2026 Isuzu D-Max EV revealed in production form before Australian release

Perth Now30-04-2025

The production version of the Isuzu D-Max EV concept has been revealed at the Birmingham commercial vehicle show in the UK, where customer deliveries of the first battery-electric version of the popular ute will start from March 2026.
Also due on sale in Australia pending final details of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), the D-Max EV emerges faithful to the concept that previewed it last year, complete with a 3500kg towing capacity and 1000kg payload.
This matches 3.0-litre turbo-diesel versions of the D-Max, despite the fact the dual-cab-only EV is fitted with a bespoke DeDion coil-sprung rear suspension system instead of leaf springs for improved handling, and that kerb weight increases to 2350kg – 200kg up from the X-Terrain flagship.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The D-Max EV also comes close to matching its diesel brethren for off-road capability, thanks to a four-wheel drive system courtesy of an electric motor on each axle, although ground clearance drops from 240mm to 210mm and wading depth from 800mm to 600mm, with approach and departure angles of 30.5 and 24.2 degrees respectively.
Providing its permanent 4×4 system with 'extreme off-road capability' is new version of the D-Max's brake-based Rough Terrain Mode.
Combined outputs of the dual-motor powertrain are listed at 140kW (43kW for the front motor, 97kW for the rear), matching the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, though its 325Nm of peak torque (108Nm front, 217Nm rear) falls short of the oil-burner's 450Nm.
The result is claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 10.1 seconds and a top speed of more than 130km/h, and the all-important WLTP range figure is 263km thanks to a 66.9kWh battery pack mounted under the floor, which be DC charged at speeds of up to 50kW and topped up from 20-80 per cent in as little as one hour, says Isuzu. AC 11kW charging to 100 per cent takes 10 hours. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Apart from front quarter and rear 'EV' badging, a grille with blue highlights and a CCS charging port instead of a diesel fuel filler, the electric D-Max looks almost identical to its dual-cab 4×4 diesel stablemates both outside and in.
Inside, there is a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and front/rear parking sensors.
The D-Max EV will be offered in Europe in two trim levels including both low- and high-spec variants, both riding on 18-inch wheels and featuring an energy-saving Eco mode and four levels of selectable brake energy regeneration.
While UK pricing is yet to be announced, the battery-powered D-Max is expected to command a handsome price premium over equivalent diesel variants, just as the LDV eT60 does in Australia with a price of $92,990 before on-road costs – despite being only rear-wheel drive. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Chinese-made eT60 is so far the only pure-electric ute available in Australia, but plug-in hybrid models include the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and, soon, the Ford Ranger – and a host of electric-only utes are on the near horizon, including the LDV eTerron 9 around mid-year, a Toyota HiLux EV in early 2025 and a Ranger EV as soon as 2027.
The D-Max EV was first revealed in concept form in March 2024, when Isuzu's ute division said it would also be released in right-hand drive markets including Thailand, the UK and Australia in due course.
Isuzu Ute Australia said in February that it was considering the release of several electrified versions of the D-Max, including mild-hybrid (MHEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), full electric (EV) and even fuel-cell electric (FCEV) and extended-range electric (EREV) powertrains to meet NVES emissions targets.
At the time, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) deputy general manager Sadanori Sugita confirmed the D-Max EV would be launched in Australia 'in the near future', before IUA managing director Junta Matsui said the company would not lock in any electrified powertrains until full details of the NVES had been announced. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'We haven't decided anything yet, frankly speaking,' he said. 'We leave our options open. We try to minimise the impact to the market of course.
'We're talking to the product development team, talking to Isuzu in Japan, and of course talking to the government side, because not many details have been disclosed yet, even though NVES is going to start in July.
'But our team is talking to the government side so many times but not much detail is disclosed or determined yet, so we need more discussion with the government side, to try to find the best solution for the Australian market, for our side and for the government as well.'
While the NVES officially commenced on January 1 this year, fines for exceeding certain emissions targets won't start accruing until July, before becoming payable from 2028. Isuzu D-Max MHEV Credit: CarExpert
However, Opposition leader Petter Dutton has indicated he will waive financial penalties for auto brands that don't meet increasingly strict emissions targets between mid-2025 and 2029 under the current legislation if the Coalition wins the federal election this weekend.
IUA is particularly exposed to NVES penalties because its sells only two diesel-powered models – the D-Max and its MU-X sister SUV – but Mr Matsui said both vehicles would remain NVES-compliant in the long-term.
'We're going to find a way for sure. We're going to make a nice balance,' he said.
'We try to find a nice balance between being fit for purpose for the Australian people and coping with the NVES targets.'
MORE: Everything Isuzu

