- UK special edition Blade model features style and comfort enhancements
- Represents a £1,000 saving on accessories and equipment
- Isuzu D-Max Blade on sale across the UK in April
Isuzu UK has enhanced the rugged appeal of its award-winning pick-up range with the addition of a special edition, exclusive-to-the-UK model, the Isuzu D-Max Blade. With the new Blade, Isuzu hopes to attract new customers to the Brand including those who may not have considered a pick-up vehicle previously.
The new special edition, which goes on sale in April, boasts a long list of unique style enhancements and technology upgrades certain to help the vehicle stand out from the crowd. Based off a premium model from the D-Max range, the new Blade special edition features more than £5,000 worth of additional equipment and yet is available from just £24,995 (CVOTR), representing a saving of £1,000 if the accessories were bought separately.
Prices for the new model are £24,995 (CVOTR) for the six-speed manual or £25,995 (CVOTR) for the five-speed auto, which compares favourably with similarly specced special edition models from Isuzu’s nearest rivals.
The head-turning style of the D-Max Blade starts with the bold 18-inch, six-spoke ‘Shadow’ alloy wheels shod with 255/60 R18 Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres. The exterior upgrades continue with a ‘Shadow’ grey front grille, privacy glass windows, black door and tailgate handles, black roof bars and rear bumper, and heavy-duty side steps. Each exterior addition creates a striking contrast to the two available body colours, solid ‘Splash White’ or mica ‘Cosmic Black’.
The Isuzu D-Max Blade also comes standard with an under-rail bed liner for added practicality while customers can then choose between an Aeroklas hard top complete with internal light or a Mountain Top Black Roller Top Cover which is unique to the Blade and cannot be purchased as a separate accessory. Whichever option customers choose, the tops come supplied and fitted within the on the road price.
The high-value additions to the five-seat pick-up continue inside. Automatic climate control and premium black leather seats – which have been factory upgraded for 2014 and are heated in the front – will cosset Blade occupants. Customers of the new Blade will also benefit from DAB digital radio via a state-of-the-art Pioneer AVIC-F950 6.1-inch touchscreen navigation system, complete with integrated rear safety camera. The Pioneer system offers an enhanced audio experience and convenience over the already class leading ‘surround’ system found in Yukon and Utah models.
The Isuzu D-Max Blade is matched to the powerful-yet-efficient 2.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, producing 163 PS and 400 Nm of torque, while still returning a segment best fuel economy of 38.2 mpg (combined). The running gear has also been carried over by Isuzu, meaning customers benefit from a towing capacity of 3.5-tonnes and 1-tonne payload.
William Brown, General Manager at Isuzu UK, said: “The new Isuzu D-Max Blade is a high-value, high-quality proposition that we hope will widen the appeal of the D-Max further and take us into new market segments. It’s been designed to appeal to urban tradespeople as well as recreational lifestyle users looking for a pick-up that stands out from the crowd. The Blade meets the growing demand for a stylish pick-up that doubles up as an everyday workhorse for those who need it.”
Isuzu UK enjoyed its best-ever sales in the UK in 2013 and continues to be the biggest market in Europe for the Japanese Brand by a considerable margin. Isuzu has ambitious growth plans in the UK, and the new Blade forms an important part of its push into new business areas. In addition to product developments, Isuzu is aiming to strengthen its 100 dealer strong network throughout 2014 with new dealer appointments in key areas.
Like all new Isuzu models sold in the UK, the D-Max Blade comes with the company’s pioneering five-year / 125,000 mile warranty.
ISUZU EXTENDS D-MAX MODEL RANGE
- D-Max Yukon premium spec now available with extended cab
- Prices start at £19,249 (CVOTR)
- New model addition launched as Isuzu UK announces a record June
Isuzu UK has added another model variant to its award winning D-Max pick-up range. For the first time, the popular extended cab version is now available in the premium Yukon trim, to provide a pick-up which is both adaptable and luxurious at the same time.
The extended cab configuration features standard front seats, behind which is a large load area incorporating a fold-down rear bench for occasional use.
The new Yukon specification extended cab – priced from £19,249 (CVOTR) – is ideal for trade and leisure users who prefer the added exterior capacity of a longer rear load bed, require only occasional rear seating, and who still want the interior refinement and equipment available with the Yukon’s specification.
The new variant, available from October 2014, has been introduced in direct response to customer and dealer network feedback and is expected to help sustain the Isuzu D-Max’s impressive sales growth. This useful addition to an already extensive model range comes as Isuzu UK announces record June sales, up 85% on the same month in 2013. Sales are up 25% for the year against 2013, itself a record year for the brand in the UK.
Yukon specification models feature a host of standard equipment, including cruise control, air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome grille and rear bumper, heavy-duty side steps, six-speaker surround-sound audio system with roof-mounted ‘Exciter’ speaker, as well as high-visibility projector headlamps and LED rear light clusters.
