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Assembled in Thailand instead of locally, the D-Max EV is unlikely to debut in South Africa anytime soon as the first of the big three bakkie brands to offer an EV.
Exterior changes from the conventional diesel D-Max are subtle, but easy to spot. Image: Isuzu
Shown as an almost production-ready concept at the Bangkok Motor Show in Thailand last year, Isuzu has used the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham in the United Kingdom to officially unveil the first-ever all-electric D-Max simply called the D-Max EV.
Only open to orders from the second half of the year, with deliveries commencing in March next year, the D-Max EV differs little from its diesel-powered siblings at first glance, as Isuzu will make it available in Extended Cab and double cab bodystyles.
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Offered in two trim grades, DL40 and the double cab-only V-Cross, the D-Max EV’s visual changes from the combustion engine model consist of a sealed grille, aerodynamically optimised 18-inch alloy wheels, blue accents, restyled LED headlight clusters and EV badges.
Underneath, the ladder-frame chassis continues, but not the leaf springs for the rear suspension, which depart in favour of a new De Dion setup.
Compared to the regular D-Max, the EV still measures 5 280 mm long, 1 870 mm wide and 1 790 mm tall, with its wheelbase stretching 3 125 mm.
Also unchanged is the 600 mm wading depth, the 210 mm of ground clearance and the 3500 kg tow rating. The rated approach angle is 30.5°, departure angle 24° and the payload “over 1000 kg”.
Inside, and bar changes to the seven-inch instrument cluster to reflect the electric powertrain, the D-Max EV’s cabin remains otherwise unchanged, with specification consisting of the eight or nine-inch infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and front as well as rear parking sensors.
Reserved for the double cab is an eight-speaker sound system versus the Extended Cab’s six, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror on the V-Cross, and the Rough Terrain Mode on all grades.
In terms of power, the production D-Max EV retains the same configuration as the concept shown in Thailand, namely a dual-motor electric setup whereby a 66.9-kWh battery powers a 43kW/108Nm motor at the front, and a 97kW/217Nm unit at the rear.
Combined, the system develops the same 140 kW as the 3.0-litre 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel engine, but 125 kW less torque at 325 Nm.
Limited to 130 km/h, the D-Max EV will still get from 0-100 km/h in 10.1 seconds despite weighing 2 350 kg.
Four-wheel-drive from the start as a result of the electric motors on each axle, the D-Max EV’s claimed range is 263 km, with DC charging up to 50 kW being supported.
Using the latter method will require a waiting time of exactly 60 minutes from 20-80%. AC charging up to 11 kW will, however, take 10 hours from 0-100%.
Assembled in Thailand rather than at the Struandale Plant in Nelson Mandela Bay where locally sourced models are made, the D-Max EV, for now, appears unlikely for South Africa as a rival for the incoming all-electric Riddara RD6.
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