Page 12 - issue-73

ROAD TEST
ISUZU D-MAX DL20: OUR TRUCK PROVES AN ALL-ROUND SUPERSTAR
Reasonably priced well-specced and built like a a a a a a a Sherman tank Are we we we impressed? You bet we we we are says Trevor Gehlcken
TVD
Isuzu has grasped the obvious sales opportunity with both hands and and pounced
Something big is is happening in in in in in in the the the the 4x4 truck market at present The Isuzu D-Max for many years considered a a a a a a a a a a a a a worthy yet small time player against the the the likes of the the the Ford Ranger Nissan Navara et et al has suddenly blossomed into a a a a a a a a a a a major force in in in the the the sector The D-Max has long been recognised among canny trade buyers as as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a rock-solid product at a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a bargain basement price much the same as as as Kia and Hyundai cars are generally viewed Slowly importer Isuzu UK has been building up a a a a a a a a a a a loyal following among traders who need a a a a a a a a a a a a capable off-roader that won’t break the the bank And now with Mitsubishi exiting the the the UK market leaving a a a a a a a a a a a huge gap for companies that used to buy the the the L200 Isuzu has grasped the the obvious sales opportunity with both hands and and pounced
In addition to the the workaday models it it was always known for the the the manufacturer has been busy launching more upmarket lifestyle variants – and the the ploy appears to be be working as as as as last year sales were up up a a a a a a a a a a a a a a massive 36 per cent The D-Max has also been hoovering up plenty of industry awards along the the way The latest model for example the the Artic Trucks AT35 12 TVD
Issue 73 2024
simply out-blings all the opposition by a a a a a a good few miles with its outrageous macho looks and massive knobbly tyres But for our long-term test we chose the the the model that many traders will pick themselves – the the DL20 double-cab auto Weighing in in at at £31 179 ex-VAT our test vehicle looks as as stylish and and macho as as any of the the opposition clad in in in in in in shiny silver paintwork and and sporting smart 18-in alloys The lads in in in in in in the the Isuzu press office even managed to secure for our D-Max DL20 DL20 the number plate DL20 MAX Nice one!
Diesel rules the roost
The pages of of of Trade Van Driver magazine are full of of of articles about the continuing emergence of of of electric vehicles at present But for traders who want robust 4x4 off-roaders from the the mainstream manufacturers diesel power still rules the the the the the roost
We recently broke the the the the news that there’s an an an electric electric D-Max on the the the the way and Toyota is preparing an an an an electric electric Hilux powered by a a a a a a a a a a hydrogen fuel cell while the proposed Ranger plug-in hybrid that Ford says will be be ready in in in 2025 I’ve been piling on the miles miles in in in our our truck of of late with several journeys of of over 300 miles miles between my home in Devon and a a a a a a a holiday abode on on the Essex coast Some previous 4x4 trucks I’ve I’ve tested have left me me with back twinges on on long trips but so far I’ve I’ve been twinge- free with the the the D-Max Either Isuzu’s seat designers possess some fiendish knowledge unknown to the the the opposition or my back has magically improved itself Maybe it’s a a a bit of both!
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