Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/800760
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 MARCH 2017 II Motoring & Boating The new Isuzu D-Max is here in Malta – it's a winner THE new and improved Isuzu D-Max is here. GazanZammit have just launched the face lifted Isuzu D-Max to the local market during a special event organised on Saturday 11 March at the Ta' Qali racing circuit. Stylistically, the 2017 D-Max is refreshed with its bigger, bolder front grille, redesigned headlights, new bumper bars and restyled alloy wheels and promises to be a quieter more refined version of the rugged, reliable workhorse we've known since 2008. We were itching to get on and off the road with the Isuzu D-Max to test out its durability, power and fuel ef- ficiency for ourselves. We were all for the lighter, quieter, and more economical D-Max. The car is complimented with Euro 6 emission standards, and delivers better fuel economy alongside lower exhaust emis- sions. The engine has been thoroughly overhauled with new design pistons, fuel injectors, fuel supply pump, turbocharger, diesel particulate diffuser (DPD) and more. To improve towing perfor- mance, the previous maximum torque is now available through a wider rev range (1700-3500rpm). The six-speed manual transmis- sion is also new and was designed in-house by Isuzu. The Isuzu manual is smooth through the shifts. Swapping from 2H to 4H involves a simple twist of a dial, and the D-Max really comes into its own when it's off the road and on gravel or sand. The 17-inch alloy wheels on the LS-M we were driving at the time were wrapped in all-terrain tyres and it felt con- fident and secure. As mentioned previously, hill- descent control is now standard right across the range and the op- portunity to test that came when we pulled into an old quarry site. Coming to a complete stop, and engaging the hill-descent system, even on a steep descent makes the car crawl down with control and ease. Inside A rear-view camera is now standard on all LS models, and is optional on the EX/SX. The cabin has been updated with a 7.0-inch touch screen in the LS-M, and an 8.0-inch touch screen in the LS-U and LS-T. Satellite navigation is also standard in the higher specs. That said, LS models also now have three USB ports scattered about the cabin, two in the front and one for rear seat passengers (only the one near the screen feeds info to the media system, the others are just for charging). Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, DVD, CD, MP3, radio and auxiliary jacks are also present and accounted for, as is single-zone climate control in higher-spec versions. Storage is well thought-out, with twin glove boxes, a deep centre console bin, cup holders on either side of the dash and another stor- age spot at the centre of the top of the dash with a bit of a flimsy lid. The floor is covered in easy- clean vinyl in lower models, while higher versions have carpet. "Isuzu's aim is to create the new standard for pickup trucks, whose basic function is to carry a maxi- mum load efficiently, economical- ly and reliably" said CEO of Isuzu Motors International Operations in Europe, Toru Makinouchi Footage & photos from the event can be found on www.isuzu.com. mt/dmaxlaunch