Powered by a highly fuel-efficient, 2.5-litre twin-turbo common-rail diesel engine, the Isuzu D-Max Yukon generates 163 PS and peak torque output of 400 Nm from 1,400 rpm, and is available with six-speed manual transmission.
The Yukon extended-cab boasts excellent fuel economy of 38.7 mpg (combined) as well as being a supremely capable towing vehicle, certified to tow 3.5-tonnes (braked) / 750 kg (unbraked).
“Since its launch in June 2012, the D-Max has stood for rugged build quality and outstanding on and off-road performance. The new Yukon extended cab further enhances its appeal,” says William Brown, General Manager at Isuzu UK. “We hope this latest addition to what is already one of the most comprehensive line-ups in the sector will allow us to better meet the varied needs of pick-up users.”
Like all models in the D-Max range, the Yukon comes with Isuzu’s five-year / 125,000-mile warranty. Running costs are kept down by 12,000 miles or 24-month service intervals, three years recovery and assistance cover, a three-year paint warranty, and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.
CONVERSION KITS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ISUZU D-MAX PICK-UP
- Bespoke vehicle fittings allows greater personalisation for business users
- Conversions include Fire and Rescue model and elevating working platform
Businesses looking to adapt their Isuzu D-Max pick-ups can now access conversion kits through the brand’s expanded fleet offering. To illustrate the types of conversion available, two newly-converted D-Max pick-ups will premiere at the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show (29 April – 3 May), demonstrating the potential for individual businesses to personalise the pick-up to meet their specific needs.
William Brown, General Manager, commented: “Vehicle conversions are more popular than ever before as businesses and public-sector organisations increasingly require task-specific vehicles that better fit their working environment and needs.
“The Isuzu D-Max is the perfect base vehicle for many of the most demanding conversions, as its rugged chassis and class-leading towing capacity means it can accommodate a variety of specialist adaptations. We will introduce a number of further conversion options to meet an even broader range of business customers.”
Isuzu D-Max Brigade Response Vehicle
The Isuzu D-Max Brigade Response Vehicle (BRV), converted by Pickup Systems, is developed to complement the fleet of vehicles already operated by Fire and Rescue services across the UK. The flexible platform, four-occupant cabin and high-capacity water tanks mean the Isuzu D-Max BRV is capable of dealing with up to 90 per cent of all 999 calls requiring the fire or rescue services.
Based on the robust underpinnings of the D-Max 4×4 double cab, the Isuzu D-Max BRV is a first-response vehicle that is especially useful for rural environments thanks to its four-wheel drive system and generous ground clearance.
To extinguish fires, the Isuzu D-Max BRV is fitted with a Hale HPX 75 B18 single-stage pump (3.5 Bar) with bespoke rear-mounted control panel, a 55-metre 19-millimetre hosepipe, complete with electric wind-back reel, and a water tank capable of holding up to 310 litres. The pump and tanks are regulated by a concealed, rear-mounted control panel which monitors flow rate, water tank levels, choke and oil pressure.
The D-Max has been modified to include fully integrated foam tanks, and side and rear lockers with lockable roller shutter doors, complete with strip lighting, for the storage of tools and emergency equipment.
A high-intensity LED spot lamp helps illuminate emergency scenes in low light, while emergency response lighting – including LED blue repeaters – is mounted on the front and rear bumpers, off- and near-side fenders and on the roof.
In the cabin, the BRV is equipped with additional LED lighting as well as fascia-mounted multifunction controller for external lighting, siren and public announcement system.
The BRV is finished in silver, or in a reflective chequered design (red and yellow), with side strips, lettering and chevrons.
Isuzu D-Max cherry-picker
The Isuzu D-Max mobile elevating working platform (MEWP) – also known as a ‘cherry-picker’ – converted by Cumberland Platforms UK, is a work platform attached to a telescopic boom developed specifically for the utility and arborist industries.
The boom can rotate 360 degrees and has an enhanced basket capacity of 225 kilograms – equivalent to approximately two workers and their equipment – for extra flexibility. The telescopic boom can reach a working height of 13.2 metres, with an outreach of 6.5 metres. The basket, available in aluminium or re-enforced plastic, measures 610 mm x 1067 mm x 1220 mm.
To ensure operators’ safety, the Isuzu D-Max MEWP is fitted with four A-frame hydraulic stabilisers, a chassis-fitted spirit level and self-levelling basket to provide a steady base from which to work. The pipes and cables to operate the basket are encased within the telescopic boom to protect against damage, while a manual emergency descent pump offers contingency should the system fail.
As well as basket-mounted hydraulic controls, a telescopic boom ground control means the basket can also be controlled at ground level. The Isuzu D-Max MEWP is based on a single cab 4×4, utilising the additional load bed space and capacity.