at the bottom end while upper models benefit from styling and spec enhancements and mechanical changes.
So what does D-Max actually mean?
It’s a bit on the complicated side. The name was first used on the 2000 model year Isuzu bakkie in Thailand, the D referring to that model’s so-called “Dragon Eye” headlights, although nowadays Isuzu feels that it might as well also stand for ‘diesel’, ‘direct injection’, ‘design’ and ‘durability’. Max apparently refers to Isuzu’s “maximum” approach to everything it does. We told you it was complicated.
Fancier finishes for LX flagship
3-litre LX derivatives get a nip and tuck inside and out, the range-toppers receiving a new chrome grille that appears to run into the headlights thanks to chrome elements that sit above the new projector-type LED headlights (not fitted to single cabs).
The LX models also get a more premium finish inside, highlights including new soft touch panels for the instrument cluster binnacle, along with a more “high-quality” grain for the dashboard and door trims and piano black garnishes.
A new 20.3cm full colour touchscreen with reverse camera replaces the 16.5cm unit fitted to the previous model, and Isuzu buyers can now also opt for the premium Alpine 23cm infotainment system offered on the Mu-X SUV, which also comes with satnav as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
New gearbox for 3.0 models
The 3-litre range-toppers also get new gearboxes in the form of a six-speed manual that replaced the previous five-speed and a six-speed automatic option that recent debuted in the Mu-X. As before, the 3-litre turbodiesel engine produces 130kW and 380Nm.
LX derivatives have been given a safety boost too, with enhanced braking and the addition of Trailer Sway Control.
Range expanded to 30 derivatives
The Isuzu bakkie range is now officially vast enough to make your head spin, with the line-up expanding from 21 to 30 derivatives in total.
Many of the additions are at the ‘workhorse’ end of the range. Customers are now able to order their Base single cab with a flat load deck or in Dropside configuration. These versions can be ordered with either the 2.5-litre base engine with 58kW and 176Nm or, in the case of ‘Safety’ models, the high-output variant that pushes 100kW and 230Nm.
Do note that unless you go for the higher-spec ‘Safety’, the D-Max misses out on essential safety features such as ABS brakes, airbags and stability control. How it is even legal to put a heavy, rear-wheel-driven bakkie onto the road without ABS is a cause for huge concern, both for those in the vehicle and other road users who may be in its path.
Also joining the range is a new 2.5-litre (high output) Base double cab, that slots beneath the existing ‘Hi-Rider’ and brings the base price of the four-door range down to R332 500, but like the base single cabs this one is also missing essential safety features such as airbags and ABS. Unlike its signe cab equivalents, however, it does pack comfort features like aircon and an audio system.
All D-Max models are sold with a five-year/120 000km warranty and five-year/90 000km service plan.
SINGLE CAB
250C CHASSIS CAB BASER 246 200250C SINGLE CAB BASER 256 100250CDROPSIDE BASER 284 800250C SINGLE CAB FLEETSIDER 280 000250C CHASSIS CAB FLEETSIDER 270 200250C DROPSIDE FLEETSIDER 308 700250 HO SINGLE CAB FLEETSIDER 299 900250 HO CHASSIS CAB FLEETSIDER 290 000250 HO DROPSIDE FLEETSIDER 328 600250 HO SINGLE CAB FLEETSIDE (Safety)R 310 500250 HO CHASSIS CAB FLEETSIDE (Safety)R 300 600250 HO DROPSIDE (Safety) w/ESCR 339 200250 HO SINGLE CAB LER 353 500250 HO 4X4 SINGLE CAB HI-RIDERR 399 600300 SINGLE CAB LX - 6-SPEED MANUALR 413 800300 4X4 SINGLE CAB LX - 6-SPEED MANUALR 477 900EXTENDED CAB
250 HO HI-RIDERR 358 000300 LX - 6-SPEED MANUALR 450 700300 LX - 6-SPEED AUTOMATICR 465 200300 4X4 LX - 6-SPEED MANUALR 513 700DOUBLE CAB
250 HO BASER 332 500250 HO HI-RIDERR 387 800250 HO X-RIDERR 424 400250 HO LER 437 200250 HO 4X4 HI-RIDERR 435 500250 HO 4X4 X-RIDERR 472 500300 LX 6-SPEED MANUALR 522 100300 LX 6-SPEED AUTOMATICR 537 100300 4X4 LX - 6-SPEED MANUALR 591 800300 4X4 LX - 6-SPEED AUTOMATICR 606 400