Isuzu UK has teamed up with Norwegian off-road specialists, Arctic Trucks, to offer a factory-backed-and-sold Isuzu D-Max AT35… it’s unlikely to come here. Shame.

THE RECENT UK Commercial Vehicle show in Birmingham saw the UK arm of Isuzu announce it would offer the Arctic Trucks modified Isuzu D-Max for sale in the UK. It’s been available via Isuzu Norway for some time, but is the first time buyers will be able to purchase an Arctic Trucks product in the UK via a manufacturer dealer network.

Available in either double-cab or extended cab, the D-Max AT35 gets a 30mm body lift and a 25mm suspension lift. The standard shock absorbers have been binned in favour of Fox Performance Series shocks while the standard tyres have been swapped for 35-inch Nokian Rotiiva AT tyres fitted to 17-10inch wheels. All up, with new suspension, tyres and a body lift, the running height is 125mm higher than a standard 4×4 D-Max.

Ground clearance is increased to 290mm (up from 235mm) while approach has improved to 36-degrees (up from 30), departure is only 23-degrees (up from 22.9) and rampover becomes 32-degrees. The engine and transmission are standard and, according to Isuzu UK, the towing ability of the D-Max AT35 is the same as the standard vehicle.

Extra-cost options include an Arctic Trucks Truxedo that provides added security for cargo in the load bed, as well as the Arctic Trucks Sports Bar. Buyers can also pay extra for a 27-LED square work light, skid plates, and an ARB tyre inflator with inline gauge. Customers opting for the double cab AT35 can also upgrade their infotainment system with the Pioneer AVIC-F860BT audio set-up, DVD and European navigational system with 6.1-inch touch screen, reversing camera and Parrot Bluetooth kit for wireless telephony and music streaming.

Question: So, would you pay the extra money for a factory-backed vehicle like this, or stick with the tried and true method of buying your own off-roader and then seeking out the aftermarket to add the bits and pieces you want? And, if Isuzu Australia offered it, would you buy one?

Standard equipment is as follows:

Exterior

• Fender Flares, front & rear 17”x10” wheels
• Extended Profile AT Side Steps Fox dampers, front & rear
• 315/70 R17 Nokian Rotiiva AT tyres Integrated fuel filler cap
• Daytime running lights Chrome front grille and rear bumper
  LED rear lights Roof bars (double-cab only)
• Body-colour front bumper Rear parking distance sensor (double-cab only)
• Projector headlamps Receiver Hitch
• Folding heated chrome door mirrors with side-indicator repeaters

Optional exterior extras – exterior styling:

• Arctic Trucks sports bar (black or silver)
• Arctic Trucks Truxedo Double-cab/Extended-cab
• 4.5-inch Vision X LED cannon
• 6.7-inch Vision X LED 9 diode lamp (black or chrome)
• 6.7-inch Vision X LED 18 diode lamp (black or chrome)
• Optional exterior extras – off-road:

27 LED square work light with Arctic Trucks logo

• Skid plate under radiator/engine
• Skid plate under engine/gearbox
• ARB inflator with gauge
• Pump up emergency inflation kit

  Paint finishes available:

Splash White, Titanium Silver Met, Mineral Grey Met, Tundra Green Mica, Venetian Red Mica, Nautilus Blue Mica, Cosmic Black Mica

Safety and security

• ABS + ESC + TCS Door-open warning light
• Front, side and curtain airbags Height-adjustable front seatbelts
• Insurance approved immobiliser Remote central locking
• Three-point rear seatbelts Locking wheel nuts

Interior

• Driver and passenger reading lights Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Heated front seats Height adjustable steering wheel
• Leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control function
• Rear heating ducts Automatic climate control (double-cab only)
• Front electric windows Rear electric windows
• Height-adjustable front headrests Courtesy light delay function
• Aluminium Scuff Plates Leather upholstery (double-cab only)
• Electrically Adjustable Driver’s Seat (double-cab only)
• Heated Front Seats (double-cab only)
• Entertainment

In car entertainment system:

• RDS radio/single CD with iPod-USB-Bluetooth
• Six speakers with roof-mounted Exciter speaker
  

Optional extras (double-cab only):

• Pioneer AVIC-F860BT fully integrated audio system
• DVD and navigation system with 6.1-inch touch screen
  
• European map coverage and traffic info
  
• Parrot Bluetooth wireless telephony and music streaming (limited availability)
  
• Reversing camera