You Can Buy Isuzu's Wildest Concept, But You Better Have A Big Lawn
A one-off concept truck with 38-inch tires and 239 miles on the clock is for sale, but owning it comes with serious tradeoffs
- The Isuzu D-Max Concept X is now for sale in Australia.
- It features a widebody kit, 38-inch tires, and a 7-inch lift.
- The modified truck is priced at AU$65,000 or US$42,300.
If the stock Isuzu D-Max ever seemed a little too sensible for your end-of-the-world scenarios, you're in luck. The rugged, over-the-top D-Max Concept X has reappeared online after its 2018 debut and is now officially hunting for a new owner.
More: Isuzu's New Pickup Is Luxury In The Front, Business In The Back
According to Isuzu, the whole project started as a bit of a joke after Team D-Max (EMG) came across some oversized tires at a 4WD show. That offhand moment spiraled into two outrageous builds, one based on the D-Max pickup, the other on the mechanically related MU-X SUV.
Eight years on, only the truck has resurfaced, now listed for sale without its twin.
The Concept X is based on the previous-generation D-Max, though the similarities more or less end there. Visually and mechanically, the truck has been taken to extremes.
It rides on enormous 38-inch mud-terrain tires, while the body has been reworked with flared fenders, a custom bumper, vented hood, red-tinted headlights, and a modified bed that carries a pair of spare wheels.
The suspension has received a ridiculous 7-inch (178 mm) lift kit, remote reservoir shocks, and a five-link coil setup at the rear, replacing the leaf springs of the donor vehicle. As a result, the modified truck has a 50-degree approach angle, allowing it to climb large rocks in the Australian outback.
More: Isuzu Built The Coolest Retro Truck You've Never Heard Of
The concept maintains the factory 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine. That means 174 hp (130 kW or 177 PS) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. It might not be the most powerful thing on the trail, but it doesn't need to be.
Pricing With A Catch
The asking price for the concept is AU$ 65,000 (US$ 42,300). That's a fair chunk less than the new Isuzu D-Max Blade, currently the priciest trim in the lineup, starting at AU$ 78,990 (US$ 56,200).
There is a catch, though. The Concept X isn't street legal due to its extreme modifications. That limits its use to private land, off-road parks, or collector garages. Still, for the right buyer with enough space and a soft spot for one-off curiosities, it could be the ultimate toy.