2019 Isuzu D-Max V-Cross to get more powerful engine, automatic transmission

The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is undoubtedly the most popular lifestyle pick-up vehicle in India. The D-Max V-Cross has become popular among the off-road enthusiasts and also weekend road-trippers. This is also the best-selling vehicle from the manufacturer and offers an intimidating look on the road. Isuzu is working to launch the new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross in India and the vehicle has been caught testing in India under a heavy camouflage too.

The new V-Cross has been caught testing around Pune. The new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is already available in the international markets and looks quite aggressive. More on the looks later. The upcoming version will have a major mechanical update under the hood in the form of a new engine. According to an article, the upcoming car would come with a 1.9-litre diesel engine instead of the current 2.5-litre oil burner. The new 1,890cc engine produces a maximum of 150 PS of power and a peak torque fo 350 Nm. In comparison, the current 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross produces a maximum of 138 PS and 320 Nm.

With the new engine, Isuzu will also introduce a new transmission with the facelifted version of the pick-up truck. Isuzu offers a 6-speed torque converter on the international version of the D-Max V-Cross and the same would be launched in the Indian market. There would be a manual transmission as well and it is not known if they will launch the 4X4 version with an automatic transmission in the Indian market. The Thailand-spec V-Cross does not offer the automatic transmission with the 4X4 combo but it is available in the European markets. The Indian market is likely to get the combinations available in the Thailand market to keep the price under check. Interestingly, the manual transmission could be paired up with the current 2.5-litre engine and the new 1.9-litre engine may only offer the automatic transmission. In its current version, Isuzu does not offer an automatic transmission in the Indian market.

The introduction of the new engine is likely because of the upcoming stricter emission norms in the Indian market. The BS-VI emission norms would be applicable from April 2020 and manufacturers are keeping their products ready to avoid last minute changes. The 1.9-litre engine is BS-VI ready and can be updated as soon as the new emission norms come into force.

The new Isuzu D-Max V-Cross come with an updated front grille, new bumper, new headlamps on the outside. The test vehicle has been spotted with new alloy wheels but we are not sure if they are bigger in size than the current 17-inch stock alloys. Changes have been done to the interiors too. The lifestyle pick-up is expected to get a new dashboard, centre console and driver console when launched.

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