Toughened-up dual-cab utes are in vogue with a clear demand for more off-road focussed versions suited to the Australian terrain. Hence, it is not surprising that locally engineered versions with a more rugged DNA embedded in them are coming in thick and fast. The latest one is the Isuzu D-Max Blade which was developed with Walkinshaw Automotive and is specially designed for the Australian market with little to no involvement from Isuzu’s Japanese HQ other than the necessary approvals.
This means that the toughest iteration of the D-Max was rigorously tested on Australian soil with the folks at Walkinshaw Automotive having completed a 100,000km durability test program in Melbourne and Outback Australia. The group was responsible for bringing this from concept to reality with over a dozen prototypes being developed and tested, including 22MY, 23MY and 24MY pilot vehicles.
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Most important to note is that the D-Max Blade is not a bonafide Ranger Raptor competitor as it still has the 140kW @ 3600rpm and 450Nm @ 1600–2600rpm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. This more closely pits it against the HiLux GR Sport, but with 165kW and 550Nm in that model, it’s still down on power overall.
Changes for the D-Max Blade are concentrated on altering its dynamic abilities including enhancing its off-road potential. Underneath the beefier looks, the D-Max Blade comes with a 29mm lift, thanks to the new 35mm MTV twin-tube suspension along with a larger wheel and tyre package. The ground clearance is 244mm while it has an 800mm wading depth.
The engineers pored over various spring rates and damper tunes before settling on the OEM spring rate and Monroe 35mm MTV twin-tube dampers with lifted spring seats. It’s 16.6 per cent larger and brings in more chassis control alongside improved temperature management and a larger piston for more durability. Most importantly, the suspension has also been tuned while keeping the 3.5-tonne towing capacity intact.
The 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres wrapped around new satin black 17×8.5-inch alloy wheels are not just for cosmetic reasons as they also improve the traction- both on and off-road. Wider, taller, and more durable, the tyres have deeper tread blocks, shoulder lugs, and a triple-ply sidewall for more puncture resistance. The Duratrac RTs also have a 3PMSF rating for use in snowy conditions.
Speaking of which, the D-Max Blade has an approach angle of 29.2°, a departure angle of 19.2° departure and a 25.2° breakover angle. Elsewhere, there is more underbody protection with a 3.0mm steel bash plate, a load-rated recovery point system and a dual hook.
Visually, apart from the beefier tyres, the D-Max Blade can be identified by the more aggressive grille and bumper plus swollen wheel arches along with more black detailing. Inside the grille, there is a 112-watt lightbar with a light pattern throw of over 325 meters. Other cosmetic changes also include the Japanese ‘Katana’ line spread across the doors (where the Blade moniker comes in) with a series of satin black geometric stripes.
Take a look inside and the changes are more subtle but there is Blade branding everywhere including the headrests, floor mats and the scuff plates. Adding an exclusive touch is the built-in plate on the transmission lever and in the engine bay.
The ISUZU D-Max Blade comes with an introductory price of $76,990 drive away and is available in Moonstone White pearl, Basalt Black mica, Granite Grey mica or Sunstone Orange Mica. That means a sizeable premium of around $9,000 more expensive than the X-Terrain (approx. $68,000) but considering what is on offer here, the D-Max Blade seems to be a solid offering in the segment that will appeal to welded-on customers.
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