Isuzu D-Max ute due in April

It has already gone on sale in Thailand, the country where it is made and also where it outsells the mighty Toyota Hilux. although the exact date is yet to be confirmed. It is part of a massive overhaul in the one-tonne ute market, with a range of top-class models standing up to the Hilux and challenging established players such as the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton.

Following last year's introduction of the Volkswagen Amarok, Ford released its all-new and Australian developed Ranger ute in September 2011, while Holden is preparing to launch its new Colorado ute by the end of this year.

The Colorado and the Izuzu D-Max were developed off the same base, a fresh ladder-frame chassis with a considerably stronger rear section. It has grown slightly with a wheelbase of 3095mm, up 45mm on the current model. Unlike the Colorado, which switches to its own unique engines, the D-Max will continue to run the same 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine from the current model.

It has been upgraded with some minor tweaks that raise power by 10kW to 130kW and lift torque by 20Nm to 380Nm. Isuzu says the new engine is still very efficient, but hasn't issued an official fuel economy figure yet. A new five-speed automatic will be made available, joining the standard five-speed manual transmission.

Isuzu Ute Australia is still finalizing its line-up, but says it will bring a single cab, space cab and crew cab. The new model features fresh exterior styling, a new interior including which includes an upgraded sound system incorporating Bluetooth phone connectivity. There is more safety gear with electronic stability control (ESC) now standard on all models. Front and side airbags are also available, while curtain airbags have also been engineered for the vehicle.