2nd-generation D-Max finally arrives in PH

THE ISUZU designer team had put on long hours of designing and testing, tried in several wind tunnels around the world, especially the wind tunnel at Japan Railway Technical Research Institute.

When Isuzu Thailand introduced to the world the second-generation D-Max pickup in October 2011, we were hopeful here in the Philippines that a left-hand version would soon reach our showrooms.

But as fate would have it, the wait lasted almost two years as Isuzu Thailand momentarily halted shipment overseas after its factories got flooded that same year. Even when all operations had normalized, overseas deliveries were still delayed as productions in Thailand were just enough to satisfy the fast-growing domestic demand.

“The wait may have been a long one, but for many of us here, it’s worth it,” said Arthur Balmadrid, Isuzu Philippines Inc. (IPC) senior vice president for sales. “This new pickup would continue the original D-Max’s legendary durability and fuel efficiency. With the second generation, however, Isuzu engineers have not only enhanced these core features—the entire package, including comfort, safety and performance, has also been elevated to new heights.”

The all-new D-Max will be available today in all Isuzu dealerships nationwide.

“The all-new D-Max was completed from an all-out effort of Isuzu Motors in Thailand and Japan,” said Katsumasa Nagai, Isuzu Motors Ltd. engineering division executive/director of the board and senior executive officer. “The vehicle is an output of strong aspiration from everyone involved—not only in engineering but also in manufacturing—to produce the very best D-Max.”

THE SECOND-GENERATION D-Max (known as the V-Cross in Thailand) will soon be produced by IPC in Laguna.

The all-new D-Max, which was designed in cooperation with General Motors, may share the same ladder-chassis platform with its sister model, the new Chevrolet Colorado. However, the signature styling and engine technology are an Isuzu exclusive.

The most notable difference is the all-new D-Max’s aggressive, angular front fascia that is highlighted by upswept headlights, sloping hood/front grille and prominent roof line.

New from ground up

When compared with its predecessor, the all-new D-Max is new from the ground up. Built on the i-GRIP (Isuzu Gravity Response Intelligent Platform) base, it employs more high-tensile strength steel that makes it 42 percent stiffer than the previous D-Max.

It has also grown in size as the new pickup is now longer by 26 centimeters (at 5.295 meters), wider by 6 cm (at 1.85 m), taller by 6 cm (at 1.795 m). Its wheelbase got longer by 4.5 cm (at 3.095 m) while ground clearance was increased by 1 cm (at 23.5 cm), one of the highest ground clearances among pickups. Even the wheels got bigger: The LS 4×4 will be equipped with 225/65 R17 tires, while the LS 4×2 and LT will have 245/70 R16 tires.

The larger dimensions mean more space for the driver and passengers as well as more cargo room. Isuzu also claims that the more angled rear seats are best in class when it comes to comfort.

Better aerodynamics

Interestingly, Isuzu designers and engineers did not forget to improve the new pickup aerodynamics. With a coefficient of drag of 0.47, the all-new D-Max is 5 percent more slippery than the previous one as tested in the wind tunnel facilities of the Japan Railway Technical Research Institute, the same agency that developed Japan’s famed Shinkansen Bullet Trains.

THE ALL-NEW D-Max (left) has improved greatly from its predecessor.

The all-new D-Max also features a new suspension system that features independent double wishbone, with coil springs in front and semi-elliptical over-slung leaf springs in the rear (offered in the LS variants).

These improvements make the all-new D-Max a lot more quiet and fuel-efficient at higher speeds.

Engine choices

IPC announced today that there will be two engine choices for the all-new D-Max. The 4×4 LS and LT variants will be powered by the venerable 144-horsepower 3-liter Common Rail Direct Injection with Turbocharger and Intercooler (4JJ1-TC) diesel engine that generates 294 Newton-meters of torque.

The base variant LT 4×2 and single cab are now powered by a new 108-HP 2.5-liter Common Rail Direct Injection with Turbocharger and Intercooler Diesel (4JK1-TC) that produces 280 Nm of torque.

Matching these engine choices is a new five-speed automatic transmission (offered in the LS 4×2 and 4×4 variants) that features a sequential shift function that makes manual gear-shifting possible.

The all-new D-Max comes in seven exciting variants: the double cab automatic LS 4×4 (P1.457 million), manual LS 4×4 (P1.398 million), automatic LS 4×2 A/T (P1.196 million), manual

WEDGE-SHAPE and muscular fender design gives the all-new D-Max (above photo) a strong athletic appearance.

LT 4×4 (P1.153 million), manual LS 4×2 (P1.144 million), manual LT 4×2 (P857,000) and single cab  manual 4×2 (P697,000).

New all-terrain feature

Powering the offroad capability of the pickup is Isuzu’s new 4WD Terrain Command Select Dial that allows the driver to switch from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive high even while traveling at speeds of up to 100 kph. This can be done easily, too, as the driver only needs to twist a knob on the console.

The all-new D-Max also has an approach angle of 30 degrees and a departure angle of 22.7 degrees, and can be tilted sideways on a 49-degree slope. All 4×4 variants are equipped with a Limited Slip Differential, allowing the pickup to negotiate most offroad obstacles.

All LS variants of the all-new D-Max are also equipped with a host of safety features that include the safety shell made from high-tensile strength steel; side-impact beams; dual front airbags; seatbelts with emergency locking retractor, pre-tensioner and load limiter; antilock braking system supplemented by electronic brake-force distribution and new brake assist.

“I believe that with the strong Isuzu reputation for durability, reliability and fuel efficiency, and the fact that the second-generation pickup has made great strides in areas of design, comfort and safety, the all-new D-Max will satisfy a significantly wider audience than before,” said Balmadrid.

Soon, made in PH

Perhaps, the most surprising of all is the announcement of IPC president Nobuo Izumina during the all-new D-Max’s launch at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. “Isuzu Philippines is optimistic over the prospects of the all-new D-Max,” Izumina said. “Its arrival not only means that the Filipino market will get a product that adheres to global standards of excellence, but also that the vehicle will contribute to the growth of the Philippine automotive manufacturing sector.”

He informed that like the bestselling model it replaced, the all-new D-Max will be built at IPC’s world-class manufacturing plant at the Laguna Technopark in

Biñan.

Assembly is scheduled to start in the next few months.

ACCORDING to Isuzu, the all-new D-Max is better than it has ever been with tough-as-nails build quality and design.

“This decision ensures continued job security for the Filipino workforce, a move that is in line with IPC’s commitment to strengthen the Philippine automotive industry and the domestic economy. At present, 90 percent of Isuzu models, including the Crosswind AUV and truck and bus models, are assembled locally,” Izumina said.

He added that when IPC built its manufacturing facility in the 1990s, the very first unit that rolled off from our production line was a pickup, the Isuzu TF190.

“Seven years later, we introduced the Isuzu Fuego pickup, creating a spark in the industry that revolutionized the concept of the pickup as a utility vehicle and a lifestyle vehicle combined. It was no surprise that Isuzu grabbed the No. 1 position in the pickup category for four years,” Izumina said.

The IPC president continued that in 2003, Isuzu again shook the industry when it unveiled the first-generation D-Max to meet market expectations that demand utility, beauty and power. “We again obtained the top spot in pickup sales for three consecutive years,” said Izumina, who informed that more than 20,000 D-Max have been sold since its introduction.

Photos by Charles E. Buban