Isuzu X-Rider Black: limited edition bakkie with unique styling hits the market

The Isuzu bakkie is back in black with the announcement of the X-Rider Black limited-edition model.

Only 150 of the X-Rider Black units will be produced at Isuzu’s Struandale plant in Gqeberha this year, available to South African customers as well as those in other African markets.

Each X-Rider Black will be numbered, with a special plaque fitted on the left-side inner fender, and it gains several unique styling enhancements.

There will be three derivatives of the double cab bakkie with the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or automatic in 4x2 guise, or the 4x4 automatic with shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive engagement.

Engine

Under the bonnet, it’s fitted with Isuzu’s 1.9 DDi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 110kW and 350Nm of torque.

It’s the same engine that achieved an economy figure of 5.58l/100km during the Isuzu One Tank Challenge – driving 1,452km from Midrand to Cape Town without refuelling.

Exterior

Obviously black dominates with it being the only X-Rider variant available in Onyx Black.

The theme is carried through to the rest of the exterior, including the 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels wrapped in General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres with red ‘Isuzu’ lettering on the black centre caps.

It gains a tubular black sports bar featuring a black plate spanning the vertical spars that is laser cut to reveal an ‘X’ emblem.

The front fascia and grille get Gun Metallic treatment and red ‘Isuzu’ lettering copied from the range-topping D-Max V-Cross, while the tailgate Isuzu decal receives a silver outline.

The door handles, B-pillars, side-mirror covers and tailgate handle are all finished in black, while standard dark grey roof rails are fitted.

Interior

Inside, it’s a black and red theme with red contrast stitching on the leather seats and embroidered red "X" logos on the headrests.

The dashboard and door handle surrounds receive red accents contrasted with piano black trim, while the steering wheel gets similar treatment with red stitching and a red ‘Isuzu’ logo in the centre. Red stitching also features on the gear shift boot and parking brake, with X-Rider-specific floor mats.

With a tow rating of 2.1 tons, a towbar is included as a factory fitment.

Safety and technology

As with the standard X-Rider, it has cruise control, a seven-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi compatibility, a rear USB port, rear park assist and a rear-view camera.

Safety is taken care of by Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC) on the 4x4 model, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS).

It’s also fitted with driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, as well as a driver’s knee airbag.

 It comes with a five-year/90,000km service plan, five-year/120,000km warranty and roadside assistance, and five-year/unlimited distance anti-corrosion warranty. 

Pricing

• 1.9 Ddi D/Cab HR X-Rider Black: R664 100.
• 1.9 Ddi D/Cab HR X-Rider Black AT: R685 600.
• 1.9 Ddi D/Cab 4x4 X-Rider Black AT RHD: R770 400.