ISUZU Ute Australia has handed down a teaser for its anticipated D-Max Blade ute, forward of an early November launch.
Particulars of the D-Max Blade first surfaced in July when authorities approval paperwork confirmed Isuzu and engineering agency Walkinshaw had filed plans for a “styling solely” improve that would come with an elevated top by way of modifications to the wheels, tyres and is derived.
Authorities paperwork verify a 26.5mm and 29mm entrance/rear top enhance past the prevailing flagship D-Max X-Terrain, which stands at 1810mm tall on 265/60 R18 rubber.
Right now’s shadowy preview gives no extra particulars, with any beauty modifications painted out of the one equipped picture. The federal government submitting does, nevertheless, verify new wheel flares and a sailplane sports activities bar distinctive to the brand new mannequin, together with a sump guard.
The accompanying assertion additionally makes the Blade title and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group partnership official.
Isuzu Ute Australia deputy managing director Koichiro Yoshida stated the D-Max Blade “was a venture that was reengineered particularly for native Australian circumstances in partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) in Melbourne”.
“For so long as I can keep in mind, clients and the media have requested a few higher-spec, off-road prepared ute to rival the competitors, one thing extraordinarily succesful, with out compromise.”
The “higher-spec” features will clearly be restricted to no matter wheel, tyre and is derived package deal shall be distinctive to the Blade, leaving the prevailing 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powerplant to supply energy.
On this respect, the D-Max Blade will fall wanting the powered-up new Ford Ranger Raptor, as an alternative following within the tracks of different much less aggressively enhanced fashions just like the Nissan Navara Professional-4X Warrior, developed domestically by Premcar, and the 15kW/50Nm uprated Toyota HiLux GR Sport.
The earlier Ranger Raptor fell into this class too, with its modifications restricted to vital suspension work and a extra excessive styling makeover.
Walkinshaw, for its half, has made its mark within the ute house with fashions just like the HSV-badged Holden Colorado SportsCat, Volkswagen Amarok W580 and the Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme.
Pricing for the D-Max Blade is likewise but to be revealed, however with the X-Terrain priced from $67,990 drive-away, patrons can possible count on the brand new hero variant to enter at about $75,000 excluding on-road prices.
By comparability, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 is slightly below $75,000 earlier than on-road prices, whereas the Ranger Raptor sits atop the section at $90,440 + ORC.
The D-Max Blade shall be absolutely unveiled on November 1, with native deliveries to start “quickly after”.
