This Isuzu D-Max gets all coil springs, EPS, and 8-speed auto
2024 Isuzu D-Max revealed with chassis, engine, and interior upgrades for the PRC
The all-new third-generation Isuzu D-Max has been in the market for quite some time now. First making its global debut in Thailand in late 2019 before arriving in the Philippines in early 2021, the pickup truck has already undergone a minor update which went on sale in the Philippines last April 2023.
Over in China, however, the new generation D-Max only made its debut yesterday, July 31, 2023 as a 2024 model year vehicle. While some might say it looks the same as the ones offered here in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, Jiangxi Isuzu Motors has given the D-Max some unique upgrades that are only available in the PRC.
Starting with the changes in its chassis, the rear suspension doesn’t come with leaf springs. Instead, the automaker replaced those with a 5-link rear with coil springs. With a mu-X-like rear suspension, this could translate to a softer ride (like the Nissan Navara) but with a slightly lower payload capacity. Also gone is the hydraulic power steering as Isuzu swapped it for an electric power steering (EPS) for lighter steering, especially at low speeds.
Under the hood, the 1.9-liter RZ4E turbo-diesel was also given an update. Instead of producing a respectable 150 PS and 350 Nm of torque, Jiangxi Isuzu Motors boosted the engine to put out 177 PS and 410 Nm of torque. This results in an increase of 27 PS while the torque output gets an extra 60 Nm of pull.
Don’t expect to find a 6-speed automatic transmission in the China-spec D-Max as that has been replaced as well. It gets a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox which sends power to a part-time 4WD system.
Last but certainly not least is the interior of the D-Max itself. While the cabin of the all-new D-Max already looks stylish and high-tech as it is, Jiangxi Isuzu Motors decided to kick it up a notch. There’s the wide 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment that takes center billing on the dashboard while a 10.25-inch fully-digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver.
The center console, meanwhile, gets a wireless phone charger, an electro-mechanical gear selector, and a drive mode selection for Normal, Eco, and Sport.
With the Isuzu D-Max sporting several upgrades and added features for the Chinese market, could we expect some of those updates to make their way outside of the People’s Republic? For now, it seems these new add-ons and changes will remain exclusive to the PRC. However, Isuzu could find a way to make them available for other markets in another future update.
