From HSVs to hardcore utes: Walkinshaw teams with Isuzu to deliver D-Max Blade
Today at 09:43 PM
No, Isuzu isn’t quite building a Ford Ranger Raptor rival, but will instead target its new D-Max Blade against the Toyota HiLux Rogue and others.
Isuzu and Walkinshaw will team up to deliver a new hardcore D-Max ute that will rival the likes of the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, Toyota HiLux Rogue and Mazda BT-50 Thunder.
Due to be revealed in November, the D-Max Blade is confirmed to be a "locally redesigned and remanufactured off-road focussed ute" and will usurp the X-Terrain as the new flagship Isuzu ute.
For reference, the D-Max X-Terrain is priced at $67,990 before on-road costs and is powered by a 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine – the same powertrain across the 4×4 D-Max line-up.
It is unclear whether the Blade will increase outputs, but as seen with existing modified utes, a powertrain tweak is unlikely due to reliability, warranty, and certification hurdles.
MORE: Revealed – Isuzu D-Max Blade coming soon to Australia as Ranger Raptor rival
Expect to see changes to suspension, underbody protection, wheels, tyres, and a host of accessories such as a sports bar, bullbar, and winch to elevate the Blade above the X-Terrain and make it a more off-road-ready model from the showroom floor.
Isuzu Ute Australia deputy managing director Koichiro Yoshida said the Blade is a direct response to buyer feedback for the brand to enter the hardcore pick-up space.
"For as long as I can remember, customers and the media have asked about a higher-spec, off-road ready ute to rival the competition, something extremely capable, without compromise," he said.
This will be the fourth off-road-ready ute Walkinshaw has locally produced, following the Volkswagen Amarok W-Series of vehicles and the Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme.
Under the Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) brand, Walkinshaw has previously followed a similar formula with the development of the Holden-based Colorado SportsCat, which actually shared much of its underpinnings with the previous-generation D-Max.
Meanwhile, Premcar remanufacturers the Navara Pro-4X and Patrol for Nissan under its Warrior nomenclature.
The Toyota HiLux Rogue and Mazda BT-50 Thunder also feature a more off-road focus with added accessories and protection but are done in-house locally by their respective brands.
The post From HSVs to hardcore utes: Walkinshaw teams with Isuzu to deliver D-Max Blade appeared first on Drive.