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Ford Mustang FX shows the 1990s are far enough away to be retro now

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40 minutes ago

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Ford Mustang FX shows the 1990s are far enough away to be retro now

Have we moved on from the 1960s being the go-to decade for retro automotive design cues? Though the design of the latest S650-series Ford Mustang still nods to the early years of the iconic pony car, as most of its generations have, its latest special edition is looking towards the more recent past. The FX package, as the name suggests, pays homage to the Fox Body Mustang produced from 1979 to 1993, but its design elements are looking distinctly towards the latter end of that run. Pictured alongside a 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the FX package is claimed to have "Fox Body swagger with a modern edge". Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Ford has released only a short teaser video on social media, but US outlets including Car & Driver have published more information on the special edition that's unlikely to come to Australia. It's available with the GT Premium trim (equivalent to our GT), which comes standard with a 5.0-litre V8, and as either a coupe or convertible and with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. It's been revealed in a distinctly 1990s shade of teal – or, as Ford calls, it Adriatic Blue metallic. The 19-inch alloy wheels are finished in Oxford White, which is also used for the pony and 'nostrils' on the grille, and as an outline on other badging on the vehicle's exterior. Ford has also shown off the white tail-lights, reminiscent of the clear-lens units used on export versions of the previous S550. Inside, there are black Recaro seats with plaid inserts. There's also an emblem on the dashboard that uses the same typeface as the old Foxes. Ford had already harkened back to the angular Fox Body with the latest S650 generation, incorporating a layout for its digital instrument cluster intended to resemble the analogue gauges of its predecessor. Amusingly, Toyota has also released a special edition of one of its vehicles called the FX, which also pays homage to a vehicle sold during the 1980s. The Corolla FX Edition is also only an appearance package, but it's based on the standard Corolla hatchback in the US with its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Not quite as exciting as the Mustang FX, then… Other companies to look towards the 1980s and 1990s for design cues include Nissan with its latest Z, which has tail-lights inspired by the Z32 300ZX, while Hyundai's square lighting elements on vehicles like the Ioniq 5 have a distinctly 1980s flavour, even if that electric vehicle (EV) is inspired by a 1970s concept car. MORE: Everything Ford Mustang Content originally sourced from: Have we moved on from the 1960s being the go-to decade for retro automotive design cues? Though the design of the latest S650-series Ford Mustang still nods to the early years of the iconic pony car, as most of its generations have, its latest special edition is looking towards the more recent past. The FX package, as the name suggests, pays homage to the Fox Body Mustang produced from 1979 to 1993, but its design elements are looking distinctly towards the latter end of that run. Pictured alongside a 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the FX package is claimed to have "Fox Body swagger with a modern edge". Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Ford has released only a short teaser video on social media, but US outlets including Car & Driver have published more information on the special edition that's unlikely to come to Australia. It's available with the GT Premium trim (equivalent to our GT), which comes standard with a 5.0-litre V8, and as either a coupe or convertible and with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. It's been revealed in a distinctly 1990s shade of teal – or, as Ford calls, it Adriatic Blue metallic. The 19-inch alloy wheels are finished in Oxford White, which is also used for the pony and 'nostrils' on the grille, and as an outline on other badging on the vehicle's exterior. Ford has also shown off the white tail-lights, reminiscent of the clear-lens units used on export versions of the previous S550. Inside, there are black Recaro seats with plaid inserts. There's also an emblem on the dashboard that uses the same typeface as the old Foxes. Ford had already harkened back to the angular Fox Body with the latest S650 generation, incorporating a layout for its digital instrument cluster intended to resemble the analogue gauges of its predecessor. Amusingly, Toyota has also released a special edition of one of its vehicles called the FX, which also pays homage to a vehicle sold during the 1980s. The Corolla FX Edition is also only an appearance package, but it's based on the standard Corolla hatchback in the US with its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Not quite as exciting as the Mustang FX, then… Other companies to look towards the 1980s and 1990s for design cues include Nissan with its latest Z, which has tail-lights inspired by the Z32 300ZX, while Hyundai's square lighting elements on vehicles like the Ioniq 5 have a distinctly 1980s flavour, even if that electric vehicle (EV) is inspired by a 1970s concept car. MORE: Everything Ford Mustang Content originally sourced from: Have we moved on from the 1960s being the go-to decade for retro automotive design cues? Though the design of the latest S650-series Ford Mustang still nods to the early years of the iconic pony car, as most of its generations have, its latest special edition is looking towards the more recent past. The FX package, as the name suggests, pays homage to the Fox Body Mustang produced from 1979 to 1993, but its design elements are looking distinctly towards the latter end of that run. Pictured alongside a 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the FX package is claimed to have "Fox Body swagger with a modern edge". Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Ford has released only a short teaser video on social media, but US outlets including Car & Driver have published more information on the special edition that's unlikely to come to Australia. It's available with the GT Premium trim (equivalent to our GT), which comes standard with a 5.0-litre V8, and as either a coupe or convertible and with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. It's been revealed in a distinctly 1990s shade of teal – or, as Ford calls, it Adriatic Blue metallic. The 19-inch alloy wheels are finished in Oxford White, which is also used for the pony and 'nostrils' on the grille, and as an outline on other badging on the vehicle's exterior. Ford has also shown off the white tail-lights, reminiscent of the clear-lens units used on export versions of the previous S550. Inside, there are black Recaro seats with plaid inserts. There's also an emblem on the dashboard that uses the same typeface as the old Foxes. Ford had already harkened back to the angular Fox Body with the latest S650 generation, incorporating a layout for its digital instrument cluster intended to resemble the analogue gauges of its predecessor. Amusingly, Toyota has also released a special edition of one of its vehicles called the FX, which also pays homage to a vehicle sold during the 1980s. The Corolla FX Edition is also only an appearance package, but it's based on the standard Corolla hatchback in the US with its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Not quite as exciting as the Mustang FX, then… Other companies to look towards the 1980s and 1990s for design cues include Nissan with its latest Z, which has tail-lights inspired by the Z32 300ZX, while Hyundai's square lighting elements on vehicles like the Ioniq 5 have a distinctly 1980s flavour, even if that electric vehicle (EV) is inspired by a 1970s concept car. MORE: Everything Ford Mustang Content originally sourced from: Have we moved on from the 1960s being the go-to decade for retro automotive design cues? Though the design of the latest S650-series Ford Mustang still nods to the early years of the iconic pony car, as most of its generations have, its latest special edition is looking towards the more recent past. The FX package, as the name suggests, pays homage to the Fox Body Mustang produced from 1979 to 1993, but its design elements are looking distinctly towards the latter end of that run. Pictured alongside a 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the FX package is claimed to have "Fox Body swagger with a modern edge". Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Ford has released only a short teaser video on social media, but US outlets including Car & Driver have published more information on the special edition that's unlikely to come to Australia. It's available with the GT Premium trim (equivalent to our GT), which comes standard with a 5.0-litre V8, and as either a coupe or convertible and with either a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. It's been revealed in a distinctly 1990s shade of teal – or, as Ford calls, it Adriatic Blue metallic. The 19-inch alloy wheels are finished in Oxford White, which is also used for the pony and 'nostrils' on the grille, and as an outline on other badging on the vehicle's exterior. Ford has also shown off the white tail-lights, reminiscent of the clear-lens units used on export versions of the previous S550. Inside, there are black Recaro seats with plaid inserts. There's also an emblem on the dashboard that uses the same typeface as the old Foxes. Ford had already harkened back to the angular Fox Body with the latest S650 generation, incorporating a layout for its digital instrument cluster intended to resemble the analogue gauges of its predecessor. Amusingly, Toyota has also released a special edition of one of its vehicles called the FX, which also pays homage to a vehicle sold during the 1980s. The Corolla FX Edition is also only an appearance package, but it's based on the standard Corolla hatchback in the US with its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Not quite as exciting as the Mustang FX, then… Other companies to look towards the 1980s and 1990s for design cues include Nissan with its latest Z, which has tail-lights inspired by the Z32 300ZX, while Hyundai's square lighting elements on vehicles like the Ioniq 5 have a distinctly 1980s flavour, even if that electric vehicle (EV) is inspired by a 1970s concept car. MORE: Everything Ford Mustang Content originally sourced from: