For those with an adventurous spirit, the ‘Basecamp’ edition of the Isuzu D-Max has all the equipment needed – even the kitchen sink!
Built with Arctic Truck input, the very capable AT35 has the ability to get you to most places – and now you can stay there for the night too.
That’s thanks to the addition of a full suite of integrated camping equipment to cater for any snoozing and cooking requirements.
The vehicle offers a wide range of equipment for camping Indeed, the Basecamp comes equipped with creature comforts such as a hard-shell ARB Esperance roof top tent with ladder and a kitchen that slides out of the back of the vehicle.
The ARB Roller Drawer System includes a three-burner gas stove, an electric fridge and a collapsible kitchen sink. The fit and finish of the sliding kitchen feels slick and solid, rolling out with nice motion and clicking into place with purpose.
This isn’t just a gimmick – it’s everything you need for a few nights of camping in the wilderness.
It’s particularly useful if you’re on a trip without a specific itinerary as it offers that go anywhere, stay anywhere flexibility.
The slide-out kitchen in use The Basecamp edition has added an extra flourish to the already-impressive AT35, which is no ordinary pick-up and was designed to tackle the harshest conditions on earth.
The involvement of Arctic Trucks is significant because the company, founded in Iceland in 1990, has unparalleled expertise in the re-engineering and conversion of four-wheel-drive vehicles to conquer inhospitable environments.
As the world’s leading Polar vehicle operator, the company has achieved world records and firsts, including the first vehicles to reach the magnetic North Pole, the fastest overland journey to the South Pole, the longest distance expedition in Polar history.
A view of the vehicle with the tent in place The regular D-Max is no shrinking violet, but the Arctic Truck treatment has made it even more imposing.
The ride height has been raised by over 50mm on each axle, creating 266mm of ground clearance at the front and 290mm at the back, while 17-inch alloys are mated with 35-inch BFGoodrich all terrain tyres.
Bilstein performance suspension, adjusted for Arctic Trucks, is also fitted to the vehicle to provide extra resilience against deep ruts.
You also get a locking rear diff, hill descent control, flared wheelarch extensions and side steps, plus a Bi-LED flood light bar.
Happily, all the off-road additions don’t come at the cost of payload, towing capacity, performance and capability.
The side of the vehicle is adorned with Basecamp logos With a payload of over 1 tonne, a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes
The powertrain hasn’t been changed from that found on the regular vehicle. It’s a 1.9-litre inline-four diesel offering164ps and 266lb ft, performing the sprint from 0-62mph about 13 seconds.
Behind the wheel, it handles better than you might expect on the normal roads, with the speed-sensitive power steering working well to disguise the vehicle’s considerable bulk.
The cabin feels like a pleasant place to be, with highlights including a leather steering wheel, a nine-inch multimedia display and an eight-speaker audio system.
In terms of looks, there’s no shortage of rugged design features to allude to the vehicle’s go-anywhere capabilities, while the Basecamp logo also stands out. There’s an aggressive-looking custom front grille that includes Lazer Elite 6 lamps in the grille, while the tent on top of the roof also makes people look twice, even when folded down.
Isuzu D-Max AT35 Basecamp
ENGINE: 1.9-litre in-line diesel
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 13 seconds and top speed of 112mph
PAYLOAD: Over 1 tonne
TOWING CAPACITY: 3.5tonne
TRANSMISSION: Automatic, all wheel drive
WARRANTY: Five-year, 125,000 miles
PRICE: AT35 priced from £52,495
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