Toets 'n Bakkie: Isuzu KB X-Rider a black beauty - EE Publishers
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Toets ‘n Bakkie: Isuzu KB X-Rider a black beauty
Don’t ask me why, but Isuzu’s new X-Rider reminds me of the story about the horse, Black Beauty (maybe that’s just because they’re both beautiful in black). The story was written in 1877 by Anna Sewell. It is narrated by the horse himself, describing his carefree days as a colt and his difficult life as a London cab horse until his retirement in the country.
Isuzu Motors South Africa introduced its double-cab limited edition bakkie version of the X-Rider, available exclusively in black (or “black meets kettle” as Isuzu calls it), which gives this special model its aggressive and distinctive appearance.
Die sogenaamde voertuig-egskeidings kry net nie einde nie; eers was dit Mazda en Ford en nou General Motors en Isuzu, maar gelukkig het Isuzu in Japan ‘n aansienlike bedrag daarin belê om die fabriek in Port Elisabeth te vergroot sodat daar tot ‘n nuwe nutsvoertuig die lig gaan sien, maar ek brei by ‘n latere geleentheid daaroor uit.
Soos Black Beauty is die bakkie ook swart van kop tot toon, behalwe vir Isuzu Motors se rooi naam. Hy onderskei hom hoofsaaklik van sy “gewone” broers met uitsonderlike afwerking soos swart, monsteragtige voorbuffer met rooster-skermplate; hoofligte met geïntegreerde LED-dagryligte; misligte; swart sytrappe; swart beskermingstawe in die bak en swart leersitplekke (met rooi gestikte insetsels). Verder is die kajuit – pikswart!
Van die oorspronklike X-Rider sou daar in 2016 slegs ‘n eksklusiewe 700 vervaardig word maar die bakkie was so gewild dat Isuzu besluit het, bogger die eksklusiwiteit en vervaardig nog steeds die X-Rider. Daar word ook beplan om ‘n beperkte aantal X-Rider Blacks te vervaardig. Of dit so sal wees, sal ons maar moet sien.
Driving around in this all-black Isuzu was quite the experience. A plumber even stopped me to find out who had done the “excellent paint job”!
The X-Rider is only available in two-wheel drive with a diff-lock option and five-speed gear box. No changes were made under the bonnet of this bakkie and I actually enjoyed the Isuzu’s well-known abilities.
Since the last test I did on the Double Cab 2,5 l turbo diesel a few years ago, the power has improved from 87 kW/280 Nm to 100 kW/320 Nm, which doesn’t differ from the KB range.
I have complained about the lack of power on the previous models but this “new” engine is a great improvement, although it still falls behind the pack when comes to refinement and power.
What also sets this Isuzu apart from other agro-looking rivals is that the X-Rider is positioned towards the more affordable end of the range.
Specifications: Isuzu X-Rider Black
Engine 2499 cc D-Tec Turbo Diesel
0 – 100 km/h 13,5 sec (approximate)
Consumption 7,6/100 km (claimed)
Price R426 300
Warrantee/Service plan Five years or
120 000 km / Five years or 90 000 km
I drove to my favourite 4×4 testing palce just for the hell of it. Of course, I didn’t test its 4×4 ability because it is not a four-wheel drive, but this bakkie handles the minor hiccups with grace.
Ná my rondrits op die grondpaaie lyk Black Beauty se black maar grys! Oppad terug trek die vaal bakkie ook toe gladnie meer soveel aandag nie en ek besef dis darem nie ‘n kleur vir ‘n kontrakteur of ‘n plaasboer se bakkie nie. Afgesien daarvan, geniet ek die rit: die stuur en sitplek kan nommerpas gestel word maar die agterste beenspasie is maar bietjie knap soos by die meeste dubbelkajuit-bakkies.
Behalwe vir die Navara het die Isuzu nog altyd vir my die mees gebalanseerde rit tussen teer en grond. Met party bakkies moet jy maar liewer jou valstande uithaal, anders skud hulle sommer vanself uit. Die stadaard-toebehore van dié bakkie is lugreëling; kragstuur; goeie klankstelsel met Bluetooth; sentrale sluitstelsel; lugsakke vir die bestuurder en voorste passasies; stabiliseerbeheer, en ook natuurlik ABS-remme.
Soos met Black Beauty was alles ook nie altyd sonskyn en rose by Isuzu nie, maar dit lyk my die manne (en vroue, voor ek weer raas kry) vindingryk is en dat die skeiding met General Motors op die langeduur miskien net voordelig kan wees.
The Electrical Contractor Toets n bakkie: Isuzu KB X-Rider: a black beauty vector