UTILITY BLADE

WALKINSHAW-FETTLED BLADE SITS AT THE POINTY END OF THE D-MAX LINE-UP

- TRISTAN TANCREDI

ISUZU Ute Australia in collaboration with Walkinshaw Automotive has unleashed the D-MAX Blade, with the new flagship model expected to compete with the likes of Ford's Wildtrak X and Toyota's HiLux GR Sport - no, not the Ranger Raptor.

Developed locally by Walkinshaw, the Blade is exclusive to Australia, but Isuzu is keeping a close eye on the vehicle's success here to see whether it would be viable for other global markets. Priced at $76,990 drive-away, the Blade is dearer than the HiLux GR Sport ($73,990) but essentially equal money with the Wildtrak X ($76,890).

WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET?

DEVELOPED in the depths of Walkinshaw's Clayton facility, the Blade underwent more than 100,000km of durability testing at the Lang Lang Proving Ground, as well as a sixday 3300km test trip to the Flinders Ranges via Arkaroola and Cameron Corner - towing a caravan. The end result was, arguably, the best factory D-MAX in Australia.

Following extensive and arduous concepting, prototyping, testing and retesting, the Walkinshaw team achieved a 29mm lift courtesy of a new suspension system and a larger wheel and tyre set-up. The vehicle now runs Monroe 35mm MTV twin-tube dampers that are 16.6 per cent larger than the original 30mm components, and have been specifically tuned for local conditions.

The suspension is complemented by 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres mounted on satin black 17x8.5-inch alloy wheels with a +17mm positive offset.

In contrast, the LS-U+ comes with 265/60R18 tyres and a +33mm positive offset, resulting in a 32mm increase in track width for the Blade.