Challenging the terrain: Isuzu Philippines introduces the All-New Isuzu D-MAX

One of the country’s best pickups has just become better as Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) today introduced the much-awaited All-New Isuzu D-MAX, which arrives in the country poised to “Challenge the Terrain.”

Leading the unveiling of the new truck were IPC President Nobuo Izumina and Isuzu Motors Ltd. Engineering Division Executive/Director of the Board and Senior Executive Officer Katsumasa Nagai.

“Isuzu Philippines is optimistic over the prospects of the All-New D-MAX pickup,” Izumina said. “Its arrival not only means that the Filipino market will get a product that adheres to global standards of excellence, but also that the vehicle will contribute to the growth of the Philippine automotive manufacturing sector.”  

Like the bestselling model it replaces, the new D-MAX will be built at IPC’s world-class manufacturing plant at the Laguna Technopark in Biñan, with assembly to start in the next few months. This ensures continued job security for the Filipino workforce, a move that is in line with IPC’s commitment to strengthen the Philippine automotive industry and the domestic economy. At present, 90 percent of Isuzu models, including the Crosswind AUV and truck and bus models, are assembled locally.

“The All-New D-MAX was completed from an all-out effort of Isuzu Motors in Thailand and Japan,” Nagai said. “The vehicle is an output of strong aspiration from everyone involved—not only in engineering but also in manufacturing—to produce the very best D-MAX.”

The new D-MAX comes in seven exciting variants. Topping the range is the double cab LS 4x4 A/T, followed by the LS 4x4 M/T, LS 4x2 A/T, LS 4x2 M/T, LT 4x4 M/T, LT 4x2 M/T and single cab 4x2 M/T.

Challenging the Terrain

Longer, wider and taller, the new D-MAX is also sleeker and tougher than ever before. The new pickup is built around three design philosophies; perfect proportion, aggressive form and innovative structure. Externally, it is designed with a fluid appearance to ensure visual harmony without losing the D-MAX’s trademark sporty, powerful style.

Other than sporting an appealing design, the new D-MAX is aerodynamic too as it was tested in various wind tunnels that include the facility of the Japan Railway  Research Institute—the same one used in testing the country’s famous bullet trains. As a result, the new D-MAX has one of the lowest coefficients of drag among pickups, which contributes to its exceptional fuel efficiency.

Its body structure, constructed from high-tensile strength steel, is more rigid than the previous model’s. Combined with a new superior suspension system composed of independent double wishbone with coil springs in front and semi-elliptical over-slung leaf springs in the rear (for LS variants), the new D-MAX is capable of carrying a heavy payload while improving its driving performance and vehicle stability.

Under the hood of the new D-MAX LS and LT 4x4 variants is Isuzu’s tried and tested 4JJ1-TC  3.0-liter Common Rail Direct Injection with Turbocharger and Intercooler Diesel engine that makes 146ps at 3,800rpm and 294Nm at 1,400rpm to 3,400rpm. The base variant LT 4x2 and single cab are strengthened by Isuzu’s new 4JK1-TC 2.5-liter Common Rail Direct Injection with Turbocharger and Intercooler Diesel engine that produces 109ps at 3,400rpm and 280Nm from 1,800 to 2,200rpm. Besides providing optimum power, both engines are also fuel efficient.

Mated to the power plant is a new 5-speed automatic transmission (available for the LS 4x2 and 4x4 variants) with a manumatic sequential shift function.

The new D-MAX boasts of one of the highest ground clearances among pickups with a 235mm height for the LS 4x4 and 225mm for the LT 4x4 and LS 4x2. Supplementing its suspension are new bigger wheels: the LS 4x4 is equipped with 225/65 R17 tires while the LS 4x2 and LT have 245/70 R16 tires.       

Boosting the off-road capability of the pickup is Isuzu’s new 4WD Terrain Command Select Dial that allows the driver to switch from 2WD to 4WD-High even while traveling at speeds of up to 100kph.

Advanced safety features

The D-MAX LS comes equipped with a host of safety features for the driver and passengers. The pickup’s cabin protects its occupants by means of a safety shell made from high-tensile strength steel, further bolstered by side-impact beams, dual front airbags, and Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts with pre-tensioner and load limiter. ABS is supplemented by Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and the new Brake Assist (BA).

Modern comfort and convenience amenities

The pickup’s leather seats in mahogany shade are finished in elegant mahogany shade, and the driver’s seat is power-adjustable by six different ways while the rear seat has three adjustable headrests and a center armrest. Adding convenience are 15 storage compartments and 10 cupholders.

Placed in the new D-MAX’s elegant dashboard are Electroluminescent Meters with a new Multi-Info Display. A new premium audio system, composed of a 2-DIN CD/MP3/Micro USB/Aux Input jack/Tuner with Bluetooth connectivity and a six-way speaker system that includes a first-in-class ceiling-mounted exciter speakers, complement the new meters.

“When IPC built its manufacturing facility in the 1990s, the very first unit that rolled off from our production line was the Isuzu TF190 pickup. In 1997, we introduced the Isuzu Fuego pickup, creating a fire in the industry that revolutionized the concept of the pickup as a utility vehicle and a lifestyle vehicle combined. It was no surprise that Isuzu grabbed the No. 1 position in the pickup category for four years,” Izumina said.

The IPC President continued that in 2003, Isuzu again shook the industry when it unveiled the first D-MAX, which answered the power-hungry market that wanted utility, beauty and power.

“We again obtained the top spot in pickup sales for three consecutive years,” Izumina said. “At present, we have more than 20,000 D-MAX owners in the Philippines.”

The new D-MAX is available in Cosmic Black, Garnet Red, Ash Beige, Titanium Silver and Splash White. Prices start at P697,000 for the single cab 4x2 variant; rise to P857,000 for the LT 4x2 M/T; P1,144,000 for the LS 4x2 M/T; P1,153,000 for the LT 4x4 M/T; P1,196,000 for the LS 4x2 A/T; P1,398,000 for the LS 4x4 M/T; and P1,457,000 for the LS 4x4 A/T.   

IPC will start selling the new D-MAX today at all authorized Isuzu dealerships across the country. In addition to the display at the World Trade Center, IPC has scheduled mall tours for the All-New Isuzu D-MAX on September 19 at Glorietta in Makati; September 20 at Market Market in Taguig; September 21 at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa; and, September 22 at Trinoma in Quezon City.