ISUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC) couldn’t have chosen a better date to launch the newest variation of its best-selling pickup D-Max than the eve of the Chinese New Year on January 27.
It may just be pure coincidence or IPC might have consulted a Fengshui expert on the matter but one thing is for sure, the 2017 D-Max X series will rock the sales chart.
The new D-Max X series is a real looker. Isuzu deserves a tap on the back for coming up with good-looking variants. The latest iteration of the D-Max now sports a new gun-metal radiator grille displaying the proud red Isuzu logo in the middle that matches the red striping on the lower skirt, as well.
The aerodynamic package continues all the way to the rear with the addition of side skirts at the rear end. The cargo spoiler installed atop the bed isn’t just for show but it effectively raises the sidewall of the bed by a few inches, thereby adding depth to its already large bed. The bed is installed with a thick plastic cover with additional hooks on the side to better secure your cargo when tying it down. The sporty exterior look is finished off with a new set of two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels.
Meanwhile inside the vehicle, the black soft leather seat covers now have red stitching that go very well with the X-series badges on the seats. The side doorsteps have been installed with silver cover that displays the red Isuzu logo, which lights up whenever the door opens. The accessories complement the piano black theme of the ergonomically designed dashboard.
There is only one engine available for the X series and that is the common-rail direct injection 3.0 liter 4JJ1-TC (HI) diesel engine equipped with Variable Geometry System (VGS) Turbocharger. It produces 163hp and 380 N-m of torque. This is paired with a choice of either a five-speed automatic with sequential shift or a five-speed manual.
It is the same engine, which topped the Department of Energy’s (DOE) fuel run in 2016—registering an incredible 38.46 kilometer-per-liter fuel consumption equipped with a manual tranny.
On his opening remarks, Hajime Koso, the amiable president of IPC, said, “There is no denying that the Isuzu D-Max is an ideal for leisure activities and is also a highly capable workhorse. With the arrival of the new D-Max X-series, the model now addresses the lifestyle mobility requirement of active and urban families too. So now, no other pickup truck available in the market can offer the combination of utility, reliability, versatility that the D-Max X series does”.
He proudly added, “Isuzu Philippines sold 3,966 D-Max units in 2016, with the deliveries rising 27.6 percent when compared to the model’s sales result in 2015. This growth, which is in lockstep with the pace of commercial vehicle demand in the country, was fueled largely by the continuous upgrades that the D-Max has received. The introduction of the new X-series line is meant to sustain the D-Max’s upward trajectory.”
Buyers of the new D-Max X series are also in for another treat, as Isuzu has partnered with one of the leading sports performance brand in the country—Under Armour—to create the X-series sports edition apparel and items.
For every purchase of Isuzu’s X-series pickup, buyers can choose from the collection of sports polo, streakers, sweatshirts, Golf towels, sports cap, sack pack and duffle bags, which were worn by the models during the unveiling of the company’s newest offering. The 2017 D-Max X series are available in three exciting colors—Splash White, Venetian Red and Cosmic Black. They are priced at P1.26 million for the 4×2 LS MT and P1.33 million for the LS AT.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo
1 comment
Still the dirty diesel, euro-2. Mitsubishi Strada are now all Euro-IV both the mivec and 4D56 version. Isuzu is lagging in the Euro-IV upgrade.