[parrys]

Mod Note: Team-BHP's Isuzu D-Max Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the review thread.

Isuzu has launched the D-Max range of pick-up trucks in India at a price starting from Rs. 5.99 lakh (Ex-showroom Mumbai).



High Points:

• 3 variants available: Single cab flat deck @ Rs. 5.99 lakh, Space cab flat deck @ Rs. 6.19 lakh & Space cab arched deck @ Rs. 7.09 lakh.
• Space cab version has 1.5 feet of space behind the driver seats.
• Powered by a 2.5L 4 cylinder CRDi diesel engine producing 134 BHP @ 3600 RPM & 294 Nm @ 1800-3200 RPM, mated to a 5 speed gearbox.
• Kerb weight of 1650 kg & payload capacity of 1200 kg. Max gradeability of 27%. 195mm of ground clearance.
• Long feature list by CV standards: Tilt adjustable power steering, power windows, AC, day-night rear view mirror, chrome finish on ORVMs, dead pedal, green tinted glass, slide + reclining front seats, remote fuel lid opener etc.
• Available in 3 colours: White, blue & silver.
• 3 year / 1 lakh kms warranty.
• Isuzu Motors India Private Limited was established in August 2012.
• Currently it manufactures vehicles via a contact manufacturing agreement with Hindustan Motors. Under this agreement, HML assembles CKD kits of the MU-7 SUV & D-Max pick-up truck @ Chennai.
• Isuzu has acquired 107 acres of land in 2013 @ SriCity, Tada, Chitoor, AP. This facility will start operations by early 2016 with initial production capacity of 50,000 units / year. This capacity will be scaled up to 1,20,000 units / year with accumulated investment of Rs. 3,000 crore. Also, generate 2,000-3,000 job opportunities.
• Isuzu aims to achieve 100% localisation within 3 years post the production in 2016.
• Isuzu aims at opening 60 outlets by the end of 2015-16.
• Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan; Isuzu has operations in 25 countries with vehicles sold in more than 100 counties worldwide.
• Isuzu manufactures and sells ~6 lakh units annually across the world.

The D-Max space cab in silver, looks far superior to fall into the commercial segment:


This is the arched deck version:


No black / plastic cladding, almost everything is body coloured:


Chrome lever to drop-open the cargo bed:


Massive front grille in chrome, reflector strips are typical of CV segment:


What the space cab version is, a 1.5 feet extension behind the driver seats:


215/70/R15 tubeless radials:


Badging on the sides:


No nonsense tail lamp:


A look at the arched deck:


How it drops open:


The lever that holds the tail gate:


A look at the interiors:


All black / grey interiors. Big steering wheel:


AC controls and a typical off-set gear lever:


Storage spots around the handbrake:


Seats are of medium compound:


One touch down for the drivers power window. Central locking available:


Decent room behind the front seats in the space cab version:


2 additional cup holders:


Butterfly windows on the space cab:


Provision for rear speakers & a cubby hole below:


Remote release for the fuel lid:


Deal pedal provided:


Cabin lamp on the roof, grab rails and a coat hook too. Driver + passenger sun visors:

[parrys]

The D-Max (non space cab) flat bed in white:


The non space cab version doesn't get body coloured bumpers & the chrome grille:


Looks much more like a CV in the flat bed guise:


Stripped down; no body coloured door handle, no chrome finish on ORVM:


Notice the spare wheel mounted below:


Close look at the flat bed:


It's not the typical Tata Sumo tail lamp:


The 195mm GC:


Space between the body & chassis:


The 2.5L diesel engine putting out 134 BHP:


Functional hood scoop for the intercooler:


How the hood scoop looks from under the bonnet:


Isuzu badge on the front grille:


A look at the interiors:


Slightly different steering from the space cab version. Even the gear stick is now exposed, no floor console:


A look at the instrument cluster, engine tachometer on the space cab version:


The gear stick, felt solid when I held it:


Centre console. Do note that the audio system is not available, only 2 speakers with audio pre-wiring is provided:


Rexine seat covers on the lower variant. Space cab has fabric seats:


Manual windows:


Storage spots around the handbrake:


Moderately accommodating glovebox:

[Aditya]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Commercial Vehicles in India. Thanks for sharing!

[djoel99]

That is top mounted intercooler and not air filter.

