2025 Isuzu D-MAX Blade tough-truck confirmed

Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) will soon launch a hard-core, homegrown version of the facelifted 2024 Isuzu D-MAX ute, which is now under development by Walkinshaw Automotive.

Federal government homologation data for the ‘WAG Isuzu D-MAX Blade’ was published today, finally confirming plans for Isuzu’s long-awaited answer to the Nissan Navara Warrior and Toyota HiLux GR Sport.

Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification documents show the new D-MAX flagship will bring a series of cosmetic enhancements, plus upgraded suspension and more aggressive rolling stock – just like the Premcar-developed Warrior.

Details are still thin on the ground, but the remarks section of the approval document reveals the D-MAX Blade will stand just over an inch (26.5mm) higher at the front and 29mm at the rear on new springs, wheels and off-road tyres.

Other modifications include a sailplane rear sports bar, a high-mounted stop light (HMSL), extended wheel-arches and a dedicated sump guard.

IUA confirmed the collaboration with Walkinshaw to carsales late this afternoon, but wouldn’t go into detail.

“Isuzu Ute Australia and Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) are collaborating on possible future product developments – however, we are not currently able to provide any further details,” a spokesperson told carsales.

At this stage there’s been no indication as to whether or not the D-MAX Blade will pack any extra firepower to match its fettled underpinnings, but it’s unlikely given the development and validation costs involved.

Neither of Walkinshaw’s previous hero pick-up efforts – the Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme and Volkswagen Amarok W-Series – had any changes made under the bonnet.

It’s almost certain the Blade will be based on the already dressed-up D-MAX X-TERRAIN flagship and feature the same 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel four-cylinder, six-speed Aisin automatic transmission and selectable 4x4 system.

Low-range gearing and a locking rear differential support the latter and should work nicely with the extra inch or so of ride height the Walkie-tuned D-MAX will deliver, alongside its more capable all-terrain tyres.

The D-MAX is already one of the more generous utes on the market in terms of ground clearance at 240mm, meaning a cira-26mm lift will put the Blade on terms with the aforementioned Warrior and GR Sport, while smashing the pair of them for water fording capability – 800mm versus 600mm and 700mm respectively.

carsales first uncovered the prospect of a hardened, locally-developed D-MAX in May last year when IUA submitted the ‘Blade’ nameplate for trademarking with IP Australia and played-down the notion of such a product in the wake of the Isuzu D-MAX AT35’s release in the UK.

Walkinshaw Automotive has been contacted for comment.

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