YES, South Africa is becoming a hotbed for car manufacturers.
Gqebhera in the Eastern Cape is home to popular brands that are assembled from that coastal side.
Isuzu, produced one of its top ranges the D-Max Extended Cab from the same plant.
‘Virtues of evolution’ so they say was the first pick that went through my mind upon delivery to play with- thanks to its aggressive and imposing styling intact.
The Extended Cab, Isuzu has additionally furnished the exterior with a chrome grille, imposing LED headlights, side-steps and an old-school tonneau cover rather than a roller shutter. Kudos to that…
One could not fail to spot 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels wrapped in General Grabber all-terrain tyres, the view of the rear is arguably just as pleasing thanks to the angular taillights and the standard steel sports bar that adds a touch of sportiness.
As I made my way to Bokone Bophirima some of the farmers (known for such) exclaimed in a very strong Afrikaans accent “hierdie is baie mooi and looks sterk (this looks cool and stronger), as I approached Ventersdorp.
It is arguably better looking extended cab than a double cab, I believe!
Fitted with latest nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the easy to decipher dual-zone climate control, multi-function steering wheel, split glove box, a storage cubby on top of the dashboard and cupholders that double up as coin trays below the air vents, why not the best extended cab?
It also boasted a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display, six-speaker sound system, one-touch electric windows, cruise control, rain sense wipers, keyless entry and push-button start.
On the safety front, the D-Max Extended Cab comes as standard with a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control, four airbags, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitoring.
Despite the loadbox being shorter than that of the single cab – 1 805 mm vs 2 330 mm – it still betters the 1 495 mm of the double cab. Compared to the double cab LSE, payload is rated at 1 005 kg versus 995 kg with no single cab equivalent being offered.
With rain doing justice over the weekend and fashionable potholes, I enjoyed its towing capacity of 3 500 kg, wading depth of 800mm and 232 mm of ground clearance.
As I took my cousins to offload grass that was all over the yard, they were taken aback by its opening of the backwards rear doors that revealed attached seatbelts, “hmm look at that cos I was wondering how, were we gonna all fit in-front,” remarked the shocked elder cousin, who is using walking sticks after removing a leg cement.
It produces 10kW/70Nm more for a total of 140kW/450Nm at 935 kg kerb weight- that was realised as I helped our senior lensman Mdu Mphahlele with his load stuff, moving from area to another in Soweto.
Bar a tiny bit of low-down turbo-lag, the engine pulls and feels more substantial from a power and torque perspective- as we took a turn Mahikeng to visit my Son.
For diesel consumption, the D-Max always excelled and just over 800 km netted an indicated best of 7.5 L/100 km, 0.4 L/100 km.
Fitted with push and go ignition- an area that raises no suspicion though is underneath the bonnet. While retaining the 2999 cc displacement, the N-series truck derived 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine has been wholly revised in that it now carries the 4JJ3-TCX internal moniker.
The D- Max is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
“I wouldn’t mind taking this for a drive ko diplaseng” (taking it to the forest), reiterated one senior neighbour, in his usual overalls and a hat, as the heat came down hard.
“I agree wholeheartedly, ntate” I responded clutching my fist with aplomb.
However, be wary of side-step as the screw could come off unaware!
It retails from R527 800
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (5)
Fuel 1-10 ( 4)
Top image (The Isuzu Extended Cab that is assembled in Gqeberha).
