‘Let it roar proudly because it represents the very essence of heritage. It represents the spirit that must roar straight into the heart of every single driver who tames the key of the Isuzu ‘D-MAX’ and feels themselves being forwarded into a future, a future that will be welcomed with both arms by future driver’s generations to come. Drivers, some of them who are not yet born we celebrate today – Isuzu D-MAX!’ Gcina Mhlope Africa’s story teller exclaimed at the D-MAX launch in Mpumalanga.
JOHANNESBURG – Isuzu Motors South Africa just refreshed its bakkie range, giving it a new name in tandem with higher levels of specification, quality and efficiency to make its popular light commercial vehicle (LCV) more appealing than ever.
Over the past 40 years of local production spanning six generations, the Isuzu bakkie has been a key player in creating and fostering South Africa’s love affair with the versatile bakkie – both as a workhorse and, increasingly, as an all-encompassing everyday leisure and lifestyle vehicle.
Mpumalanga is a Zulu name for “the place where the sun rises.” It is a province in eastern part of Africa’s largest and most industrialized economy, South Africa, bordering the kingdom of Eswatini and the former Portuguese colony, Mozambique. It embraces one of Africa’s 7th largest famous national parks measuring 19,485 square kilometers dubbed ‘the Kruger’ endowed with, a huge nature reserve with abundant wildlife including big game. The park is roughly 360 kilometres long with an average width of 65 kilometers. The province’s iconic Blyde River Canyon, among the world’s largest, is known as a green canyon because of its subtropical foliage.
The Kruger National Park
Guests were treated to brand new Isuzu double cabs to test drive the D-MAX – 373 kilometers from Umbali Events Centre to Casa Do Sol hotel. This drive was an adrenaline experience through the pine studded and mountainous bushes of Mpumalanga province. The 30 Oct. was a rugged experience of a 24 kilometer drive to the Kruger National Park through the Numbi gate entrance. The Isuzu was able to resiliently gallivant through the rocky, wet and industry terrain of Africa’s 7th largest National Park with ease.
Gcina Mhlope’s tells the Isuzu story
“Isuzu Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha was named after a river that flows past a Japanese shrine. Isuzu means ‘fifty bells pealing in harmony and celebrations.’ Isuzu’s inception dates as far back as 1916 and by 1922 the first car was built,” Gcina narrated
The Isuzu is not a force that has been reckoned with, but a force that has been reckoned with ‘again and again’, she said on stage. It has conquered different terrains the world over. It is respected all the time, you see this Isuzu, this name has been there, when they developed the first diesel engine in the 1930’s, so now we say let the lion of the east roar, Gcina exclaimed.
D-MAX history
The D-MAX name traces its origin in Thailand, with the ‘D’ originally referring to the 2000 model year Isuzu bakkie which boasted the flush “Dragon Eyes” headlamp design. It also represents Isuzu’s proud legacy in the production of diesel engines, the use of industry-defining direct injection, as well as ground-breaking design and durability. ‘Max’ signifies Isuzu’s maximum approach to design, size, comfort, technology, performance, safety, durability and line-up.
“We are proud to announce the introduction of the enhanced Isuzu bakkie along with the adoption of the D-MAX name for the Isuzu bakkie portfolio, this aligns us to the brand identity of the broader company and ensures that our product naming conventions are consistent with the global approach.” says Craig Uren, Executive Officer Sales, Service and Marketing.
The line-up has been revised and enhanced to make the D-MAX more appealing and competitive than ever, and the high-spec models raise the bar for Isuzu in terms of luxury and quality.
Top of the range LX
“We are also delighted to introduce the all-new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions on the 3.0-Litre LX models that improve overall performance, efficiency and refinement when compared to the previous five-speed units, while building on Isuzu’s proven reputation for reliability and durability,” says Dominic Rimmer, Executive Technical Services.
“We have been manufacturing bakkies for over 40 years and this is not only an Isuzu bakkie but a South African engineered bakkie. We have made enhancements to the product offering to meet our client’s needs. We have run these vehicles in these type of conditions such as on gravel roads and dusty conditions hence the skin panel design on this model. The pickup box is the strongest ever in history. We have also changed the thickness of the panels on the inside of the pickup box to make sure when farmers or business people load heavy stuff, they can’t damage the box. We have further added the dust ceiling on the vehicle and there is nothing as worse as you getting to where you are going coating thick dust on your bags. We have also fine-tuned the suspension, to gravel roads at high speed,” The Executive Technical Services narrated.
The pickup segment is massive and accounts for 20% of the industry with over 100,000 bakkies sold in SA. For this enhanced model design, we have prepared 30 models for SA customers and there are 13 models other models for specific export markets catering for right and left hand drivers. Fuel quality may not be good in some country’s as such, we have a different power trains for them. Sometimes you cannot have all emission controls because the diesel will poison the tank if you actually need low sulphur diesel, he said.
