Specialist ute distributor Isuzu UTE Australia is marking three years of local sales of its premium Isuzu D-MAX one-tonne ute range with a high-spec Limited Edition III 4×4 crew ute.
With production limited to just 300 units—a little more than the prior two years’ Les — the D-MAX LE III for 2011 comes in Starry Black mica or a special pearlescent Silky White, both in automatic or manual.
Based on the highest-series and most popular D-MAX— the LS-U 4×4 crew ute, LE III comes equipped with around $8,000 retail fitted value worth of unique features and accessories for thousands less than that reflected in its recommended retail price from $45,500 plus on-road costs.
“With its sporty flair and cool kit, LE III will extend D-MAX’s appeal beyond its established popularity among tradies, farmers, caravanners and fleets to a younger, more urbane set of drivers,” said Isuzu Ute Australia’s general manager of sales, Paul Vuko.
LE III is distinguished by its chrome egg-crate grille topped by a chrome bonnet protector garnish strip and a pair of bonnet racing stripes. Lower down is a broad front bumper over-rider in silver and chrome between fog lights each side set in frosted chrome bezels.
There’s custom striping high along LE III’s beltline, ‘Limited Edition III’ decals on the rear side flanks and slim-line sporty side steps with body-colour end caps and brushed alloy step inserts with rubber grip stipples. LE III’s alloy wheels differ from LS-U with machine-faced spokes and rim contrasting with gloss gunmetal inner detail.
Up back astride the tub is D-MAX’s neat, single-hoop chrome sports bar with integrated high-mount brake light array, an under-rim tub liner with accessible tie-down hooks, taillights with chrome guard trims and a rear camera eye peeking out above the rego plate.
LE III’s premium unique feature is its Kenwood touch-screen hi-fi head unit with Garmin® SatNav, reversing camera view, DVD, USB and iPod® /iPhone® and Bluetooth® connectivity, as well as CD/FM/AM audio with AAC/MP3/WMA compatibility, played through LE II’s six speakers. The unit integrates DFS (Detachable Face Security) and includes remote control.
Seats are fully trimmed in charcoal leather trim with ventilation perforations in their centre panels and subtle ‘D-MAX’ embossing on the front backrests. Custom carpet mats with the front pair monogrammed complete the special interior touches.
All LE IIIs are otherwise well-kitted with standard air-conditioning, ABS with EBD, dual airbags, power fold-in door mirrors with turn indicators, factory cruise, projector headlights, remote entry, electric windows with one-touch driver’s glass down/up, dual-bin padded centre console, electro-luminescent instrument display, rear LSD, lockable tailgate, chrome rear step bumper and an alloy spare wheel.
Being solely 4×4, LE III is kitted with D-MAX’s 4×4 package of three-tonne maximum tow capacity, high-ride suspension, high 225mm ground clearance, ultra-low low-range crawler first gear with anti-stall, heavy steel plate guards for the sump, transfer case and the front of the fuel tank, plus steel shielding for the rest of the fuel tank underside.
There’s also wide track 16”x7” wheels with meaty 245/70 All-Terrain tyres framed by wheel arch flares, plus push-button dash controls for 2WD/4WD/low range selection and shift-on-the-fly up to 100 km/h between 2WD and 4WD High.
With D-MAX‘s famed fuel economy and three litres of low-stress turbo-diesel torque from the engine shared with Isuzu’s 2-tonners, LE III offers performance as well as great amenity and individualized style.