THERE are very few things that should be called “Blade” – other than knives or Wesley Snipes films.
When I saw the names Isuzu had chosen for the varying spec levels of its new D-Max pick-up truck, I had to stifle a laugh.
And it’s not just because the names Blade, Utah and Yukon are a flimsy attempt to appeal to hairy-chested geezers who class a lager top as a cocktail.
It’s because if you’re a hard-working professional and know your pick-ups, you’ll need no persuading.
Take the silly names away and you’ve got one of the most no-nonsense, capable pick-ups money can buy.
The D-Max is a workhorse. And unlike its show pony rivals — such as the Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Navara — it’s all business.
It won’t find sales among wallies who think driving a pick-up makes them look cool — you know the type, Brylcreem-smeared personal trainers who chat up wobbly divorcees during Legs, Bums and Tums.
Ask those guys what three-and-a-half tonnes of towing capacity looks like and they’d probably point at the heaviest dumbbell they can lift.
But that’s what the D-Max can tug.
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On top of that, it can carry around 500-1,000kg in the load bay, depending on the weight of the model you buy.
The pick-up market in the UK is booming, with a record 48,000 shifted in the last year.
And the D-Max is at the head of the pack. So what’s new compared to the 2015 model?
The 2.5-litre diesel lump has been abandoned in favour of a greener 1.9-litre diesel turbo, resulting in a quieter and more refined drive.
More importantly, it brings the engine in line with Euro 6 emissions standards without having to use that horrible cleaning agent AdBlue in the tank — unlike most of its bigger-engined rivals.
This is a huge win for Isuzu. Take it from me, AdBlue is gruesome gunk (basically, it’s wee) and for a vehicle expected to cover huge mileage, not having to use it will save you money and time.
But a smaller engine means smaller torque outputs, yes? It does, but to compensate Isuzu has shortened the gearing ratios in first and second, and has added hill start assist, which works like a dream, even with maximum payload.
Hill descent and a shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system make it as capable off-road as anything made by Isuzu’s sister brand Subaru.
Playing with the spec levels will determine which exciting-but-pointless name your D-Max is awarded.
Top spec Blade has all the bells and whistles of a good-quality car, including sat nav, a 9in screen and so on.
It will set you back £27,000, but can box off a school run in Essex as easily as it can a deep-water crossing in the Hebrides.
But entry level Utility spec costs less than 16 grand, and while it loses the luxury touches, it possesses every ounce of durability the others have.
Look, I know manufacturers need to give pick-ups rugged names, that’s just the way of the world.
But the D-Max, whichever spec you plump for, is much more than an image — it’s the hardest-working employee you’ll ever hire.
Key facts
ISUZU D-MAX BLADE
Price: £26,999
Engine: 1.9-litre turbo diesel
Economy: 40.4mpg
Top speed: 112mph
Length: 5.3metres
CO2: 183g/km
More attention than famous supercars
READER Lee Robinson, from Lightwater, Surrey, says this beauty gets more attention than Lambos and Ferraris – and I can see why.
Lee says: “This is my 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
“This is from the movie Smokey And The Bandit – ‘Breaker! Breaker!’ – and it makes people smile every time I go out in it, ten-four.”
If you want to see your own car here, send me a pic and a brief description to features@the-sun.co.uk.
All cars are welcome here.
The future of motoring?
THE upcoming Mercedes S-Class, which lands this autumn, will be about as close to a fully-autonomous car as money can buy.
A new Active Distance Assist system can anticipate when the car needs to slow down, such as at bends. With Lane Change Assist, just indicate on a motorway and the car takes over. It can also recognise speed limits. Doesn’t mean you can read The Sun at the wheel, though – you’ll still get nicked for that.
Shark takes a bite out of its rivals
OUT on the launches of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure and Ducati Multistrada, we had the chance to put some miles on the new dual sport Shark helmet – the Explore-R Carbon.
Shark’s do-it-all helmet packs features that set it apart from its rivals. With the option of four setups, you’ll be pleased to hear all the pieces come as standard.
The fit is superb and, thanks to a rubber seal, even with the goggles on it is surprisingly quiet. Premium Carl Zeiss lenses meant we never had to worry about fogging or scratches.
Like so many Bike World launches, we saw our fair share of rain, and that’s when the Explore-R’s extra features came in. With an effortless click, the half-strap goggles pop off and the visor slides and locks into place. It transforms the helmet into a solid street-fighter.
The most impressive features, though, are the most subtle. In a pouch beneath where the shell ends is a rain hood. It pulls down and clips to the back to give a perfect seal between jacket and helmet.
There’s also the visor crack system, which opens the visor just enough to let some air in and prevent any fogging.
Our criticisms are minor. When you have the visor and the peak together, you can only open it three-quarters of the way.
And for an otherwise easy shield change system, the screw release bolt for the peak could have done with the same design attention as the rest, since we almost lost the fiddly bolt.
But it’s a premium helmet, at a much less premium price point of £389.99.
For more kit reviews head to bikeworld.co.uk.
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