Isuzu Philippines has rolled out the D-Max Limited, the first factory-accessorized variant of the popular pick-up’s third generation model that was introduced globally in June 2020 and here in March 2021. Priced at P1.580M, the new offering is based on the D-Max’s bestselling P1.460M 3.0 4×2 LS-A AT variant with a P0.120M price bump being asked for: (1) the exclusivity of a limited 200-unit run; (2) new front grille, side and rear treatments; and (3), an enhanced suspension system with mono-tube dampers and solid shackles that raise its ground clearance to a groundbreaking 260mm.
The new, limited-run offering spotlights the sweetspot in the middle of what is now the D-Max’s 9-variant lineup with its nearly P1M price spread between the P0.917M 1.9 liter RZ4E Single Cab 4×2 MT and the P1.905M top-spec’d 3.0 liter 4×4 LS-E AT. While already based on the popular 3.0 liter 2-wheel drive luxury trim variant, the D-Max Limited’s P0.120M price rise seems offset by more resale points gained from its 200-unit production run. It also helps that all modification accessories on the D-Max Limited come with brand authenticity, having been designed by Isuzu Accessories and Service Parts at their Thai production hub.
Introduced here in the same week that the face-lifted third generation D-Max was unveiled globally, the Limited’s front grille modification causes the special variant to fork-off earnestly from the original design while keeping it significantly different from the refreshed model with its revised fascia. The Limited’s blacked out grille opens up the venting, eliminating those horizontal upper-grille devices that look like upper fangs on the original design and like upturned tusks on the update. The D-Max Limited’s new grille is more milspec and tactical in comparison to the predatory creature looks on original and facelifted 3rd-gen D-Maxes–we’re saying this is a good thing.
The nitrogen-charged mono-tube shock absorbers mated to its stabilized double-wishbone coil-sprung front, and to soft-ride leaf springs with solid shackles at the rear, have raised the D-Max Limited’s ground clearance up to an unprecedented 260mm. This is 20mm higher than the model’s top-of-the-line 4×4 LS-E variant’s 240mm (and 13mm more than the 247mm of the previous-generation model’s special 4×4 Boondock variant–itself having mono-tube shocks that raised it 12mm above its stock platform).
Predictably, many will point out the irony of lifting a rear-wheel driven 4×2 truck this high, possibly lobbying for a 4×4 all-terrain version of this limited-run special. But note that the 20mm upgrade also gets added to the 800mm maximum wading depth asserted by Isuzu for stock variants. And, even with the monsoon season having officially ended this week, images of sudden and paralyzing floods on national roads should remain vivid in buyers’ minds until next year’s drenchers come along, making that 260mm of class-topping clearance a deal-closing feature for the D-Max Limited as an ideal, and ironically premium, all-weather ute.