Isuzu and Walkinshaw cooking up a tougher D-Max

Isuzu Ute Australia and Walkinshaw are working on a tougher-looking version of the popular D-Max.

A government approval filing published this week details a vehicle called the Blade.

It notes “modifications are styling only”, with bigger wheels and different springs increasing height by 26.5mm up front and 29mm at the rear.

No photos are included in the filing.

The Blade also gains a sailplane, a high-mounted brake light, wheel arches, and a sump guard.

The filing also notes axle ratings and gross vehicle mass (GVM) are unchanged.

That indicates the Blade is likely Isuzu’s rival for the likes of the Mazda BT-50 Thunder, featuring a tougher look but not much in the way of extra capability.

“Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) and Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) are collaborating on possible future product developments—however, we are not currently able to provide any further details,” an Isuzu Ute Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.

It appears likely the Blade will stick with the D-Max’s 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

The presence of an approval filing indicates a launch is coming soon, though Isuzu hasn’t provided specific launch timing.

This isn’t Walkinshaw’s first rodeo working over a ute.

It’s collaborated in the past with Mitsubishi (for the Triton Xtreme) and Volkswagen (for various Amarok models), among others.

MORE: Everything Isuzu D-Max