By Jessica Palmer,
October 29, 2024
Isuzu’s latest release, the D-MAX BLADE, has plenty to offer those looking for a rugged, off-road ute that doesn’t skimp on comfort. Developed in partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive, the D-MAX BLADE is engineered for Australia’s toughest terrains, packing in local enhancements and smart tech to make it a standout in the ute market.
Built for the bush
After three years of development and more than 100,000 km of testing across Melbourne and the Outback, the D-MAX BLADE has been put through the wringer to make sure it handles whatever Australia throws at it. Isuzu teamed up with Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) to give this ute a locally tuned suspension, underbody protection, and a bold design overhaul, ensuring it’s ready for off-road adventures.
“Before we even kicked this project off, we spent months speaking with local engineering outfits to determine how to best bring the BLADE to life. In the end, we chose to partner with Walkinshaw due to their unrivalled local LCV experience and local engineering and design talent pool—with the finished product speaking for itself,” said Mr. Junta Matsui, Managing Director of Isuzu UTE Australia.
Towing power you can count on
When it comes to towing, the D-MAX BLADE delivers. Featuring Isuzu’s 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine pushing out 140kW and 450Nm of torque, this ute maintains the brand’s signature 3.5-tonne towing capacity. With an 896 kg payload, it’s built to get the job done.
Designed for adventure
One of the standout features of the BLADE is its 29 mm lift, fitted with 35mm MTV twin-tube suspension, giving it better ground clearance and improved off-road handling. Walkinshaw tested over 30 different damper tunes before settling on the final setup, ensuring a ride that can handle everything from corrugated roads to steep tracks. Plus, with 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres on 17×8.5-inch satin black alloys, the BLADE is ready to tackle the rough stuff straight from the showroom.
Walkinshaw’s Chief Engineer, Trevor Barallon, shared, “It was an ever-evolving circle of conceptualise, prototype, validate, develop countermeasures and test again… We’re lucky that Isuzu developed a strong core vehicle to work with, making our job less challenging with minimal countermeasures required.”
Built to get you home
We all know there’s nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere. That’s why the D-MAX BLADE comes with upgraded underbody protection, doubling the standard bash plate thickness to 3.0 mm steel. For off-road recovery, the ute also features an 8-tonne load-rated recovery point system with cross-bracing, making it the only ute on the market with this level of robust engineering. It’s all about making sure you can venture further off the beaten path and still make it back without a hitch.
Sleek, aggressive design
The D-MAX BLADE isn’t just built tough; it looks the part too. With a striking satin black front grille, wheel arch flares, and satin black accents replacing the standard chrome, this ute looks like it means business. In addition, integrated into the front grille is a curved 112-watt lightbar as standard.
“The BLADE makes an absolute statement… It looks a part of the Isuzu range,” said Julian Quincey, Chief Designer at Walkinshaw Automotive Group.
Expertly tuned for Australian conditions
From the Flinders Ranges to the Gibb River Road, the D-MAX BLADE has been tested on some of the toughest tracks in the country. The Rough Terrain Mode off-road traction control, first introduced in the 24MY D-MAX facelift, works seamlessly with the new components to deliver a stable, controlled drive over challenging surfaces.
Highlights
- 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine
- 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity
- 896kg payload
- Isuzu’s Intelligent Driver Assistance System (ISAS)
- Six-speed auto transmission with 4×4 Terrain Command
- Rear diff lock and rough terrain mode
- 244mm ground clearance
- 29.2° approach, 19.2° departure and 25.2° breakover angles
- 800mm wading depth
- BLADE-exclusive lifted suspension
- BLADE-exclusive 3mm blash plates
- BLADE-exclusive 8-tonne load-rated recovery points
- BLADE-exclusive satin black 17×8.5-inch alloys with 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT A/T tyres
- Tinted lens lightbar in the front grille
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- 9-inch infotainment touchscreen + 7-inch multi-information display
- 3 x USB-C port, 1 x USB-A port
- Reversing camera
- Tub liner
- Available in Moonstone White pearl, Basalt Black mica, Granite Grey mics or Sunstone Orange mica.
Ready for order
The Isuzu D-MAX BLADE will be available to order from local dealers starting November 1st, 2024, with an introductory price of $76,990 drive away, including premium paint. You can choose from four premium paint finishes: Moonstone White Pearl, Basalt Black Mica, Granite Grey Mica, and Sunstone Orange Mica.
For those who tow, this ute’s got everything you need—power, comfort, and durability. With Isuzu’s proven engineering and Walkinshaw’s local expertise, the D-MAX BLADE is set to be a top pick for adventurers, tradies, and families looking for a versatile, off-road-ready ute.
So, if you’re planning your next big trip, or just want to know more about this capable new addition to the D-MAX lineup, head over to your local Isuzu dealer from November.
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