Only a few weeks after it was caught on test in Europe, the 2020 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross pickup has been spotted in India. The camouflaged prototype looks pretty similar to the one which was doing the rounds in Scandinavia. Given that Isuzu’s Sri City facility is one of the primary production bases for the pickup, it is not a surprise that it is being tested here before the world premiere.
The new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross will feature a completely revamped front fascia as revealed by the European prototype but the overall size and shape will remain more or less untouched. We expect the pickup truck to feature fresh dashboard design and a lot more features than the current version.
The noteworthy improvements include sleeker LED headlamps, larger front grille, sportier bumpers, new alloy wheel pattern, and revised tailgate design with new combination lights. The camouflage conceals changes in sheet metal design but expect new character lines and subtle changes in contours. In the international markets, the D-Max will be available in single-cab, double-cab and space-cab configurations but like its predecessor, only the double-cab variant is expected to be available in India.
It’s not just gonna be a superficial nip and tuck. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is expected to ditch its current 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine in favor of a more efficient and powerful 1.9-liter unit. The downsized motor is already available in the current model in select European markets. Six-speed manual and six-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions are likely to be on offer. Needless to say, higher variants would sport 4×4 system.
Going with the global trend, the new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross would receive state-of-the-art connectivity features and an array of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) to stay competitive in advanced markets. It remains to be seen how many of these features would filter into the India-spec version.
While the Japanese pickup truck is positioned as an affordable work horse in European markets, it enjoys a premium status in India where it targets off-road and adventure enthusiasts. The Isuzu MU-X, the SUV derivative of the V-Cross is also expected to receive the comprehensive update in due course. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is currently priced between INR 15.26 lakhs to 16.76 lakhs (ex-showroom, Chennai). Expect the new model to be priced slightly higher owing to additional equipment.
