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  • Isuzu D-Max price and specs announced ahead of UK launch

    In Cars, International News, Isuzu / By / / 17 comments

    Click to enlarge.

    In the UK at least, the new Isuzu D-Max will be available with four specification levels. Also, for the first time for Isuzu in the UK, the extended cab body configuration that features rear-opening side-access panels will join the usual single and double cab variants.

    The entry-level D-Max is priced from £14,999 for the single cab 4×2 version where the air-conditioning, daytime running lights, electric windows, and side and curtain airbags.

    The ‘Eiger’ double-cab comes in at a price of £18.499. This variant comes added with projector headlamps, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, 16” alloys and body-coloured bumpers. The ‘Yukon’ double cab (£18,999) adds to the list with leather steering wheel with cruise control, six-speaker sound system, chrome detailing and 17” alloys.

    The top spec ‘Utah’ offers leather upholstery, heated front seats and auto climate control. It also gets roof bars and rear parking sensors. This variant is priced at £21,499.

    Click to enlarge.

    The D-Max is powered by a 2.5 litre twin-turbo common rail diesel engine that produces 163 PS and 400Nm at 1,400 rpm. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. Its new shift-on-the-fly system lets the driver go from 2WD to 4WD at speeds up to 60 mph (or 97 km/h).

    The D-Max will go on sale in the UK in June 2012. Yes, it is the same one that was launched in Thailand last year, which are not the ones that we currently have. No news of when the new D-Max will be arriving in our shores as yet.

     

  • Isuzu D-Max – all-new model makes debut in Thailand

    In Cars, International News, Isuzu / By / / 62 comments

    Isuzu has unveiled its all-new D-Max pickup in Thailand – the full model change version made its debut yesterday, ahead of the similarly-underpinned Chevrolet Colorado, which is expected to be introduced next week.

    Not many details about the vehicle abound, but according to the Bangkok Post, the basic shape for the vehicle – which sits on Isuzu’s new i-Grip platform – in its extra and double-cab versions are pretty much the same, and that the new D-Max rolls in with significantly more heft in terms of overall dimensions compared to the outgoing one, even though no figures were available for it at press time.

    The company says that the new D-Max’s body is 42% stiffer than the old one, and will help bring about improved handling and ride. In the double-cab, the larger dimensions of the vehicle bring about more legroom space for rear occupants, who also get more comfy seats at the back.

    In terms of engines, three turbodiesel options abound – a 177 hp and 380 Nm 3.0 litre heads the list, followed by a 2.5 litre mill in two output tunes, the first being the familiar 116 hp and 280 Nm as seen on the current vehicle, and the other the VGS version offering 136 hp and 320 Nm. As for transmissions, there’s the usual five-speed manual, but the auto tranny is now a five-speed unit, bringing it in line with current expectation.

    Among the features to be found on the new ‘un are traction control and a vehicle stability system, and there’s even an eight-speaker audio system, replete with surround sound. Sales of the vehicle, which will be available in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations, are expected to begin in early October in Thailand.

    In related news, Isuzu also announced that it will be constructing a new plant in Thailand to bring up its production capacity to meet the increasing demand for pickup trucks and their derivatives. The new facility – consisting of new painting facilities, 2,000t servo press facilities and assembly/inspection lines – will be built within the Isuzu Motors Thailand Gateway plant.

    The new factory, to be built at an estimated cost of 18 billion yen, is slated to begin operation by autumn 2012, and when it is completed, Isuzu Motors Thailand’s pickup truck production capacities in both its Samrong and Gateway plants will be increased to 400,000 units yearly.

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  • 2011 Isuzu D-Max launched – more bling on the muscle

    In Cars, Isuzu, Local News / By / / 26 comments

    Isuzu Malaysia last night launched the 2011 D-Max pickup, which features more in the way of bling. With an emphasis on style, the improvements to the vehicle are pretty much based on appearance.

    Up front, the new bumper design incorporates a bold new bumper guard. Also new to the exterior dress up job are chromed front fog lamp bezels and new polished finish sports wheels.

    There’s also a redesigned side step – the new design aids in giving the D-Max an accented body line while providing easier ingress and exit from the vehicle. Completing things outside is a new roll bar, which is finished in a light-alloy texture.

    Inside, the D-Max gets a whole new dimension, with the use of black trim in place of the previous grey base. This new colour scheme extends to the dashboard, door panels, pillars and headlining. Contrast is provided by chrome accents on the air-conditioning vents, speaker bezels and gearshift.

