2013 Isuzu D-Max On Sale In Australia

Isuzu's all-new D-Max pickup has arrived, starting at $27,200 for the entry-level SX and topping out at $51,700 for the top-shelf LS-Terrain.

Replacing the venerable first-gen model on sale in Australia since 2008 - and before that, since 2003 as the Holden Rodeo - the 2013 D-Max will go on sale from July 2.

As with its predecessor, and like the Ranger and BT-50 twins, the new D-Max has been developed alongside Holden's new Colorado.

While the new D-Max shares much of its ladder-chassis platform and mechanical componentry with the 2012 Colorado, Isuzu's new ute gets its own unique face, with meatier guards, upswept headlights and a more conventional grille design.

Inside, the differences are less obvious, with the two pickups sharing a largely identical cabin. The dash, centre stack, steering wheel and doors all mirror the interior of the new Colorado.

The D-Max will be offered with single, space and crew cabs in cab-chassis, ute and ute hi-ride form. There are 22 models in all, spanning one engine, manual and automatic transmissions, six trim grades, and 4x4 and 4x2 configurations.

Mechanical Package

The new D-Max range is powered by an updated version of the existing 3.0 litre turbodiesel, producing 130kW at 3600rpm and 380Nm from 1800rpm to 3000rpm in manual form, and to 2800rpm with the auto.

Transmissions include the familiar five-speed manual, now with a revised gear-lever pivot point, and a newly-developed five-speed 'Rev-Tronic' automatic transmission with sequential sports mode.

The new auto is electronically controlled by the transmission control module, featuring an adaptive-learning function that monitors brake and throttle use.

The system allows the transmission to automatically select the most appropriate shift points and lock-up points depending on the driver’s behaviour, the vehicle speed and the vehicle load. The auto also has ‘Hill Descent’ and ‘Hill-Ascent’ modes.

Depending on the specification, fuel consumption figures vary from 8.0 to 8.3 l/100km, while CO2 emissions vary from 211 to 220g/km.

The 2013 D-Max also introduces a new Terrain Command 4WD select dial, allowing the driver to adjust between two-and four-wheel drive modes while travelling at speeds of up to 100km/h.

There's a new ladder frame chassis in the new D-Max, dubbed i-Grip - Isuzu Gravity Response Intelligent Platform. Isuzu says strength and rigidity is improved by 42 percent.

The new D-Max also gets a longer wheelbase across the range, up from 3050mm in the current model to 3095mm for the 2013 pickup.

The suspension package includes the new 'Flex-Ride' system. The front-end gets independent double wishbone with coil spings and gas shocks, while the rear gets long-span leaf springs; under-slung on 4x2 models and over-slung for the 4x4.

Braking is managed by 300mm ventilated front discs with 2-piston calipers (280mm on 4x2 SX Single Cab Chassis and Low-Ride); 295mm rear drums

Isuzu promises a braked towing capacity of 3.0 tonne across the range, and a load capacity of 1000kg.

Click here to see Exterior Dimensions & Load Area chart.

Features

Across the range, standard features include air conditioning with a fine-particle pollen filter, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.

LS models and up get LED brake lights and projector headlights, and the top-shelf LS-Terrain gets a reversing camera as standard, along with a touchscreen display and satellite navigation with 10,000 off-road destinations.

Depending on the trim grade, there is also a 'SkySound' roof-mounted surround sound system.

Standard safety features include six airbags, a high-strength passenger safety cell, collapsible steering column and brake pedal, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Wheels & Tyres

• 4x2 SX manual 15"x 6.5" drilled silver-finish steel; 215 / 70 R15 HT
• 4x2 SX auto 16"x 7" drilled silver-finish steel; 245 / 70 R16 AT
• 4x2 LS 17"x 7" alloy; 255 / 65 R17 HT
• 4x4 EX, SX 16"x 7" drilled silver-finish steel; 245 / 70 R16 AT
• 4x4 LS-M 16"x 7" alloy; 245 / 70 R16 AT
• 4x4 LS-U 17"x 7" alloy; 255 / 65 R17 HT
• (Full size spare wheel on all model variants)

Warranty

3 years or 100,000km, whichever occurs first.

Pricing

The new D-Max is available from July 2.