Isuzu D-Max 2013 News

Reputation is everything when selling cars and the Isuzu D-Max is renowned as a tough workhorse in terms of body and drivetrain. The image helps explain why regional and rural buyers are increasingly going for the Thai-built utes. They haven't taken off in the big cities as yet, but they will.With Isuzu Ute Australia commanding 6 per cent of the 4x4 ute segment to date this year, or about 4900 sales, it is outselling the heavily marketed Volkswagen Amarok by almost 2000 vehicles.IUA spokesman Dave Harding says the focus since the marque launched here as a separate entity in 2008 has been on slowly consolidating the brand. “We knew the D-Max would be popular in regional areas and we've focused on that,” Harding says, “but growing the dealer network in the metropolitan areas has also been a priority.“Building a dealer network takes time -- you need to find the right people in the right locations and the dealers need to be satisfied the brand is going to drive sales -- our recent performance will no doubt help with our dealer network expansion.”Harding says the next step is to increase Isuzu ute's urban footprint. To do that, the D-Max needs factory bling to satisfy family buyers, who increasingly like four-door utes for the height and versatility of having a tray to load everything from bikes to garden mulch.There's nothing wrong with the exterior looks of the D-Max range but the interior plastics are still not at the class-leading Ford Ranger level. “There's a couple of products in the pipeline but we haven't put a timeframe on it,” Harding says.“We are the largest distributor of the D-Max outside of the Thai market, but like all importers, we have to negotiate price and specification based on what's coming down the line.” The Thai factory builds more than 200,000 D-Max 4x2 and 4x4s a year and the rugged chassis also underpins the Holden Colorado on sale here. The D-Max range is from $27,200 for the single-cab rear-drive SX with five-speed manual to $51,700 for the LS-T crew cab with five-speed auto.

Only 200 of the X-Runner utes will be made available in Australia, priced at $46,990 drive-away.Based on the 4x4 LS-U D-Max, the newcomer has plenty of added value, according to Isuzu.“You’re getting $4500 in added value (accessories) as well as on-road costs; the X-Runner D-Max represents great value over the standard LS-U model,” Isuzu spokesman Dave Harding says.The $4500 of extras includes unique metallic paint, three-piece tonneau cover, black sports bar, tub liner, carpet mats and unique X-Runner decals.Under the bonnet the X-Runner will carry a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, four cylinder engine that will output 130kW and have 380Nm of torque. There is a five-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic variation that will come standard with ABS, central locking, six airbags and 17-inch alloys.The release of the X-Runner ute commemorates the Max-Run Challenge, which is Isuzu’s annual challenge on the long distance capabilities of their diesel ute range.Isuzu ambassadors Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki will be driving a 4x2 LS Crew Cab Ute, and will travel as far as one tank will take them. The previous record was set in 2009, when a similar model travelled 1716.4km from Far-North Queensland to South Australia on a single tank.

Available on all new models in the D-Max range, the five-year/130,000 km warranty will be applied to all retail and fleet customer categories, but excludes rental and government fleet purchases.The D-Max was previously offered with a three year, 100,000km warranty. The warranty is bumper to bumper and does not just cover the Isuzu powertrain.The Roadside Assistance program has also extended to five years and remains in line with warranty. It is also fully transferrable with change of ownership during warranty period. Genuine Isuzu D-Max accessories are not included in the five year warranty and are subject to normal warranty conditions.D-Max ute is powered exclusively by a new 3.0-litre turbo common rail diesel engine that generates 130kW of power and 380Nm of torque from 1800rpm. It's priced from $27,200 for the 4x2 single cab-chassis topping out at $51,700 for the 4x4 Hi-Ride crew cab automatic.