Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) has revealed the new Isuzu D-Max Blade, following three years of development and 100,000km of outback testing with re-engineering firm Walkinshaw Automotive, ushering in its most hardcore off-road model yet.
The new model is Isuzu’s answer to beefed-up dual-cab ute models like the Navara Pro-4X Warrior, Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota GR Sport – but it comes at a price premium over the rest of the D-Max range.
Isuzu has released the new model with a ‘special introductory price’ of $76,990 drive-away, which is around $6,000 more than the LS-U+ variant it is based on. While that sounds like a lot for a few off-road upgrades, the specification improvements are significant.
For starters, Isuzu and Walkinshaw have equipped the Blade with Monroe MTV twin-tube shock absorbers and a wider 17-inch wheel design shod with 275/65 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT tyres – together adding 29mm of ground clearance.
Clearly aimed at hard off-road use, the Blade also gets 3.0mm underbody protection, which is twice as thick as the bash plates on other models, and an 8.0-tonne recovery point system. Both the underbody protection and recovery point system feature dual-layer powdercoating, which Walkinshaw subjected to 480 hours of salt spray and extensive impact testing.
Visual changes are fairly dramatic too, with a revised front grille with a built-in lightbar capable of throwing more than 325 metres of light – ideal for outback driving. Chassis-mounted side steps look the part, but sit higher than the standard options and are more durable too.
At its core, the Blade shares the same proven architecture as the rest of the D-Max model lineup. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 140kW/450Nm remains, as does the 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, and the Blade scores a payload of 896kg – down on the carrying capacity of some D-Max variants but on-par with competitor models.
The D-Max Blade benefits from IUA’s updated Service Plus customer care program, which includes a six-year/150,000km warranty, five-year Flat Price Servicing program at $449 per year/15,000km intervals, and up to seven-years of roadside assistance.
