Walkinshaw gives his views on Isuzu D-Max has been spotted in Melbourne, previewing the upgrades we can expect to see on this powerful dual-cab pickup.
The so called Isuzu D-Max Blade is the first collaboration between the Japanese brand and the Australian performance improvement specialist.
This won’t be Walkinshaw’s first attempt at creating an even more rugged double-cab vehicle, having recently launched a limited edition Ford Rangerand previously rebadged the Holden Colorado to produce the HSV SportsCat from 2018 to 2020.
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The new D-Max Blade is likely to be Isuzu’s flagship pickup truck, focused on off-road performance.
Its has long been rumored that Isuzu will launch a tougher-looking version of the D-Max pickup truck, with apply for government approval from July detailing Blade’s modifications.
The profile notes a 26.5mm increase in ride height at the front and 29mm at the rear thanks to larger wheels and different springs, along with spoilers, high-mounted brake lights, wheel arch cladding and exhaust protection.
Axle ratings and gross vehicle mass (GVM) remain unchanged, suggesting the Blade will be on par with the Mazda BT-50 Thunder as the main competitor.
The Thunder gets a tougher look but retains its performance, with a steel front bumper, fender flares and sports bar being key additions.
Like the Mazda, the D-Max Blade will come with a full warranty and is covered by Isuzu for six years.
Despite the cosmetic changes, the Blade is likely to retain the D-Max’s 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.
These spy shots depict what appears to be a production-ready model with camouflage. At this stage, there is no confirmation of a specific launch date.
Walkinshaw has collaborated with many other international manufacturers to produce a solid pickup truck in the past.
The Australian brand has previously partnered with Mitsubishi to produce Triton Ultimateas well as Volkswagen for many generations before Amarok W series models and some others.
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