Built for southern Africa

ISUZU recently introduced their seventh generation vehicle in the Swakop River, amid much music, lights, fire dancers and laser technology.

No doubt, Moon Valley was a fitting setting to launch what is probably one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. Top Revs was one of the few invited guests, and had the opportunity to test drive the Isuzu on precisely the terrain it was built for.

And the vehicle certainly didn”;t disappoint. Not on the tarred road, rugged terrain or even the hostile dunes of the Namib.

And on top of that, the vehicle”;s technology never ceased to amaze.

Available in a wide range, varying from single cab 4x4s to SUVs and double cab 4x4s, the new Isuzu will suit a wide range of tastes.

Before leaving for the test drives, we were briefed about the car”;s capabilities, safety features and specifications.

From there, it was on to the first stretch from Goanikontes via the tarred road behind the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, before taking on some of the dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and returning to Goanikontes via some of the most pristine and scenic gravel roads in Moon Valley, where protocol and park rules were strictly followed throughout the trip.

The new Isuzu Bold range doesn”;t only boast with its looks and power, but also with a host of advanced driver technology, which sees it proudly standing out in terms of safety.

“It is probably one of the most class leading vehicles in the world today, while the Isuzu Driver Assistance System has the most advanced radar detection system in the world. IT can assist you with driving, cruise control, lane assist and much more,” managing director of Auas Motors Gerhard Vermeulen told Top Revs.

Trying out the adaptive cruise control while driving behind the dune belt made our journey a breeze, as the car literally thinks for the driver.

It detects what is ahead, controls speeds and automatically slows down to a safe following distance, where it will remain until conditions are clear to overtake. This it will only do when the driver overrides the set speed.

The stereo camera also assists in terms of steering, to keep the car in the centre of the lane. It will even warn the driver in cases of crossing lanes, through vibration on the steering wheel or warning on the multi-information display.

The stereo camera is windscreen mounted and monitors the road ahead to recognise other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other obstacles.

The Bold range comes in a wide range of models and is available in the 1.9L or 3.0L diesel engines, delivering 110kW and 140kW@3600rpm respectively.

The vehicle also comes in either a manual or automatic 6-speed transmission, while fuel consumption is well managed and the 1.9 engine”;s combined consumption average, between 7.3 and 7.6/100km, and the 3.0 engine, ranges between 7.9 and 8.2L/100km.

The car”;s interior speaks volumes when it comes to luxury, style and finesse. Though the Isuzu Bold series has “;tough”; in mind, the interior offers the opposite, allowing occupants to arrive in comfort and style.

Even the colours of the new Isuzu are striking and appealing to a wide range of consumers.

Testifying to the world-renowned Isuzu”;s durability and reliability, Vermeulen said the cars were tested in the harshest of terrains and extreme temperatures, to ensure the end product is the ultimate Isuzu.

The D of D-Max is true to Japanese culture, representing the dragon, which is evident in the design of the seventh generation”;s aggressive facia grill, representing two fangs.

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