A NEW trademark software filed by Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) could possibly be the strongest indication but {that a} flagship D-Max designed to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor and Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior is within the works and nearing completion.
Initially filed on October 9 final 12 months, the Class 12 software revolves across the time period ‘V-Cross’, a D-Max nameplate supplied in Thailand with related specification ranges to the present X-Terrain flagship supplied domestically.
IUA has made no secret of the very fact it has been monitoring the recognition of flagship pick-ups in Australia and whereas there’s nothing concrete to recommend the brand new nameplate will likely be connected to a extra succesful D-Max, it may point out the X-Terrain is ready for a spec-upgrade to make it extra of a match for the aforementioned Ranger and Navara.
That would depart a sizeable hole within the vary between the X-Terrain and the second tier LS-U, one which could possibly be plugged neatly by the generously specced V-Cross.
The handy timing of this new patent can also be sufficient to lift a number of eyebrows given Nissan is launching its up to date Navara later this month – an up to date N-Trek Warrior has been confirmed for a later launch – and that Mazda introduced simply final week it was growing a flagship BT-50, a car that makes use of the D-Max as its foundation.
For reference, information of Mazda’s BT-50 announcement broke on the identical day (January 27) IUA’s software was accepted by IP Australia.
Regardless of the wealth of proof increase, IUA has performed down the notion of an upgraded D-Max, telling GoAuto the V-Cross nameplate “was trademarked for potential future use in Australia” however that it had “no plan to make use of it at this stage”.
“We’ll proceed to observe the market and client habits to supply one of the best product for our prospects,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Whereas IUA stays coy concerning the chance for now, Mazda was extra forthcoming about its looming BT-50 flagship, telling GoAuto its new top-spec ute “could have a powerful ‘sports activities truck’ attraction” with extra data to be supplied “sooner or later”.
With two distinctly completely different paths in a position to be adopted, solely time will inform whether or not Mazda will go down the solely beauty route – a la the Toyota HiLux Rogue and Ford Ranger Wildtrak X – or go all out and improve the BT-50’s underpinnings in the same ilk to the Raptor and Warrior.
Given the present D-Max X-Terrain already comes with a spate of visible enhancements over the remainder of the vary – metallic gray trim, flared guards, distinctive entrance bumper, sports activities bar and rear aero spoilers – we’d anticipate IUA to go together with the latter possibility and improve the D-Max’s underpinnings, a transfer that may make sense for each it and Mazda given the shared platform.
What’s much less clear nevertheless is that if both model will make the modifications in-house or outsource the duty to a third-party firm like Nissan did with Premcar when growing the Warrior.
Both method, any mechanical upgrades to the three.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine are unlikely given the D-Max’s 140kW/450Nm outputs are already aggressive for the category, if somewhat behind the Ranger (157kW/500Nm) and HiLux (150kW/500Nm).
