Through collaboration with off-road specialist Arctic Trucks, Isuzu is able to offer the most extreme pickup on general sale in the UK. We put the mean-looking D-Max AT35 to the test on the 2016 snow-laden fire roads in Cumbria’s Grizedale Forest.
Building and adapting 4×4 vehicles for over 25 years, Arctic Trucks is one of the world’s leading experts when it comes to off-road vehicles. This is the first time UK customers have been able to purchase an Arctic Trucks pickup through an authorised dealership.
Upgraded to the Arctic Class
One of the most obvious alterations is the ride height. Arctic Trucks has raised the body by 30mm and the suspension by 20mm which, combined with the big tyres, results in a 125mm lift in the chassis height. This increases the ground clearance to 318mm, wading depth to 650mm and the approach and departure angles to 36 and 28 degrees respectively.
Fox Performance Series shocks have also been fitted all-round, which help deliver increased mobility over even the most rutted tracks and brutal boulders.
The Isuzu D-Max AT35 sports all-terrain Nokian Rotiiva AT tyres, which help to create that ‘butch’ look and provide excellent grip in the most challenging and slippery of situations, the manufacturer claims. The extended wheel flares are not only designed for housing the 35- inch tyres they give the Isuzu D-Max AT35 a powerful look making it stand out from the crowd.
Optional upgrades include the sports bar for a heavier-duty offroad look and the Arctic Trucks Truxedo that provides added security for cargo in the load bed.
Furthermore, off-road extras such as a 27-LED work light can provide widespread illumination under darkness, skid plates provide enhanced under-body protection, and an ARB tyre inflator with an inline gauge help the most adventurous continue on their way.
Business as Usual Elsewhere
The only modifications have been to the exterior body to improve off-road performance and aesthetics therefore, in terms of the cab, driveline and the load area, it’s business as usual for the D-Max.
Aside from the extra effort required to lift yourself into the cab, there are no changes to the interior. The cab is spacious and there’s great visibility, thanks to a low-lying dashboard, and there are plenty of useful storage spaces including a large, lidded central cubby.
Based on the Yukon model, there is a lot of spec included as standard like air conditioning, rear parking sensors, steering-mounted controls, cruise control, leather seats (heated in the front) and a CD player with auxiliary, USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
The load area is short but wide; measuring 1,485mm but 1,570mm respectively. There have been no alternations under the bonnet, either. Isuzu’s famed 2.5-litre unit provides the power; producing up to 161bhp at 3,600rpm and 400Nm at 1,400-2,000rpm.
How It Performed
On the drive up the M6 to Cumbria, one problem was immediately obvious. The combination of the increased rolling resistance associated with the wide tyres and poor aerodynamics associated with the higher chassis had a negative effect on the fuel economy. The veteran 2.5-litre engine averaged 30.8mpg at 70mph, which is down from the 34/35mpg that we usually get out of the standard D-Max.
Once we reached the Lake’s famous winding, narrow-track roads, the fuel economy looked more promising and the noise generated by the high air resistance started to subside. Despite the raised suspension, the AT35 composes itself very well into the bends.
Some of the D-Max’s charms start to show on these roads, like the elevated ride position which allows you to see beyond the elderly couple in front that has been holding you up for the past four miles for potential overtaking spots.
Onto the fire roads, the D-Max AT comes into a world of its own. The electronically-selectable four-wheel-drive system has three settings (2Hi, 4Hi and 4Low) and is shift-on-the-fly so transfers can be made on the move. Like most manufacturers nowadays, Isuzu has replaced the locking differential with a traction control system.
On the night before our January road test, a couple of inches of snow had fallen but you would never have guessed. The combination of an excellent traction control system, four-wheel drive and the Rotiiva AT tyres meant that the D-Max AT35 was as surefooted as a mountain goat on the slippery terrain.
The re-engineered suspension cushions the ride without depriving you of that essential ‘feel’ for whatever you are driving over and hill descent is controlled by automatic engine braking.
The D-Max finally met its match on an ice-covered 50% ascent. Four-wheel low had to be engaged and with the occasional kick of traction control, the two-tonne machine was able to climb the steep incline.
Pricing and Availability
All models are only available through select Isuzu dealerships and come with Isuzu’s five-year manufacturer warranty. Prices start from £30,995 plus VAT for extended-cab models with double-cabs at £33,495 (the five-speed automatic is a £1,000 premium).
This represents an £8,000 lift over the price of the current flagship model, the Blade, so it’s a very pricey upgrade. These modifications could be retrofitted a lot cheaper, although this may invalidate the warranty and affect the residual values.
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