Visually, the biggest styling changes for the refreshed Isuzu D-MAX make their debut on the range-topping 3.0-Litre LX models, available in single, extended and double cab body styles. Central to the new look is a muscular new chromed radiator grille that dominates the front facial, along with new tapered chromed accents extending across the full length of the sleeker L-shaped headlight clusters.
All new six speed transmissions
One of the most significant new features of the 2018 Isuzu D-MAX range is the introduction of an all-new six-speed gearbox on the high-spec 3.0-Litre LX derivatives, replacing the five-speed versions used on the outgoing models.
The six-speed manual benefits from optimized gear ratios and an improved shift action, and makes the most of the strong torque delivery and superb fuel economy of Isuzu’s dependable 3.0-Litre four-cylinder inter-cooled turbo-diesel engine, which produces 130 kW of power and 380 Nm of torque.
Enhanced driving safety
On the safety front, the ABS brakes on all D-MAX LX models are now equipped with Isuzu’s Brake Override System (BOS) for the first time. The system restricts accelerator input if the brake pedal is applied simultaneously, thereby reducing stopping distances in an emergency.
The standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control has also been bolstered with the addition of Trailer Sway Control (TSC) that detects and minimizes the effect of a trailer or caravan beginning to sway from side-to-side. The Hi-Rider and LE models can be equipped with an optional tow bar package rated to tow a braked trailer up to a maximum load of 2.1 tons, while the standard heavy-duty unit on the 3.0-Litre 4X4 LX derivatives comes standard and is capable of hauling 3.5 tons.
As before, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) are included to assist the driver in all types of driving situations. These active safety features are available as a standard feature from the Fleet-side Safety to the LX trim.
Fully accessorized and crash tested
Isuzu have realized that there is a massive market not only in SA, but in Sub – Saharan Africa (SSA). People want to take the ‘KB’ now the ‘D-MAX’ and overland with it which is where we step into the fall. What we have done here is accessorized this vehicle with a bull bar, spot lights. full suspension, dash plug, small cool canyon 85 kg kitchen unit to cater for those that love game adventure and camping.
This vehicle is ready to go anywhere right now, even from Cape to Cairo. So the whole idea behind the partnership is that the person buying the car, can now have it accessorized at dealership level. They do not have to go and take the vehicle to another person. All they need is ask many right questions to fit their needs and the dealership will ensure the spec is right.
“We accessorized one of these vehicles that went to Japan and actually crash tested it to ensure that the bull bar works with the airbags, then we hit another one in Melbourne Australia were they tested strangling to make sure the electronics control system works robustly. There’s one kitted in Port Elizabeth which has been there for two years (2yrs) and does 500km every day,” Marketing Manager for 4X4 MegaWorld Kurt Brunner said.
That vehicle is there to make sure that the shocks are lasting and resilient. So the testing that is coming off these accessories have been par excellence, he said.
Clients prefer enhanced looks plus bigger engine
The most important thing when buying a vehicle is its design. The car must look good and we have seen it in the outcome of our X-Rider. It really dominates the fronting of the vehicle. The LX has this chrome that runs it into the angel like type of headlamps. The chrome gives the ISUZU lights eyelashes providing a very strong chrome enhancing headlamp. Within the headlight is the Bi-LED projector lamp that has introduced day time running lights (DRL) which is really what makes visibility of the vehicle in the dark and makes it really stand out. Also introduced is the chrome upright to enhance the fog lamps on the side of the car. Isuzu researched these enhancements by speaking to both its customers and competitors such as Toyota, Nissan and VW.
One of the key revelations was the need for leisure and engine size. These mattered more than anything.
“To this effect we have introduced this badge ‘3.0 TD’ so that when customers are driving, everyone around them knows they are driving the top of the range – most powerful engine. We are listening to our customers,” Dominic Rimmer, Executive Technical Services.
Single cab market segment of pickup D
36% of the Single Cab Sub-segment of the Pick-up D Segment which translates into roughly 700 units per month and it is a big portion of the car sales business. So the market is split up 36% single cab, 10% extended cab, just around 15% is double cab.
“The new single cab comes with a flap up from the wheel with some fancy deflectors. Also locally engineered is our load box with thicker steel and lasts more than our competitors out there. It is durable, strong and can handle a lot up to 1.2 tons’ capacity and 2 tons towing.
Isuzu Complete Care
Isuzu Complete Care comes standard with every new Isuzu D-MAX and embodies Isuzu’s unwavering commitment to after-sales service and customer satisfaction. All Isuzu D-MAX models are sold as standard with a comprehensive five-year/120 000 km warranty and roadside assistance, as well as a five-year unlimited distance anti-corrosion warranty.
In addition, a five-year/90 000 km service plan is included in the purchase price, with service intervals scheduled every 15 000 km or annually, whichever comes first.
