Isuzu D-MAX gets pumped up with help from Iceland’s Arctic Trucks

The result of a collaboration between Isuzu and Arctic Trucks – the latter being a company founded in Iceland, boasting 25 years experience developing 4x4 vehicles built to tackle “the most gruelling terrains and conditions” – the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is a proper off-roader.

Now on sale in the UK with the title of “the most robust and capable pick-up Isuzu UK has ever created”, the AT35 is based on a standard Isuzu D-Max, with power coming from the original 120kW/400Nm 2.5-litre twin-turbo-diesel engine.

“A pick-up truck engineered to excel in the most arduous conditions”, Isuzu UK says while the AT35 retains the base car’s one-tonne payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity, it’s been kitted out for serious off-roading.

This means re-engineered suspension, featuring Fox dampers front and rear, special 35-inch 315/70R17 all-terrain Nokian Rotiiva tyres fitted to 17x10-inch alloy wheels, and terrifically flared wheel arches.

With wheels “considerably larger than those on the standard D-Max” and tyres “so bulbous they can even allow the car to float on light snow slush”, the AT35 sits 55mm higher than a standard double-cab D-Max, claims 290mm of ground clearance, and gains six degrees in approach angle (36 degrees) and 10 degrees in ramp angle (32 degrees). Its departure angle is also increased to 23 degrees.

Along with an on-board tyre inflation kit and custom receiver hitches fitted front and rear, the AT35 also comes equipped with a few creature comforts, such as iPod/USB/Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker stereo “with an ‘Exciter’ speaker in the roof lining”, heated and electrically folding wing mirrors, automatic climate control air conditioning (in double-cab variants), a leather steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, and leather upholstery.

Daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, a rear load liner, and – again reserved for double-cab models – roof bars and rear parking sensors, are also standard, while options include a 27-LED square work light, skid plates and a 6.1-inch touchscreen with a reversing camera.

Available in double-cab and extended-cab configurations, and in a range of colours comprising Splash White, Titanium Silver Met, Mineral Grey Met, Tundra Green Mica, Venetian Red Mica, Nautilus Blue Mica, and Cosmic Black Mica, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is priced in the UK from £30,999 ($54,750) for the extended-cab and £33,499 ($59,160) for the double-cab.

For context, the current Australian Isuzu D-Max line-up – powered by a 130kW/380Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel – ranges from $27,500 to $52,500.

What do you think of the look of the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35? And would you like to see it, or something similar, offered locally by Isuzu Ute Australia?

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