The new Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 has finally been confirmed for South Africa, though – rather curiously – the firm’s local division is unable to confirm pricing…

Isuzu Motors South Africa dropped a substantial hint late in 2022 and now the news is official: the latest Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 has been confirmed for the local market in “limited” numbers.

Despite the Japanese firm’s local division saying the new flagship model “is available on special order through Isuzu’s local dealer network” (as in, present tense), it curiously cannot currently confirm pricing. We even called a couple of local dealerships, which were likewise unable to share an official figure.

So, what do we know? Well, developed in collaboration with Icelandic specialists Arctic Trucks, the 2023 D-Max Arctic AT35 will again be locally assembled at Isuzu’s plant in Struandale, Gqeberha. As was the case with the previous-generation version of the beefed-up bakkie, the Struandale plant is the only Isuzu facility in the world accredited by Arctic Trucks to produce the D-Max AT35.

Based on the range-topping V-Cross 4×4 double-cab derivative (which, for the record, is currently priced at R857 700), the AT35 gains its enhancements in a dedicated Arctic Trucks conversion area in the 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 normal 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 its increased ride height and wider track, the AT35 gains 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). In addition, a standard 18-inch spare wheel is fitted beneath the loadbox, while a ResQ Puncture Repair Kit is also provided. Inside, the bakkie’s leather-trimmed seats score “AT35” logos, a treatment repeated on the gearshift shroud and floor mats.

The “purpose-designed” lift kit and tyres increase the ground clearance from 232 mm to 266 mm and boost the vehicle’s overall height from 1 810 mm to 1 875 mm. The standard bakkie’s 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.

As a reminder, the AT35 is powered by the brand’s 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine familiar from other D-Max derivatives. In this latest application, it generates an unchanged 140 kW and 450 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered to all 4 wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.

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). We’ll share local pricing as soon as it’s confirmed…

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