    Mechanically, the 2011 D-Max remains familiar – continuing on under the bonnet are the 2.5 litre and 3.0 litre Super Commonrail engines as well as the 2.5 litre direct-injection mill. Both Super Commonrail-engined models now come with a distinctive platinum-coloured engine cover.

    Two new exterior colour choices join the shade lineup – a bolder new white and a more radical metallic black colour add on to the current five body colours available. Pricing starts from RM74,273 for the 2.5LS Direct Injection Diesel Turbo 4×2 MT right up to RM99,296 for the range-topping 3.0L Ddi i-TEQ Super Commonrail 4×4 AT, on-the-road with insurance.

    Gallery after the jump.
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  • Isuzu Malaysia opens new 3S centre in Seremban

    In Cars, Isuzu, Local News / By / / 2 comments

    Isuzu Malaysia has opened its latest 3S centre, in Seremban, to support the growing demand for its vehicles in the country. The new Ultra Gallant outlet in Rahang Baru is an integrated sales, service, spare parts facility..

    The outlet sits strategically on Jalan Tampin, within easy access of numerous business operators in Seremban. It offers Isuzu owners and potential customers with a complete one-stop Isuzu facility including new vehicle sales, spare parts and service under one roof.

    Isuzu Malaysia’s CEO Takashi Hata said that the new outlet was a reflection of the healthy growth enjoyed by Isuzu, especially in high-growth areas such as Seremban.

     

  • Volkswagen mulling stake in Isuzu, eyeing possible takeover

    In Cars, International News, Isuzu / By / / 9 comments

    According to reports, Volkswagen is considering taking a stake in Isuzu Motors or purchasing the company outright, though it looks like a decision won’t be made anytime soon.

    Seemingly, one of VW’s board members, Jochem Heizmann, has visited Isuzu’s production sites and held talks with the Japanese company, which is Japan’s largest manufacturer of medium to heavy trucks and of which Toyota has a 5.9% stake in.

    Apparently, VW also discussed the possibility of MAN acquiring a holding in Isuzu, which would put the latter into the Veedub fold by proxy – VW holds a close to 30% stake in the German truckmaker. Both MAN and Isuzu declined to comment on the reports.

    VW is of course on a quest to attain the No 1 automaker spot in the world, and is looking to acquire brands to aid its march to the top – Porsche is already set to become VW’s 10th brand, and the company is looking at Alfa Romeo as a possible addition to the stable.

     

  • Isuzu launches D-MAX 2.5 Super Commonrail with 4×4

    In Cars, Isuzu, Local News / By / / 57 comments

    Isuzu Malaysia has launched the D-MAX 2.5 Super Commonrail fitted with a 4JK1-TC 2.5 litre engine with the Direct-Injection Electronic Commonrail system. This new model, available in the double-cab form only will be sold alongside the current 2.5 litre which is already on sale. It comes with a non-commonrail direct injection system.

    This engine produces 79 PS at 3,900 RPM and 176Nm of torque at 1,800 RPM. The new engine on the other hand makes 116 PS at 3,600 RPM and 280Nm of torque between 1,800 and 2200 RPM. This basically means that the power difference is 37 PS and 104Nm, quite significant actually.

    Furthermore, the D-MAX 2.5 Super Commonrail is available with a 4×4 configuration as the less potent variant maintains its 4×2 layout. The new variant continues to use the 5-speed manual transmission featured in the non-commonrail model. There are two trim levels available, including the base Type-B and the Premium.

    The latter comes additionally with projector headlights, fog lamps, indicators integrated into the wing mirrors, dual airbags, as well as ABS with EBD. Also in the list is a 2-DIN audio unit with MP3 and WMA compatibility, Isuzu’s e-Lumax instrument panel with a multi-info display, aero-type side steps and a leather-wrapped gear knob. Both trim levels also benefit from a limited-slip differential and an anti-theft alarm system with key-coded immobilizer.

    The 2.5 Super Commonrail will be available at all Isuzu dealerships nationwide beginning October 1st. Price details will also be available on the same date but expect the range topping Premium model to be priced at about RM89,000. Isuzu also announced the Smart Saver campaign where customers who purchase the double-cab D-MAX will be entitled to a free Garmin GPS unit and a cash rebate. This promotion is valid till November 30th.

    UPDATE: The D-MAX 2.5 Super Commonrail Type-B is priced at RM82,155.40 OTR with insurance (for solid paint finish) while the Premium spec goes for RM88,411.40 OTR with insurance (for solid paint finish).

    Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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  • Thailand vehicle sales on the up despite political crisis

    In Cars, General Motors, Isuzu, Toyota / By / / 10 comments

    Political strife within the Thai government hasn’t slowed down vehicle sales in the Kingdom. In April, General Motors reported a 62% jump in sales to 1,879 vehicles compared to 1,162 units in the same month last year. With this rise in demand, GM is toying with the idea of increasing output at its Rayong factory to 76,000 vehicles per annum and to invest US$467 million to upgrade facilities and build a new diesel engine plant.

    The gains are not just for GM, as even Toyota, who recently suspended production at one of its plants, increased deliveries by 43% to 92,000 units. Isuzu, another big pick-up truck player, has reported a 44% jump to 46,071 units sold. These figures are year-to-date, as of end April. According to the Automotive Industry Club, general vehicle output has increased by 129% from a year earlier to 150,119 vehicles.

    Ray Young, GM’s vice president of international operations, is concerned about the current political crisis but reiterated his company’s confidence in our northern neighbour. “We are monitoring the situation in Thailand, but we remain optimistic. Our business and expansion plans will continue in Thailand without delays. The nation will remain the leading automotive market in the ASEAN region,” he said.

    Source

     

  • Shocking EuroNCAP Pick-Up Truck Crash Tests!

    In Cars, International News, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan / By / / 37 comments

    Pick-up trucks are becoming increasingly popular as family vehicles these days. They love the utility provided by the storage bed, the frugality and hardiness of the turbodiesel engine, and the off-road capability to tackle our flood-cursed city centrals. Many small families do not mind the cramped interior that you get most of the time. While pick-ups are available with safety features like airbags and ABS, how safe are they in reality?

    For the first time ever, Euro NCAP has tested pick-up trucks in the light of the vehicles becoming more and more popular for family usage, and it reveals to us some shocking facts. Three trucks were crashed – the Nissan Navara (second generation Frontier – ours is the first gen), the Isuzu D-MAX and the Mitsubishi L200 (known as the Triton in Malaysia). The following are the results:

    Please read the following full crash test reports for full details:
    Isuzu D-MAX, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara

    The Nissan Navara scored the worst in adult occupant protection – not even one proper star but only a struck-through star. According to the report, the chassis rail collapsed and the accelerator pedal moved as much as 20cm into the footwell – that would definitely cause really serious injury to your legs. The airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners also activated too late into the crash, which EuroNCAP says poses “a high risk of life threatening injury”.

    Nissan has developed new airbag software for the Nissan Navara and all new Nissan Navaras now have the updated software. All existing Nissan Navaras on the road will also receive a free airbag software update at their service centers.

    The Mitsubishi L200/Triton scored 4 stars for adult occupant protection, and if you view the full crash report, you will see that the driver’s body and leg protection ranged from weak to marginal, but at least the head received good protection.

    Very shocking – please do read the full crash test reports linked above. It’s a pity EuroNCAP did not test the Toyota Hilux. The Toyota Hilux is one of the most popular pick-up trucks used as a family car here in Malaysia, plus a full-bodied 7-seater version of it is sold as the Fortuner.

     

  • Isuzu exits the US market

    In Cars, International News, Isuzu / By / / 11 comments

    Isuzu i-series

    Isuzu has decided to leave the US market, and will officially stop selling new vehicles in the country on the 31st of January 2009, a year from now. The decision to leave the American market was fueled by the inability to produce replacement models for its Isuzu Ascender and Isuzu i-series, the only two trucks it sells in the US market.

    The Isuzu Ascender is essentially a reskinned Chevrolet Trailblazer, and the Isuzu i-series (shown above) is based on the GM small-pickup platform. Isuzu says GM may discontinue these two vehicles, thus leaving Isuzu with nothing to base their next generation US models on. Of course, the other reason could be that Isuzu sales in the US had slid from 103,937 in 1999 down to only 7,098 units last year.

    “It has always been our intention to remain in the U.S. market. However, we were unable to secure any commercially viable replacements for these vehicles. Although Isuzu will cease supplying passenger vehicles in North America, it will continue to stand behind its customers and dealers here for years to come. Specifically, Isuzu will continue to honor all product warranties and roadside-assistance programs and will maintain its owner relations call center. Isuzu will be offering all current U.S. dealers the opportunity to continue on as service dealerships for Isuzu,” said Terry Maloney, CEO.

    Source

     
 
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