Isuzu has inadvertently built a bakkie for Darth Vader. Meet the XTR!

As the global bakkie market shows absolutely no signs of product saturation, Isuzu is the latest brand to add a special edition double-cab derivative.

It’s called the XTR and Isuzu’s designers and engineers have attempted to create a Japanese double-cab bakkie with enormous presence and improved off-road ability.

The appearance is striking, with substantial black protective cladding added to the wheel arches and D-Max grille, which transforms into something unlike anything seen on any other bakkie.

Contrasting with the black plastic protection bits are green brake callipers and fender details. This green theme is repeated in the XTR’s cabin too, with lime steering wheel stitching and similarly hued ‘XTR’ seat logos.

Rolling Isuzu’s XTR along are 17-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tyres and the stance is substantially more imposing than a conventional D-Max double-cab 4×4. An off-road appropriate suspension kit from Pedders raises ground clearance to 250mm andimproves ride quality in severely technical off-road terrain.

One detail concerning the Isuzu XTR which might underwhelm South African followers of the Japanese bakkie brand, is its engine. This most purposeful Isuzu double-cab is powered by the brand’s latest turbodiesel engine technology, which is significantly downsized, at only 1.9-litres of capacity. Peak power rates 120 kW, supported by 360 Nm of torque.

The Isuzu XTR is initially planned for delivery in the United Kingdom, but other bakkies markets where Isuzu does a brisk trade – such as South Africa – should be ideal candidates for it too but its arrival in SA has yet to be confirmed.

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