One of the country’s hottest selling pick-up variants just got better with the recent launching of an upgraded version of the Isuzu D-Max.
In a lavish ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriot Hotel in Pasay City, Isuzu Philippine Corporation put its best foot forward and introduced the new D-Max brand ambassador, actor and model Derek Ramsay. “Like the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX, Mr. Derek Ramsay is tough, and appears capable of handling anything that life may throw at him. We at Isuzu Philippines Corporation are extremely proud to have him as part of our family,” said IPC President Hajime Koso.
Similar to its celebrity endorser, “strong,” “emotional” and “sporty” are also the defining traits of the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX. Its dynamic and flowing exterior styling is characterized by a much bolder front end, made possible by a new muscular hood and a complexly redesigned radiator grille that both harmonize with the contours of the fascia. Highlighting the powerful styling are the redesigned projector headlamps, which have been modernized and made more sophisticated through the addition of LED Daytime Running Lamps and the updated fog lamps, which raise the vehicle’s level of safety and appearance.
The pick-up’s rear end also got a new tailgate design that incorporates a spoiler shape design which aids the vehicle’s aerodynamics and styling. To compliment the rugged and tough exterior, Isuzu equipped the 2017 D-Max with larger 18-inch alloy wheels that are fitted with 255/60 R18 tires. The upgraded wheel-and-tire package is suited for both on and off-road use and benefits the vehicle’s traction and driving dynamics because of the bigger contact patch, as well as its water-wading and obstacle-clearing capabilities.
Aside from a redesigned interior which boasts of electroluminescent instrument meter clusters, 7-inch colored multi-information display center console and push start/stop feature, the biggest news is what’s lurking underneath the hood of this metal behemoth.
Under the sculpted hood of the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX LS is still Isuzu’s proven 4JJI-TC (HI) diesel engine. Equipped with a Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger and intercooler, this inline four-cylinder, 3.0-liter, Common Rail Direct Injection engine produces maximum power of 163 PS @ 3,200 rpm and 380 Nm of torque @ 1,800 – 2,200 rpm. This durable, powerful and fuel-efficient engine can be matched to either a 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift, or a 5-speed manual transmission.
Also available on the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX LS is a shift-on-the fly 4WD system that can be engaged at speeds of up to 100km/h mby simply twisting a knob on the console; plus new driver-assist packages that includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Start Assist (HSA). All these systems guarantee the vehicle’s safety on every type of terrain.
The 2017 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L LS is available in Venetian Red, Cosmic Black, Titanium Silver, Splash White and new Obsidian Gray paint colors. It comes with a three-year/100,000-kilometer warranty (whichever comes first). Prices are pegged at P1,520,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4×4 A/T; P1,450,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4×4 M/T; P1,210,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4×2 A/T; and P1,140,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4×2 M/T.