Isuzu Philippines launches next-gen D-Max with DNA that improves on Chevrolet and Ford rivals and upgrades Mazda counterpart

Isuzu Philippines has just launched the next-generation D-Max and this new model’s lineage covers so much ground against rival brands that it’s been top of mind here since the global launch out of Thailand back in October 2019. The new model improves on the second generation D-Max which has underpinnings shared with GM’s Chevrolet Colorado that’s the platform for the US Army’s new Infantry Squad Vehicle, and represents an upgrade to the Mazda BT-50 which was previously based closely (same chassis and engine options) on the current generation (T6) Ford Ranger.  

For this third iteration of their popular mid-size pickup truck, Isuzu discontinued an engineering partnership with Chevrolet that’s been in place since the 1970’s for developing three generations of Isuzu Faster models and the two Isuzu D-Max generations that succeeded these. The platform of the previous generation D-Max and current generation Chevrolet Colorado will likely be forked off and continued since it now serves as foundation to the winning prototype for the US Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle, initial volumes for which were delivered in October 2020 (a year after the third generation D-Max was launched globally).

Influencing D-Max development now is new ally Mazda. In July 2016, three years into the D-Max’s six-year development period, Isuzu was appointed as OEM of Mazda’s next generation BT-50 pickup truck.  Similar to Isuzu’s linkage with Chevrolet, Mazda had been relying on Ford Ranger foundations since the 1990’s for their final generation B2500 pickup and two generations of the BT-50 model that succeeded this.  Now, based closely on the latest generation D-Max complete with its trademark Isuzu 3.0 and 1.9 liter turbodiesel engine options, the third generation Mazda BT-50 was launched globally in June 2020, just a few months after its counterpart Isuzu model. Isuzu Philippines President Hajime Koso confirms that Isuzu Thailand runs assembly lines for supplying this market with D-Max trucks and other markets with the new Mazda BT-50 model.  (Mazda Philippines which recently introduced their BT-50 limited edition Pangolin variant still has the Ford-based second-generation model on offer.)

Key specs

On the new D-Max that Isuzu asserts to be stronger and safer, we noted the following integral features (characteristics that come with the package and cannot be straightforwardly acquired or added on with aftermarket enhancements):

1. The new 4JJ3-TCX top-spec 3.0 liter engine option delivers 190PS @ 3600rpm (a 17PS increase in power) and 450NM @ 1600~2600rpm (a 70NM increase in torque that breaks through the 400NM threshold), all these reportedly by improving on the previous generation’s 4JJ1-TCX with …
   
   • a new cylinder head
   • a new cylinder block
   • new pistons
   • a new Denso-sourced fuel injection system delivering 25 percent more pressure and 20 percent more efficiency

2. Improved balance and handling with a slightly longer wheelbase as well as the engine being moved back and mounted with its center slightly behind the front axle, in front mid-ship position

3. Rationalized engine and fuselage layouts that result in a slightly shorter overall length (5.277m versus 5.295m before) that nevertheless bounds what is essentially a larger model with its lengthened wheelbase (3.125m versus 3.095m before) and cargo bay (1.570m versus 1.485m before)

4. Stronger, bigger-boned proportions that put taller shoulders on its full body length, and stiffer shortened pillars and a squat squinty windscreen cage on its reinforced cabin

5. A ladder frame with expanded cross-section and improved placement of cross-members, as asserted by Isuzu, that make it lighter but also 23 percent stiffer than before

6. Fuselage and undercarriage engineering that increase the D-Max’s ground clearance (0.240m on top-spec 4×4 variants) and permit Isuzu to officially assert a maximum wading depth of 0.800m (which, on the D-Max, is well above the usual benchmark of the midpoint of a vehicle’s wheels)

Further, with the third generation D-Max, Isuzu Philippines introduces a new top-spec variant, the LS-E, that exclusively features automated conveniences as well as their Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) package with safety telematics for forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights high-beam, and lane departure alarm.

Price points

As stated by Isuzu Philippines Vice President for Sales Yasuhiko Oyama during the launch event last March 4, introductory prices for the new third-generation D-Max will remain at par with the price-points of the previous model.  Although, with the addition of a top-spec variant featuring first world telematics, prices of their 9 variants now show a notable P0.968M spread between the P0.857M SRP for the single-cab 4×2 MT base configuration and the P1.825M list price for their new LS-E 4×4 AT top-of-the-line variant.

2021 / third-generation D-Max variant list prices (in PHP million)

3.0 4×4 LS-E AT	__________ 1.825
3.0 4×2 LS-A AT	________ 1.390
3.0 4×4 LS MT	_________ 1.630
3.0 4×2 LS MT	_______ 1.320
RZ4E 4×2 LS AT	______ 1.309
RZ4E 4×2 LS MT	____ 1.219
3.0 4×4 LT MT	_____ 1.288
RZ4E 4×2 LT MT	___ 0.987
RZ4E 4×2 Single Cab MT	__ 0.857

Targets

Also during the March 4 launch, when asked about how many third-generation D-Max units they expect to sell this year, Isuzu Philippines’ Yasuhiko Oyama said that they expect this roll-out in March to increase their share in the pickup truck market from 8 percent in 2020 to 15 percent by the end of 2021. We have to say, with their aggressive pricing and the D-Max’s DNA now putting cross-hairs on key rivals, with Isuzu improving on the previous-generation D-Max as well as on the still-current generation Chevrolet Colorado and (through Mazda) the present-generation Ford Ranger, the leading truckmaker’s goal of nearly doubling their share numbers looks feasible.