Walkinshaw is an Australian tuner which likes to make some really capable machines. They recently showcased their new generation Everest and now have showcased a new D-Max which they are calling the Blade edition. As far as naming special editions go, this one is a hit.
Lets dive right into the changes. Walkinshaw likes to do things very OEM+ and the Blade edition D-Max gets new suspension, new wheels and tyres, and some aesthetic bits as well. There is a new grille, some new fender flares to accommodate the larger wheels, 17-inch flow-formed alloy wheels, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT AT tyres which measure 275/65/R17, a runner bar in the rear bed and some cool decals on the sides and at the back. On the inside, there are “Blade” logo on the headrests, floor mats and side sills.
Off-road wise, there are new skid plates to protect the underbody, some rock sliders which also act as footrests, and a completely new suspension system which has been locally tuned and it gains a 29-mm lift compared to the stock vehicle. The dampers have been replaced for 35mm twin tube ones from MTV.
Walkinshaw has not altered the engine and it still remains the same 3.0L turbodiesel unit which produces 187 bhp and 450 Nm of torque and is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The builds will be numbered and there is a plaque signifying that on the gear-knob and in the engine bay. It will priced from AU$76,990 (around Rs 46.92 lakh).
The new generation D-Max is not sold in India still so there is no reason to talk about this truck in the Indian context but Isuzu is losing on a big market due to it not being attentive enough to our needs. The new generation has all the features and is a pretty capable truck but we are still being fed the old vehicle which is not really relevant in the market anymore.
