PLAYING TO D MAX

As regular readers will know, when I’m invited on a new vehicle launch within the UK, I like to check Trailwise 2 and search for any local green lanes in the vicinity that I can explore, and with the northern launch of the new D-Max being just outside Buxton, I had plenty of lanes to choose from.

When it comes to 4x4 launches, manufacturers like to organise a challenging off-road course as well as a decent road route, and for the new D-Max the Isuzu team had created a fairly challenging off-road course around a quarry, as you can read about in May’s issue.

However, I wanted to give it a realworld sort of test, so when it was time to take it out on the open road, I grabbed the keys for the basic single cab D-Max and went off in search of TW2 reference, SK0171-03 or Macclesfield Old Road as it’s also known as.

Macclesfield Old Road isn’t necessarily a long, or demanding lane, but it does offer some rather splendid, if not bleak views over the moors.

Heading from west to east, SK0171-03 begins easily enough with a packed stone surface, in fact on my way home later in the day, I partly drove it in the road biased Lexus UX press car I had for the week.

The going was quite easy up until you reach the highest point, then the downward section becomes quite rocky. When you reach this point you’ll see that large rocks and wooden beams have been strategically placed on the side of the lane to try and discourage off-piste activity that mars the area.

First gear in low-box was called for as I carefully threaded the brand new D-Max with less than 500 miles on the clock down the rock strewn lane. The were a couple of large rocks that would have left a rather large dent the sill, but the lane is wide enough to avoid the worst of them - if you choose to.

Arriving back at the quarry, I decided to swap vehicles and take the top of the range D-Max V-Cross out for a spin, and of course along Macclesfield Old Road, but before I did that I couldn’t resist a quick blast around the rally cross section that the team had set out.

Jumping into the passenger seat, next to a professional rally driver, we set off around the twisting route, barely missing the camera crew, who were sat on the edge of the course catching some epic images, I assume!

The purpose was of course to experience how stable and agile the new D-Max was, and it was exactly that. The last time I had so much fun in a pickup was when I had the opportunity to blast around a similar rally cross course in the Series 6 Mitsubishi L200 down at Silverstone.

The only difference was that I was driving, and sat beside me shouting instructions was British racing driver and The Grand Tour test driver, Abbie Eaton (subtle name dropping!)

Walking towards the V-Cross I spotted fellow Northern Group of Motoring Writer Andy Harris, who readers may remember as a regular-ish contributor to The Mud Life.

An idea sprung into my head - let’s take a couple of vehicles up there for a bit of a play and photo-shoot.

Long story short, Ben from www.DrivingTorque.com (another Northern Group of Motoring Writers member), decided to join us, as did one of the official photographers.

In a three car convoy, I decided that we’d begin at the eastern end of Macclesfield Old Road, and drive upwards along the more challenging section.

Engaging low-box in the V-Cross and selecting Drive, the D-Max did what the D-Max does best, and tackled the rocks steps with total ease. I wanted to write about how each vehicle scrambled for grip as the suspension flexed and vehicles lurched from side to side in an epic and perilous man and machine vs mother nature sort of journey, but it wasn’t that dramatic.

Sometimes a 4x4 gives you a false sense of security. What I mean by that is certain terrain maybe quite gnarly, but from the comfort of the drivers seat you’re cocooned in a safe place and it doesn’t feel half as bad as it looks, and that’s the feeling I got from the D-Max.

After I’d threaded my way over the largest of rocks, both for fun and so the photographer could get some decent shots, I pulled over to watch both Ben and Andy drive a similar line.

It was more impressive watching them tackle the sections as I could watch as both vehicles flexed their way up the rock-step strewn lane, there was no drama, and quite poetic, really - just wish I’d recorded it for you.

Upon reaching the top, we stopped for a group photo then made our way back to the quarry. Overall, the D-Max made mincemeat of everything I pointed it at, and Macclesfield Old Road is a gem of a lane. I reckon sometime soon I’ll return in Deux Smurf to drive more lanes in the area, I’ll see if Andy is brave enough to bring is Colorado, and if Ben wants to play in his lifted CJ7!