Exclusive: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 1.9 4x4 AT Spied, Launch Soon?

• The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross facelift will be finally launched in India sometime this year.
• Spied test mule has 1.9-litre, 4-cylinder BSVI-ready diesel engine, paired to a 6-speed automatic and shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system.
• Spotted with a new ‘Prestige’ badge, with updated leather interior upholstery, 7-inch touchscreen with rear parking camera display, climate control, parking sensors.
• Cosmetic changes inside-out should make it look fresh, though these updates have been available internationally since 2017.

We have received some very detailed spy shots of the upcoming Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, confirming many of the changes we had anticipated and adding some surprising details about the premium pickup truck. This time, we even have photos of the interior - showing how Isuzu wants to make the V-Cross more attractive to the niche clientel who would be interested in such a vehicle.

Inside, the D-Max V-Cross receives a big update to make it feel more upmarket. It is easy to see that the dashboard and front cabin design has been completely lifted from the 2018 Isuzu MU-X, but loses the silver accents on the doors and the centre console. Additions include the new 7-inch colour touchscreen with rear parking camera display and black-brown interior upholstery with an emphasis on the darker colours. The interior now looks upmarket but is more practical than the black-and-beige interiors of the current model.

An important update can be seen on the lower centre console - an automatic gearshift lever. Yes, the new D-Max V-Cross will be available with a new 6-speed automatic transmission, along with the shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system. The current model is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Our spy also confirmed that the test mule spied here was being powered by a new 1.9-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine which is BSVI compatible. The same engine is already available in markets like the UK and is Euro-6 compliant, without the need of the additional expensive diesel exhaust fluid. Isuzu may launch the new D-Max V-Cross here as a BSIV compatible model to keep costs lower and change it to being BSVI compatible before the April 1, 2019 deadline. In the UK, the D-Max V-Cross’ motor develops 164PS of maximum power (+30PS) and 360Nm of peak torque (+40Nm).

Exterior cosmetic changes are nothing new, its the same as the facelift models launched in many international markets including Asian markets like Indonesia back in 2017. Changes include a new sharper looking headlamp unit with integrated LED DRLs, a slightly more polished grille and a new air dam design.

The new 17-inch alloy wheels design is similar to that seen on the MU-X launched last year, and that concludes the changes on the outside.

A ‘Prestige’ badge on the boot lid indicates that Isuzu may add a new top-of-the-line variant to the D-Max V-Cross lineup. Currently, the range consists of the Standard 4x4 MT (Rs 15.32 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi) and the High 4x4 MT (Rs 16.82 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi). Expect prices to be revised up slightly when the new model is launched sometime soon.