Isuzu in D-Max farm-out

ISUZU Ute Australia has released a limited-edition version of its popular Thai-built the D-Max one-tonner dubbed the Farm Mate, offering ABN-holding 4x4 utility buyers about $5000 worth of free workhorse accessories.

Unlike last September’s luxurious ‘Limited Edition II’ crew-cab, the D-Max Farm Mate is available in three-seater EX single cab/chassis and four-seater SX space cab/chassis body styles, priced at $33,990 and $39,490 drive-away respectively.

Limited to a total of less than 100 examples, both Farm Mate models come with a fully galvanized steel dropside tray, satin-black powder-coated steel bull bar, tow bar kit and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity.

“Many farmers in various regions across the country have had hard times of late with the extremes of weather,” said IUA managing director Hitoshi Kono. “If they are looking to update their farm ute, then these Farm Mate special value D-Max models will help make that purchase considerably more affordable.

“Farm Mates come equipped with the practical accessories that primary producers typically need in such a general purpose farm ute and they are offered at drive-away prices which will save them thousands.”The Farm Mate’s steel tray comprises a chequer-plate floor, tubular headboard and stirrups, tail-light guards and rear cab window mesh guard, while the tow kit comes with square-section removable tongue, tow ball, D-shackles and wiring to a seven-pin flat plug.

Both Farm Mates also come standard with air-conditioning, rear LSD, twin front airbags, outboard front seatbelt pretensioners and CD/FM/AM MP3 audio, while the space-cab Farm Mate adds ABS brakes with EBD, power windows, remote central locking, cruise control, front bucket seats, centre floor console, rear window demister and door protection strips.

Like all D-Max models, both Farm Mates are powered by a 360Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel that also does duty in Isuzu’s two-tonne trucks. Despite offering the same 3000kg towing capacity, 225mm ground clearance, dual-range transmission and steel sump and transfer case guards as other D-Max 4x4s, both also return (space-cab) class-leading fuel consumption of 8.1L/100km.

Space-cab models add twin rear ‘jump’ seats with multiple folding modes, three-point seatbelts, cup-holders, segmented small tool storage boxes and rear opening side windows, while IUA continues to point out the D-Max features class-leading (cab/chassis) wheelbase and (single-cab) tray dimensions.

In 2010 the D-Max, which received a significant facelift in May and will soon be replaced by a new-generation model, attracted more than 5100 buyers in Australia – a sales increase of 7.3 per cent (4x2) and 57.7 per cent (4x4) in its second year on sale in Australia alongside its mechanical twin, Holden’s Colorado.