One of many uncommon new Japanese automobiles on show on the ongoing Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present (BIMS) is the 2025 Isuzu D-Max. Okay, it’s not new per se, having been launched again in November, however it does give us a superb take a look at the mildly-refreshed pick-up.
Whereas the truck is unchanged visually from the facelifted 2023 mannequin, a wholesale revamp has occurred beneath the bonnet. Right here, the D-Max has ditched its long-serving RZ4E-TC 1.9 litre Ddi BluePower four-cylinder turbodiesel, changing it with a revised RZ4F-TC 2.2 litre Ddi MaxForce mill. Isuzu claims this basically all-new mill boasts improved efficiency and gas effectivity whereas delivering decrease emissions.
Past the apparent bump in displacement, the brand new oil-burner additionally positive factors redesigned cylinders with a high-flow lubrication system and a high-swirl combustion chamber to enhance combustion effectivity. Extremely-low-friction pistons, an digital variable geometry turbocharger, higher-pressure direct injectors (now working at as much as 250 MPa) and a multi-core ECU have additionally been added.
Elevated efficiency is a given – the MaxForce engine now makes 163 PS at 3,600 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm, will increase of 13 PS and 50 Nm over the outdated 1.9 litre unit. Arguably extra spectacular, nonetheless, is the development in step-off efficiency, thanks to an enormous 56% improve in torque from a standstill. Isuzu additionally claims a ten.7% discount in extra-urban gas consumption, in addition to the bottom carbon dioxide emissions in its class.
Paired to the revised engine is a brand new eight-speed Rev Tronic computerized transmission, designed to maintain the mill in its optimum rev vary; a six-speed handbook can be accessible. Isuzu says the engine has been examined over 2.2 million kilometres to make sure it retains the corporate’s famed reliability.
The engine replaces the 1.9 litre mill within the overwhelming majority of purposes, save for the recently-launched gentle hybrid variant. The bigger 3.0 litre 4JJ3-TCX mill troopers on, now additionally rechristened the MaxForce and the aforementioned multi-core ECU, though outputs stay the identical at 190 PS and 450 Nm; it’s mated to the identical six-speed auto as earlier than. The replace additionally brings a brand new color – the Elbrus Gray Opaque paint seen right here – to the D-Max vary.
Additionally receiving the brand new engine is the MU-X SUV, and its look at BIMS provides us our first take a look at the facelifted mannequin that was revealed final June. Isuzu managed the inconceivable activity of creating the automotive look much more aggressive, giving it eyebrow-style LED daytime operating lights, a large downturned snout of a grille and an X-shaped bumper and air consumption design. The rear finish will get L-shaped taillight graphics and a diffuser-style bumper insert.
Inside, the adjustments are a lot much less concerned and are restricted to a stitched soft-touch sprint pad and new ornamental trim. The centre console has additionally been redesigned to accommodate the most recent nine-inch infotainment touchscreen (replete with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) from the facelifted D-Max, which additionally lends its seven-inch part-digital instrument show to the MU-X.
Different new options embody a 360-degree digital camera system with a transparency perform in addition to an upgraded suite of driver assists. New on the record are lane centring help for Degree 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality, in addition to blind spot monitoring with collision prevention.
With the facelifted D-Max having already been launched in Malaysia final Might, it’s seemingly that the MaxForce model will arrive someday this 12 months. Then once more, a brief lead time will not be precisely a given – Isuzu Malaysia took 4 years to deliver within the earlier 1.9 litre Ddi BluePower mill, with intensive sturdiness testing for our distinctive circumstances and lower-quality gas accountable for the delay.
GALLERY: Isuzu D-Max Hello-Lander 2.2 Ddi MaxForce M A/T at BIMS 2025
GALLERY: Isuzu MU-X 4×2 2.2 Ddi MaxForce Final A/T at BIMS 2025
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