- Responsive turbo-diesel engine
- Spacious and comfortable cabin
- Good steering feel
- Off-road and towing capability
- No telescopic steering adjustment
- Five-speed transmission has long throw and rubbery action
- Basic interior
Review: Isuzu RC.I D-Max cab chassis (2012-17)
Overview
Released in July 2012, the Isuzu RC Series I (RC.I) D-Max cab chassis was available in single cab, dual cab and space cab bodies, the latter with reverse-opening ‘wing’ doors. Manufactured in Thailand, the RC D-Max was powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The five-speed ‘Rev-Tronic’ automatic transmission had a sequential sports mode and an adaptive-learning function which monitored brake and throttle use to select the most appropriate gearshift and lock-up points.
Jointly developed with the Holden RG Colorado , the RC D-Max had independent, double wishbone front suspension. All cab chassis models were fitted with high-ride rear suspension which utilised overslung long-span semi-elliptic leaf springs. Four-wheel drive models had a ‘Terrain Command’ dial in the centre console which enabled the driver to ‘shift on the fly’ from two- to four-wheel drive at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Four-wheel drive models were fitted with steel plate guards for the sump, transfer case and fuel tank, while the low range gears had a 2.482:1 reduction ratio.
Compared to the Isuzu RA D-Max cab chassis , the RC D-Max had a 45 mm longer wheelbase (at 3095 mm) and 50 mm wider front and rear tracks; major service intervals were also extended from 10,000 km to 20,000 km. The D-Max had a braked towing capacity of 2500 kg for RWD and 3000 kg for 4WD models, while load capacity was in excess of 1000 kg for all models.
| Cab | Variant | Engine | Drive | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single cab |
EX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 4WD | 5sp man. | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-3000 rpm |
| SX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD, 4WD |
5sp man. | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-3000 rpm | |
| 4WD | 5sp auto | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm | |||
| Space cab |
SX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 4WD | 5sp man. | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-3000 rpm |
| 5sp auto | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm | ||||
| Crew cab |
SX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD (2015-17) |
5sp auto | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm |
| 4WD | 5sp man. | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-3000 rpm | |||
| 5sp auto | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 380 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Isuzu D-Max cab chassis included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Euro NCAP testing
In Euro NCAP testing , the Isuzu RC D-Max Crew cab received a four star safety rating which included an 83 per cent adult occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection for the driver’s chest and legs was rated as marginal. In the side impact test, maximum points were awarded; the D-Max also performed well in the more severe side impact test. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 30.48 out of 37.
In separate ANCAP testing of models that were released in November 2013, the RC D-Max Crew cab received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.58 out of 37. In the front offset crash test, protection of the front occupants’ heads and upper legs was rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as adequate. The EuroNCAP results in the side and pole tests were carried over.
Features: Isuzu D-Max cab chassis
Standard features for the Isuzu D-Max EX included a two speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth audio streaming, air conditioning, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, vinyl floor, 12 volt power outlet (in the glovebox) and an immobiliser.
The Isuzu D-Max SX was further equipped with cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and power mirrors.
Space cab models were fitted with twin pull-down jump seats, while crew cab models were fitted with split and folding rear seats.
Brochure and specifications
Review: Isuzu RC.II D-Max cab chassis (2017-on)
Overview
Officially released in Australia in February 2017, the Isuzu RC Series II (RC.II) D-Max was powered by a new 3.0-litre 4JJ1-TC turbo diesel engine which had a variable geometry turbocharger, larger exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler and complied with Euro 5 emissions standards.
The 4JJ1-TC engine was available with either:
- A new six-speed Aisin AWR6B45 automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter for the second through sixth forward gears. The transmission had an ‘adaptive learning’ function which adjusted to the driver’s style and circumstances; a sequential shift mode also provided on-demand shifting; or,
- A new six-speed Isuzu MVL-6N manual transmission with close ratios, triple cone synchronisers and a 275 mm diameter clutch plate.
According to Isuzu, the RC.II D-Max also had reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) due to new sound and vibration insulation.
Visually, the Isuzu RC.II D-Max could be identified by its new bonnet, halogen headlight assemblies, grille and front bumper.
| Cab | Variant | Engine | Trans. | Drive | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single cab |
EX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man. | 4WD | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 430 Nm at 2000-2200 rpm |
| SX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man. | RWD, 4WD |
130 kW at 3600 rpm | 430 Nm at 2000-2200 rpm | |
| 6sp auto | 4WD | |||||
| Space cab |
SX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
4WD | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 430 Nm at 2000-2200 rpm |
| Crew cab |
SX | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp auto | RWD | 130 kW at 3600 rpm | 430 Nm at 2000-2200 rpm |
| 6sp man., 6sp auto |
4WD |
Safety equipment
Compared to the Isuzu RC.I D-Max, standard safety equipment for the RC.II D-Max was unchanged.
From April 2018, the all Isuzu D-Max cab chassis variants – except the D-Max SX Single Cab Chassis 4×2 low-ride – were equipped with Trailer Sway Control.
Features: Isuzu D-Max EX
Standard features for the Isuzu D-Max EX cab chassis included a four speaker sound system, air conditioning, halogen multi-reflector headlights, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, a 12 volt power outlet (in the glovebox), vinyl flooring, a trip computer and an immobiliser. Four-wheel drive D-Max models also had steel plate guards for the sump, transfer case and leading edge of the fuel tank
Features: D-Max SX
Compared to the D-Max EX, the Isuzu D-Max SX was further equipped with a six speaker sound system (except for the single cab chassis 4WD), seven-inch touch screen audio unit with USB/iPod inputs and Bluetooth audio streaming, cruise control, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear window demister. The D-Max SX Crew Cab, however, had an eight speaker sound system.
Brochure
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