Isuzu has been producing bakkies in South Africa for 45 years now and to celebrate the brand is releasing the new Limited Edition D-Max 45.
Priced at R906,100, it comes at a R36,600 premium over the Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD LSE 4x4 double cab that it’s based on, but the edition does come with a few additional features that will appeal to adventurous bakkie buyers.
For starters, the D-Max LSE’s chrome grille makes way for a gloss black unit accompanied by contrasting lower fog lamp accents, while 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels with unique silver ring centre caps continue the theme along with a black Rhonoman X-pedition canopy.
At the back end, a black Isuzu decal and 45-year badging set it apart while a tailgate assist feature and spray-on bed liner add further practical value to the package.
Five exterior colours are available: Desert Orange, Biarritz Blue, Islay Grey, Mercury Silver and Splash White.
The cabin of the D-Max 45 edition gains a wireless charging pad and Bundu Basher rubber floor mats.
As per the regular LSE models, interior features include partial leather upholstery and a 9.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Power comes from the familiar 3.0-litre Ddi turbodiesel engine, which pushes 140kW and 460Nm through a six-speed automatic gearbox and part-time four-wheel drive system.
A mixed heritage in South Africa
Isuzu’s local manufacturing history in South Africa dates back 45 years, with the brand having been represented by General Motors (GM), Delta Motor Corporation and then GM again, until 2017, when the US automotive giant abandoned the South African market.
In January 2018, Isuzu Motors South Africa became a wholly-owned subsidiary of its Japanese parent company, in a move that also saw it take control of the former GM factory in Struandale, Gqeberha.
Subsequent to that the Japanese company invested R1.2 billion in tooling up to produce the seventh-generation D-Max bakkie in South Africa. This model was launched in 2022, although the facelifted version that was revealed overseas in 2023 has yet to reach local shores.
“The Isuzu D-Max, and the KB before it, have enjoyed a long and proud legacy in South Africa, and were responsible for creating and popularising the double cab bakkie segment which is now the mainstay of the local industry,” says Kevin Fouche, product planning manager at Isuzu SA.