Isuzu D-Max facelift to be unveiled in Thailand

Expected to be unveiled next month, the facelifted Isuzu D-Max will sport some cosmetic changes and feature updates

Isuzu introduced its second-generation D-Max in 2011 and followed it up with an update in 2015. According to reports from Headlight magazine, the Japanese carmaker is now ready to bring in a facelifted version of the D-Max at the 2017 Thai Motor Expo towards the end of November.

Expect this facelifted Isuzu D-Max to sport some cosmetic changes and improved safety features. In the international market, the pick-up comes with LED Daytime Running Lights with projector headlamps, alloy wheels and more. It also comes loaded with safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, Hill Descent Control and Hill Climb Assist.

The Thailand-spec D-Max comes with two diesel engine options – a 1.9-litre producing 150bhp and 350Nm and a 3.0-litre that is good for 177bhp and 380Nm. While the 1.9-litre motor comes mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox option, the latter comes fitted with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Isuzu is rumoured to be working on a new 2.4-litre powerplant that is expected to replace the higher displacement engine.

In India, however, the D-Max comes with a 2.5-litre motor that only pumps out 134bhp and 320Nm. The India-spec model makes do with a 5-speed gearbox option and doesn’t come with an automatic transmission option. Speaking of India, Isuzu only sells three variants of the D-Max in India of which the top-spec D-Max V-Cross is the most popular. Considering the limited market that lifestyle pick-ups have in India, it is unlikely that the feature-rich D-Max will make its way to India. That being said, they might just bring in the cosmetic updates.