2024 Isuzu D-MAX Blade launched: Walkinshaw-fettled flagship model arrives

Isuzu has a new flagship model sitting atop its D-MAX model line-up, with the Walkinshaw-fettled D-MAX Blade revealed and set to land in dealerships across the country from November 1.

The all-new Blade will launch with a price of $76,990 drive-away – IUA says this is a special introductory price, so expect that to rise in 2025. That price tag means it only costs marginally more than the former flagship D-MAX X-Terrain (at $70,500 before on-road costs), and despite no change to the powertrain there’s plenty of Walkinshaw treatment included to justify spending that little bit more.

The collaboration between Isuzu Australia and Walkinshaw essentially began more than three years ago, when Walkinshaw began concepting and prototyping the previous-gen D-MAX in secret at its Clayton base in Victoria. The hush-hush development included countless back-and-forth discussions between Isuzu and Walkinshaw to ensure the Blade would stand out but also remain true to the regular D-MAX.

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“Before we even kicked this project off, we spent months speaking with local engineering outfits to determine how to best bring the Blade to life,” said Isuzu UTE Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Junta Matsui. “In the end, we chose to partner with Walkinshaw due to their unrivalled local LCV experience and local engineering and design talent pool – with the finished product speaking for itself.”

Following countless hours of evaluation including more than 100,000km of durability testing at Lang Lang, as well as a six-day 3300km test trip to the Flinders Ranges via Arkaroola and Cameron's Corner – towing a Wayfarer no less – the end result is a vehicle loaded with kit that will prove of use when off-road.

The decision was made to use the D-MAX LS-U+ as the base vehicle, which means, in addition to the regular equipment gained with the LS-U, it gets leather-accented upholstery with black stitching; an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat; and heated front seats. Enter Walkinshaw.

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From this base vehicle, Walkinshaw then harnessed the experience gained from previous projects – SportsCat, Amarok and Triton – and worked its magic, giving the Blade a 29mm lift courtesy of new suspension and a larger wheel and tyre package. Monroe 35mm MTV twin-tube dampers, tuned for local conditions, were installed and are said to be 16.6 per cent larger than the original 30mm items.

This suspension set-up has been paired with 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres wrapped around satin black 17x8.5-inch flow-formed alloy wheels with a +17mm positive offset. For comparison’s sake, the LS-U+ is fitted with 265/60R18s with a +33mm positive offset, giving the Blade a track increase of 32mm.

For the Blade, Walkinshaw doubled the thickness of the D-MAX’s underbody protection steel bash plate from 1.5mm to 3.0mm. Behind the bash plate, Walkinshaw engineers also developed a new eight-tonne load-rated recovery point system with an integrated cross member – essentially making it a single-piece unit. Despite all of these changes, there was no impact on towing and payload capacities.

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Walkinshaw’s design team, lead by Chief Designer, Julian Quincey, has implemented a revised satin black front grille surrounded by a hexapod motif, a design feature that has been utilised throughout the exterior including on the bigger wheel-arch flares. An integrated 112w light bar is a welcome addition; plus there’s no shortage of decals and satin black geometric stripes throughout the exterior.

“Visually, with the widened stance and increased ride height, the Blade makes an absolute statement.” said Julian Quincey. “But equally, it looks a part of the Isuzu range.”

The interior is relatively unchanged, save for the addition of Blade lettering on the head rests, floor mats and scuff plates, as well as individually numbered Blade identification plaques located on the transmission selector surround.

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A full list of Walkinshaw changes

• 244mm ground clearance
• 29.2° approach angle
• 19.2° departure angle
• 25.2° breakover angle
• Blade-exclusive lifted suspension, finished in signature Isuzu red
• Blade-exclusive 3mm bash plate underbody protection, finished in signature Isuzu red
• Blade-exclusive 8-tonne load rated recovery points with cross-bracing, finished in signature Isuzu red
• Blade-exclusive satin black 17x8.5-inch +28 flow-formed alloy wheels
• 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres
• Satin black front grille with ISUZU lettering
• Satin black front bumper cladding
• Satin black fender flares with integrated air curtains
• Blade-exclusive widened mud flaps
• Satin black ‘BLADE’ lettering across tailgate
• Blade-exclusive satin black tailgate badging
• Blade-exclusive satin black decals on front bar, bonnet, doors and tailgate
• Blade-exclusive satin black tubular side steps
• Satin black one-piece extended sports bar with integrated stop lamp
• Tinted lens light bar integrated into the front grille
• Blade embroidered headrest
• Blade embroidered floor mats
• Blade embossed scuff plates
• Individually numbered Blade identification plaque on transmission selector surround
• Individually numbered Blade identification plaque in engine bay
• Basalt Black tailgate and door handles
• Basalt Black door mirrors
• Available in Moonstone White pearl, Basalt Black mica, Granite Grey mica or Sunstone Orange mica

Besides the obvious Walkinshaw link, it’s a very different beast than the Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme released at the start of 2023. For starters, the D-MAX Blade will be a regular addition to the D-MAX line-up, rather than a limited edition run.

However, an obvious omission is that IUA and Walkinshaw have left the powertrain unchanged. And while the 3.0-litre 4JJ is a proven, reliable engine, its 140kW and 450Nm outputs remain untapped. For a brand known for being big and brash, this is likely to irk a few people, and Walkinshaw says the decision was made based on cost, stringent regulations and, as a result, time.

And while the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel is more than enough for off-road grunt work, the lack of an engine tickle means the Blade is – on paper – more in line with Premcar’s Navara PRO-4X Warrior rather than a desert-tearing Ranger Raptor – which may disappoint those hoping for a relentless off-road racer.

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The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4x4 system that remains as per the regular D-MAX. As it’s based on the LS-U+ variant, a rear diff lock is standard, as is Rough Terrain mode.

The Blade is equipped with the full suite of safety kit that comes standard with the MY24 D-MAX. This includes Isuzu's Intelligent Driver Assistance System (IDAS) which consists of: AEB with Turn Assist; Forward Collision Warning; Adaptive Cruise Control; Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control; Traffic Sign Recognition; Lane Departure Warning; Lane Departure Prevention; Lane Keeping Assist; Emergency Lane Keeping; Blind Spot Monitoring; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; Rear Cross Traffic Brake; Welcome Headlight; Digital Reversing Camera; Trailer Sway Control; and eight airbags.

Just like the regular D-MAX, Isuzu will offer a six-year/150,000km warranty, and up to seven years of roadside assistance for the Blade. Isuzu will initially have 400 vehicles to distribute at launch, before ramping numbers up in the new year.

Stay tuned to 4X4 Australia to read our full review when the embargo lifts on November 1.

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