Isuzu PH announces launch date of 2021 D-Max

We're a few weeks away from local debut of 2021 Isuzu D-Max

It's been more than a year since Isuzu rolled out the all-new D-Max in Thailand. Since then, we've been hotly anticipating the arrival of the next-gen pick-up here, but the global crisis pushed back a load of launches that were set last year.

But now, we don't have to wait much longer for the third-generation D-Max. Isuzu Philippines has finally announced its official launch date. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2021 Isuzu D-Max's local launch date is set for March 4; less than a month from now. Its premiere will be broadcast on Isuzu PH's Facebook page and Youtube channel at 7:00 PM on the launch day.

For now, Isuzu isn't dropping a lot of hints about the local-spec D-Max. However, we suspect it might be close to the Thai version since our models are likely sourced from there. We can expect the new 3.0-liter engines to power the higher-spec versions of the pick-up. The updated turbodiesel puts 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque, up by 13 PS and 70 Nm, respectively. As for the 1.9-liter RZ4E in lower-spec variants, we're not anticipating a power or torque upgrade.

As for prices, we're wishing it won't be a dramatic increase from the current SRPs. At the moment, prices for the D-Max range from PHP 857,000 (Single cab and chassis) to PHP 1,795,000 (Boondock 4x4 A/T). Does this mean the top-spec variant could nudge PHP 1,800,000? Given the safeguard tariff on imported vehicles, it's a looming possibility. Of course, we can expect prices for the 4x2 models to be much less than that.

With the all-new D-Max launch just a few weeks away, we're wondering when Isuzu Philippines will launch the second-generation Mu-X. After all, they promised that the all-new SUV will be arriving in 2021. Either way, this year will be action-packed for Isuzu, and we're looking forward to taking both of them out for a road test.