Special Walkinshaw tuned Isuzu D-Max edges closer: 2025 Isuzu D-Max Blade ute to take fight to Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and Toyota HiLux GR Sport

Isuzu has released its first teaser for the upcoming D-Max Blade, a locally prepared ute tuned by Australian outfit Walkinshaw known for making fast Holdens.

The special-edition D-Max will be engineered specifically for Australian conditions at Walkinshaw’s facility in Melbourne, where it currently undertakes right-hand drive conversions for the Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500 and 2500, and soon the Toyota Tundra and GMC Yukon.

Most of the project remains shrouded in secrecy, with a full list of details expected on November 1 when the Blade is officially released. Deliveries are expected to commence soon after.

Prior homologation documents lodged to the Australian government in July have revealed some of what to expect, with changes noted to the wheels, tyres and springs. Together the modifications have culminated in a ride height that is 26.5mm higher at the front and 26.5mm higher at the rear.

There is also a new sailplane with a brake light, new wheel arches and a sump guard, though no images accompanied the submission.

Changes to the powertrain were not reported either, suggesting the D-Max Blade is unlikely to challenge the power output of the Ford Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.

The D-Max is currently offered with the choice of a 1.9-litre or 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, with Isuzu almost certainly choosing the latter for the Blade, putting it in closer contention with the Toyota HiLux GR Sport and Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior developed by Premcar.

It produces 140kW/450Nm, with power transmitted to all four-wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

It’s the first collaboration between Isuzu and Walkinshaw, and one Isuzu Ute Australia’s Deputy Managing Director, Koichiro Yoshida, says has been a long time in the making.

“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,” said Yoshida.

Walkinshaw has earned a strong reputation in the Australian automotive industry, formerly as the performance tuner behind Holden Special Vehicles, before converting its operations primarily to right-hand drive conversions and limited-edition runs of performance tuned utes.

The Isuzu D-Max Blade will join the Volkswagen Amarok W580, Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme and Holden Sportscat as Walkinshaw’s latest collaboration.