2009 Isuzu D-MAX

Isuzu Ute Australia is a Japanese company wholly owned by Mitsubishi Corporation (note - different to Mitsubishi Motors) and for many years Isuzu had been selling a ute, which till very recently was called Holden Rodeo. The D-MAX is one of the world’s most popular utes and like nearly all other utes on the Australian market today, it’s assembled in Thailand, the world’s second biggest ute market.

Australia will receive 11 different D-MAX models, all powered by a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 120 kW and 360 Nm (333 Nm for auto). Pricing starts from a very competitive $23,300 and goes all the way to $42,500 for the fully kitted automatic 4×4 LS-U crewcab ute. Instead of focusing on petrol and diesel, Isuzu will instead take a “boutique” approach and concentrate completely on diesel to build a brand image focused on reliable diesel Utes.

Despite being closely related to the Holden Colorado mechanically, the D-MAX is different enough to raise a few eye brows. Public relations spokesman Richard Power said unlike the competition which set a high recommended retail price then discounts heavily (hurting resale) Isuzu will enter at market rate.

Isuzu plans to sell 4,000 D-MAX utes in Australia in 2009, with that number climbing to 6,000 and 8,000 for the following two years. The ES is the no frills farmers ute, a single cab/chassis manual (only) which misses out on ABS and airbags, but instead comes with 4×4 drivetrain, seating for three, hi-ride suspension, air-con and 16”x 7” drilled silver steel wheel/245/70 tyre package as standard. The ES retails for $27,800.

The low cost entry model into the D-MAX range comes in SX flavour. Four SX variants exist and Isuzu believes it will be the volume seller. All SX variants come standard with ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, power windows with driver’s window one-touch auto-down and remote entry via a single integrated key/pad.

The SX rear-wheel drive variants (4×2) are available as single cab/chassis and crew cab ute. Moving up to the 4×4, choice exists between single cab/chassis and crew cab/chassis. Like the ES, the SX range is available only with a five-speed manual transmission.

The Tokyo based company hopes to build on that reputation but also has other ways of tempting Australian customers. The diesel powerplant offers the best combined fuel economy rating at 7.9 litres/100km, making the D-MAX 4×2 the most fuel frugal of all the 3+ litre entrants in the one-tonne ute class. The 4×4 variants manage at 8.1 litres/100km, the best result for a 4×4 one-tonner in Australia. Reliability should not be an issue but for peace of mind, all D-MAX models come with a three year/100,000km warranty and backed by 24/7 roadside assistance during this period.

© Source: seriouswheels
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