Since mid-2019, Isuzu has sold 81 units of its flagship D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 bakkie in South Africa, the company told TopAuto.
The AT35 is a collaboration between Isuzu and the Icelandic company Arctic Trucks International, which saw the D-Max 300 4×4 LX treated to an exclusive suspension system and flared wheel arches.
However, Isuzu said this bakkie is “more than a suspension and body lift” when it was unveiled in 2019.
According to Isuzu, it was the only brand at the time that has ever gotten Arctic Truck’s stamp of approval to build a production Arctic Truck model, and this has made the AT35 one of the most capable bakkies on the market.
D-Max Arctic Trucks specifications
The D-Max AT35 is produced at Isuzu’s Struandale assembly plant alongside the standard D-Max models, but it spends four days longer at the factory before being sent to its owner.
During these additional days, two are spent at the assembly line for the flared wheel arches that can accommodate the 35-inch, all-terrain tyres.
Thereafter, the bakkie is placed back on the production line and sent to the paint shop. After the body is painted, the AT35 is once again pulled from the standard assembly line to go to the body shop.
Here, the flared wheel arches, 17-inch alloys, extended side steps, Fox Performance Series suspension system, and branded mudflaps are installed.
An emergency ResQ puncture repair kit is also included in the AT35 as standard.
Once all is done, Isuzu said the AT35 has “unsurpassed off-road capability.”
The Arctic Trucks package will see the specifications of the standard D-Max double cab transformed as follows:
- Vehicle height – From 1,860mm to 1,980mm
- Ground clearance – From 220mm to 268mm
- Water wading depth – From 600mm to 718mm
- Approach angle – From 30° to 36°
- Breakover angle – From 22.4° to 31.4°
- Departure angle – From 22.7° to 28°
- Tare mass – From 2,100kg to 2,130kg
“The end result is firmer damping at high speed, enhanced suppleness at low speeds,” said Isuzu.
“Great on-road and off-road performance and the ability to traverse technical and soft terrain with minimal ground or vehicle impact.”
Driven by the company’s 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine, the Isuzu AT35 underwent no changes to its motor and still puts out 130kW and 380Nm.
The engine connects to a six-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels, and maximum towing capacity remains unchanged at 3,500kg.
The gear ratios were untouched, too, but the odometer had to be recalibrated to compensate for the larger tyres.
Likely due to the additional weight and less-optimal aerodynamics, average fuel consumption for the AT35 also jumped from 7.8l/100km to 8.6l/100km.
Availability
The Isuzu D-Max 300 3.0TD Double Cab 4×4 LX Arctic Trucks AT35 launched in South Africa in June 2019 at a starting price of R785,000.
In January 2022, you can buy one of these bakkies new for R925,100.
Only a handful of Arctic Trucks are then available on the second-hand market, starting from around R800,000.
An Arctic Trucks version of the new-generation D-Max will also be produced, but we do not yet know if it is coming to South Africa.
Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35
Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks assembly line
Keyword: How many Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks have been sold in South Africa