By Khulekani Dumisa

Recently we travelled to Port Elizabeth where Isuzu SA reintroduced its X-Rider Black, a limited-edition double cab 4×2 that is based on the 2.5 litre diesel D-Max, for another limited period. Product Communications Manager, Nandi Matomela, says “the X-Rider Black was reintroduced for a limited period after high demand from customers since the run out of the previous edition.”

Exterior and accessories

The X-Rider is painted exclusively in the Black Meet Kettle body colour, has blacked out wheels, and mat black accessories. The package includes a black front bumper guard, projector headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, as well as front fog lamps. The X-Rider moves on 18-inch black alloy wheels with red Isuzu badges. The tyres are 255/60R18 All Terrain Tyres from General Tyre. The black theme continues with matt black roof rails, black side steps and a black sports bar. The X-Rider Black also comes with a factory fitted tonneau cover and a 2.1 tonne towbar. The exterior makes the bakkie quite desirable. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s in the market to compete with far more premium products based on its aggressive and stylish looks.

Interior

Inside, the X-Rider Black gets standard black leather seats featuring red stitching on the bolsters and the “X-Rider” logo embroidered on the headrest. Red stitching is also used for the leather-trimmed steering wheel which has a red Isuzu badge. Piano black trim is employed on the vents, radio, front console as well as door trim inserts that incorporate a red “X” in keeping with the theme.

An 8-inch AX2 touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth for audio streaming and handsfree calling is available as standard. The system also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is fairly easy to use.

Safety

The X-Rider Black offers a number of active and passive safety features which include Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake-Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), driver and passenger airbags, and Side-Impact Protection Bars.

Power

Power is derived from Isuzu’s tried and tested 2.5 litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine with an unchanged 100 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque. Isuzu claims a combined fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km. We drove the vehicle for nearly 160 km on mixed road surfaces including bumpy provincial roads, gravel and tar. Naturally the vehicle felt home on all surfaces managing to deliver a fairly comfortable ride quality. Changing gears feels quite involved when you begin your drive and the engine also sounds quite loud. Things do get smoother as you settle into your drive and you soon forget that you are behind a workhorse. This is good for the car as the X-Rider Black is aimed squarely at the leisure market. “It’s bold, stylish and in your face. The X-Rider Black is for people who want to stand out in the urban jungle. It brings all the familiar Isuzu attributes of rugged reliability but will not look out of place parked in an upmarket urban-setting,” says Dominic Rimmer, IMSA Executive Technical Services. The X-Rider is not the most powerful Isuzu you can drive but the car is far from sluggish and offers a decent fuel consumption as we managed a respectable 8.2 l/100km on our launch route.

Price

The X-Rider Black is priced at R462,000. The price is inclusive of Isuzu Complete Care, comprising a five-year/120,000km bumper-to-bumper warranty and Isuzu Roadside Assistance, a five-year/unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty and a five-year/90,000 km Service Plan.