Just like scorpio.

[Faramir]

It looks refined and can be a urban commute, if they add a covered version with pricing in the range of 7.5-9L.

[one-77]

The exteriors of the space-cab do look nice. And less than 6 lacs for a 2.5L CRDi diesel engine producing 134 BHP/ 294 Nm.

That is some serious power to the aam admi!

On the flipside, the havoc these guys will cause on our roads is a scary thought. An ancient Tata pickup once overtook me on the highway when I was maintaining a steady 90 (the legal limit). Even the diesel auto-trucks (don't know what they're actually called) and are driven at breakneck speeds here.

Will this kick-start the sports-truck segment in India?
I've seen a couple of people in my town use Tata Xenons for personal use. Maybe the league will grow?

[Contrapunto]

Tata Xenon is double cab, safer ( ABS etc) and has limited slip-diff to boot. The Isuzu felt lower (at least visually) and more usable in the city, if only it could be jazzed up a bit and has some safety gear and accessories. The Isuzu engines are legendary, and can easily take over the "lifestyle pick-up truck" segment. I wish Isuzu management shows some boldness- the market is theirs for the taking.

I would not mind paying 9-10 for a nicely specced version.

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by one-77

The exteriors of the space-cab do look nice. And less than 6 lacs for a 2.5L CRDi diesel engine producing 134 BHP/ 294 Nm.

That is some serious power to the aam admi!

On the flipside, the havoc these guys will cause on our roads is a scary thought. An ancient Tata pickup once overtook me on the highway when I was maintaining a steady 90 (the legal limit). Even the diesel auto-trucks (don't know what they're actually called) and are driven at breakneck speeds here.

Will this kick-start the sports-truck segment in India?
I've seen a couple of people in my town use Tata Xenons for personal use. Maybe the league will grow?

Exactly,this is the first thought that came to my mind.
The drivers of these vehicles go crazy on road in their 58/63 bhp Bolero Pick ups.
Cant imagine the havoc they can create with 135 horses under their right foot.

That said,i would have loved if they had launched a twin cab 4x4 version.

[jassi_jeeper]

I am a fan already! Some super serious competition to the xenon! This is so beautiful, and coupled with the Isuzu engine it's a deadly combination. Man, I just can't see anything beyond jeeps and pickups!

[wanderernomad]

I think the dual cab version shall be launched. There is another thread out here which showcases these Dmax and there is a picture of a dual cab version there. Sure looks promising but I think they will only get registered as CV so that means no white plates for a lifestyle product.

[sandeepmohan]

Wow. This looks like a quality product inside and out. Nice way to restart your innings Isuzu.

The top spec version will work even as a personal pick up truck/recreational vehicle. From the pictures, the Izuzu looks like a far better turned out product compared to its competitors.

As some have highlighted, 134bhp sounds like a lot though. This thing gets really close to the power output of an XUV. Should be a riot.

[//M]

ACI has mentioned in their review that the Space Cab can only be registered as a CV so one needs to have a CV driving license in order to own one of these.

The biggest problem, by far, is that the D-Max must be registered as a commercial vehicle, and therefore you need a CV license to drive it. It's a smart looking truck with a solid engine and great build quality, and given its strong reputation overseas, it's bound to handle utility duties well too. At Rs 7.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) this arched cab version also undercuts its main rivals, the Mahindra Scorpio Getaway and Tata Xenon XT by a significant margin. But while it might be a hit with goods carriers, having to get an all-new license just to drive one is a big deterrent for private buyers.

Source : http://bit.ly/QGXiyw

[nishsingh]

This pickup is beautiful! Pretty tempted to take up farming as a side-hobby so that I can begin to build up a case for its purchase to the missus.

[rohanjf]

Now I am hoping that lifestyle pickup truck segment picks up in India. Truck is powerful enough for personal use. It doesn't look like any safety features are offered in the space cab version though.

Parrys, does the space cab version offer music system? It's been mentioned that entry-level variant doesn't. The music system looks out of place anyway.

[Soumyajit9]

Is it me or does anyone else think that the rear deck or the pickup is very low in height or depth ?
If compared to a Mahindra Bolero Pick Up or any of its counterparts, they all have a more deep rear deck, IIRC.
Is the rear deck mandatory factory fitted, or one can buy only the pickup and later customize the rear ?