All-New D-Max To Drive Isuzu's Sales

12th July 2007

Kuala Lumpur, Thursday. Isuzu Malaysia today introduced its 2007 all-new D-Max that is expected to raise the standard of pick-up trucks in the market.

The all-new Isuzu D-Max offers significant improvements in performance, comfort and fuel economy. The new refinements are expected to appeal to a market who wants the comfort of a passenger car as well as the versatility and durability of a pick-up truck.

Speaking at the launch, CEO of Isuzu Malaysia Kyoya Kondo said that the all-new D-Max is expected to also appeal to those who have not considered pick-up trucks before.

“The 2007 D-Max combines all the virtues of every Isuzu D-Max ever built which includes durability, reliability and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, we’ve made it more appealing to those who also demand the comfort, refinement and trappings of a passenger car,” he said.

At the top of the D-Max’s new feature list is the 3.0L Super Commonrail engine. It has an awesome output of 136ps @ 3,400rpm. And a fuel efficiency that is 19% better than its predecessor. It also offers an impressive low-end torque, which is excellent for both on-road and off-road handling.

The torque figures remain the same as in the previous model with a peak of 280Nm for the manual version and 294Nm for the automatic. The curve peaks at 1,200 rpm (manual) and 1,400rpm (auto) and remains flat all the way across the powerband to 3,400rpm (manual) and 3,000rpm (auto), giving drivers “instant” power on tap without having to downshift or wait tirelessly for the engine to come into zone.

Isuzu Malaysia expects to sell 1,500 units by the end of the year with an anticipated total sales volume of 2,800 units for the year.

“Our initial target of 2,400 units this year has been revised as a result of positive feedback from dealers and those who have viewed the vehicle. We are confident that the new model will attract a larger number of urban buyers who will be impressed with the all-new D-Max,” added Kondo.

Kondo further expects that the demand for the new car will secure the position of Isuzu as the No. 2 pick-up brand in Sabah and Sarawak with a market share of 24% and No. 3 in the overall Malaysian pick-up segment with a market share of 14%.

The all-new Isuzu D-Max features a host of improvements. The interior has a sophisticated appearance with new seat fabric, improved seat contours and a redesigned dashboard.   

In the 3.0L, the e-Lumax on the instrument panel provides excellent readability in all lighting conditions. The panel also features a trip computer to help drivers measure their driving performance with instant and average fuel consumption readings.

Externally, the new D-Max has a more contemporary outlook. The design is ruggedly handsome and refreshingly dynamic from all angles.

An apparent feature is the new front end of the D-Max. An integrated grille and bumper design add to the macho charisma.  Another stunning feature is the headlamps on the 3.0L. Utilizing an ellipsoidal projector system, it is designed for 14% more brightness compared to conventional multi-reflector lamps.

The new metallic colours available for the 2007 D-Max are Mercury Silver, Eclipse Blue and Gamma Gray which complement the existing Starry Black Mica and Angelic White.

The all-new Isuzu D-Max line-up will include the legendary 2.5L 4x2 Manual, a 3.0L 4x4 Manual and 3.0L 4x4 Auto. The price starts at RM69,119.10 on-the-road without insurance for the 2.5 version (Pen Mal)(RM70,994.10 in Sabah) (RM70,791.30 in Sarawak) while the metallic 3.0L i-TEQ Super Commonrail automatic version retails for RM94,078.10 on-the-road without insurance (Pen Mal) (RM94,780.70 in Sabah) (RM95,011.10 in Sarawak).