Last hurrah for current Isuzu D-Max

ISUZU Ute Australia (IUA) unveiled a special edition of its D-Max ute, offering extra equipment worth a claimed $8000 at a price mark up of just $2500 over the range-topping 4x4 double-cab D-Max LS-U on which it is based.

Just 300 of the D-Max LE III special edition utes will be offered from early September, priced at $45,000 (plus on road costs) – about $4500 cheaper than a similarly equipped LEII special edition offered last year.

The run of specially-equipped D-Maxes comes as IUA gets set to introduce an all-new model in the first half of 2012.

The LE III double-cab special is blinged up with bold stripes running down its length, a unique grille incorporating a chrome bonnet protector, chrome tail light lens guards and fog lamp bezels, sports side steps, model-specific 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome sports bar with high-mount brake light, a front bumper overrider and a rear tub liner to protect the cargo area.

The LE II eschews its workhorse status with luxurious perforated leather covered seats, embroidered carpet floor mats and a Kenwood touch screen head unit that incorporates satellite navigation, DVD player, audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and a screen for the reversing camera.

This extra gear adds to the already well specified D-Max LS-U that has air-conditioning, ABS brakes with EBD, dual airbags, power fold-in exterior mirrors with turn indicators, cruise control, projector headlights, remote entry, power windows, electro-luminescent instrument display, push-button four-wheel drive selector, rear LSD, lockable tailgate, chrome rear step bumper and a full-size alloy spare wheel.

The D-Max LE III is offered only in black mica or pearl white paint.

IUA sales and dealer development general manager Paul Vuko said the LE III would extend D-Max’s appeal beyond its established popularity among tradies, farmers, caravaners and fleets to a younger, more urbane set of drivers.

Much of the appeal of D-Max stems from its gutsy yet economical 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine. This is the only engine offered by IUA and it delivers 120kW of power at 3600rpm and 360Nm from 1800 to 2800rpm when backed by the five-speed manual gearbox or 333Nm from 1600rpm to 3200rpm when optioned with the four-speed automatic transmission.

In double-cab 4x4 trim as in the LE III, the Euro-4 compliant four-cylinder engine returns a claimed 8.4L/100km (manual) or 9.0L/100km (auto).

The LE III has a hefty 3000kg towing capacity, as do all 4x4 D-Maxes, which makes them particularly attractive to those towing large caravans or double horse floats. The full one-tonne payload rating is also high for a double-cab ute.

Only 180 LE IIs were offered in 2010, but with this latest iteration set to take the model through to the New Year and new model, IUA has upped the number to 300 units.