The latest Isuzu D-Max is being given the Arctic Trucks off-road treatment, and this splendidly orange pre-production version is one of the stars of the 2021 Commercial Vehicle Show.
Set to go on sale in spring 2022, the new Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 turns the regular D-Max pickup truck – already a competent off-road tool – into something suitable for more extreme use.
>> CV Show 2021 full report and all the info
What’s the difference between the AT35 and a regular D-Max?
Arctic Trucks started out in Iceland, and is famous for creating hardcore off-road versions of all kinds of vehicles, including the previous-generation Isuzu D-Max.
The AT35 conversion is named for the size of its tyres, which are a substantial 35 inches in diameter. Fitting these onto a pickup requires modifications not just to the suspension – upgraded to Bilstein Performance specification – but also a strengthened chassis and modifications to the bodywork. Hence the enormous new wheelarches, front and rear.
The various Arctic Trucks and AT35 badges on the outside are complemented on the inside by Arctric Trucks head rests, floor mats and sill covers. You also get leather-finished seats and impressive roster of standard equipment – though that’s the case with practically the entire D-Max range these days.
These include lots of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, such as autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and emergency lane keeping – all presumably recalibrated to suit the AT35’s enhanced size.
Infotainment is taken care of by a 9.0-inch touchscreen system with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, eight speakers and a subwoofer. You also get cruise control, and Arctic Trucks side steps to help you scramble inside.
When does the new Arctic Trucks D-Max go on sale and how much will it cost?
While it’s still only a prototype at this stage, Isuzu has unusually already given us an on-sale date of 14 February 2022 – you can do your own Valentine’s Day puns here (Isuzu certainly has).
There’s no word on pricing just yet, but you can expect this to be very much in the same league as the Ford Ranger Raptor and cost somewhere between £40,000 and £50,000 before VAT.
The D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 should retain full commercial vehicle type approval and status, however. And being an officially developed product, put together by Isuzu and Arctic Trucks technicians, it also retains the standard five-year / 125,000-mile Isuzu warranty.
Also read:
>> Our full Isuzu D-Max review (2021 onwards)
