Isuzu Malaysia has finally launched the D-Max in Malaysia, nearly two weeks after releasing the full details of the third-generation pick-up truck. There will be seven variants on offer, priced between RM 89k to RM 142k. All of them are fully imported from Thailand, but there are plans for local assembly down the line.
The range starts with the 1.9L 4×4 Single
Cab model at RM 88,599, above which is the 3.0L 4×4 Single Cab that’s priced at
RM 95,538. Twin cab models start from the 1.9L 4×4 MT Standard (RM 99,599), and
further up are the 1.9L 4×4 AT Standard (RM 106,999), 1.9L 4×4 AT Premium
(RM 121,549) and 3.0L 4×4 AT Premium (RM 128,038). All six variants listed here
get a five-year or 150,000 km warranty coverage as standard.
Sitting at the top of the range is the
3.0L 4×4 AT X-Terrain. At RM 141,938, it’s exclusively available with the larger
3.0 litre mill, and takes on the new Nissan Navara Pro-4X, Toyota Hilux 2.8
Rogue AT, Mitsubishi Triton Athlete, and the one that started this feud – the
Ford Ranger Wildtrak. It’s the only D-Max variant to get a seven-year unlimited
mileage warranty coverage, and it can only be had in Valencia Orange or
Sapphire Blue. In terms of powertrain, the existing RZ4E-TC 1.9 litre
common-rail four-cylinder diesel engine (with variable geometry turbo) has been
refined further and offers better throttle response. Outputs are unchanged, at
150 PS and 350 Nm of torque.
The 3.0 litre engine received even bigger
upgrades, courtesy of a new engine head and turbocharger, just to name a few.
The 4JJ3 mill produces 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque, representing a 13 PS and 70
Nm increase over the older 4JJ1 3.0L unit. On paper, the 3.0L mill’s output may
appear to be lagging behind the competition, but Isuzu typically “downtunes”
the engine in favour of reliability. After all, durability is key to its
customer base, plus both the 1.9L and 3.0L engines can take up to B20
biodiesel. Also new are the six-speed manual and six-speed automatic
transmissions (both tweaked to provide smoother gearshifts), as well as a
shift-by-wire 4×4 selector dial.
Just to recap, the new D-Max rides on
Isuzu’s new Dynamic Drive Platform (still a body-on-frame construction),
offering better structural rigidity, crash protection, driving stability and
the reduction of NVH levels. The intake system has been raised, thus increasing
wading depth from 600 mm to 800 mm. Other areas of improvement include a 30 mm
increase in wheelbase, revised rear door apertures that open wider for better
ingress and egress, a 20 mm increase in rear shoulder space, and a seatback
angle of 24 degrees. The brakes are larger (320 mm x 30 mm rotors), and the
suspension geometry has been tweaked as well. It also features a more
wedge-shaped profile for improved aerodynamics, a larger underbody cover that
reduces turbulence, cleaner body lines for smoother air flow, and taller cargo
side walls with a slightly redesigned cargo bay.
Those who plan to take it off road will be
glad to know that the front underbody section is protected with a 1.5 mm-thick
steel skid plate, plus an additional 6 mm steel sump guard for the engine and
gearbox. There’s also a 5 mm resin wind deflector on top of that, and the
ground clearance is 240 mm (models equipped with 18-inch wheels only).
