The 2nd-gen Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, which was exhibited at NAMPO, has now been launched in Mzansi. The off-road-optimised double cab, which will be produced in limited numbers, is the latest entrant to the R1-million-plus bakkie club.

Isuzu Motors South Africa confirmed the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 for the local market in mid-May, but at the time, it didn’t say how much the bakkie would cost. However, the Gqeberha-based subsidiary of the Japanese brand has now confirmed the 2nd-gen AT35 3.0TD 4×4 will be priced from R1120620.

The Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 was displayed at NAMPO 2023 in May.

For the record, that makes Isuzu’s newcomer South Africa’s 4th-most expensive double-cab bakkie, behind the Volkswagen Amarok 3.0TDI V6 Aventura 4Motion (R1 138200), Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 EcoBoost Raptor 4WD (R1 184100) and Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon (R1 329900). It is, however, the country’s most expensive 4-cylinder bakkie.

Offered in “limited” numbers and set to be available “on special order” through Isuzu’s local dealer network, the AT35 is based on the D-Max 3.0TD V-Cross 4×4. The beefed-up flagship commands a R241420 premium over that derivative and sits right at the summit of the local D-Max line-up, arriving as the 28th variant in the range (along with a further 5 variants in the prolonged-lifecycle Gen 6 portfolio).

So, what makes the AT35-badged model special? Well, developed in collaboration with Icelandic specialists Arctic Trucks, the 2023 D-Max Arctic AT35 is again locally assembled at Isuzu’s plant in Struandale, Gqeberha. As was the case when it assembled the previous-generation version of this butch bakkie, the Eastern Cape plant is the only Isuzu facility in the world accredited by Arctic Trucks to produce the D-Max AT35.

According to the Japanese firm’s local division, the AT35 gains its various model-specific enhancements in a dedicated Arctic Trucks conversion area within the factory’s body shop, where Isuzu says its “most skilled artisans and technicians craft the bigger wheel wells and arches to accommodate the large 35-inch tyres and beefed-up suspension”. After painting, the vehicle follows the standard D-Max assembly line, where it also gains a specially developed suspension lift kit and Bilstein dampers. The final step in the transformation is the “off-line fitment” of larger wheel-arch mouldings.

Besides a markedly increased ride height and wider track, the AT35 boasts special chrome badges on its front fenders and tailgate, along with wider-profile side steps, “Arctic Trucks” mudflaps and 35-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres wrapped round 17×10-inch AT black alloy wheels.

An 18-inch spare wheel is furthermore fitted beneath the load box, while a “ResQ Puncture Repair Kit” is also provided. Inside, the bakkie’s leather-trimmed seats score yet more “AT35” logos, a treatment repeated on the gearshift shroud and floor mats.

The AT35 flagship is based on the V-Cross derivative that previously topped the range.

The “purpose-designed” lift kit and tyres increase the ground clearance from the standard figure of 232 mm to 266 mm, while also boosting the bakkie’s overall height from 1 810 mm to 1 875 mm. The claimed wading depth of 800 mm climbs to 865 mm, while the approach angle improves to 33 degrees, the departure angle to 23 degrees and the break-over angle to 34 degrees.

So, what about the powertrain? Well, despite its suspension upgrade and beefier-than-standard body, the AT35 is no match for the 292 kW V6-powered Ranger Raptor under the bonnet as the Isuzu sticks with the standard 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine familiar from other D-Max derivatives. As in other applications, the oil-burner generates an unchanged 140 kW and 450 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered to all 4 wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard.

How much does the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 cost in SA?

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 3.0TD 4×4 – R1120620

The D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 ships standard with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).

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