Make it to Basecamp with new Isuzu D-Max AT35

This was a double-take moment, although as a consequence of my childishness rather than any lack of clarity on Isuzu’s part. When I read the press release stating that the new Isuzu D-Max AT35 Basecamp comes with laser accessories, it’s fair to say my interest was piqued. Then I reread it. What it actually states is it comes with Lazer accessories, which aren’t quite the same thing. Sadly, we’re not talking about the dizzying heights of bulbar-mounted laser cannons, capable of taking out bears with a Star Wars-esque ‘bewp, bewp, bewp’. We’re talking about a Lazer Linear-36 Elite Rooftop Lightbar and Lazer Linear-6 Elite Grille-mounted Lightbars. Still, they should produce beams bright enough to dazzle a bear, I reckon.

Despite lacking lethal weaponry, it’s fair to say the new Basecamp comes fully kitted out in other ways. It looks the bee’s knees, too, doesn’t it? I’ll get to the camping stuff in a moment; first, let’s talk about the truck. This home-from-home for adventurous souls is built on D-Max foundations, obviously, but the range-topping AT35. The AT35 is built in collaboration with Icelandic off-road specialist, Arctic Trucks, which is where the ‘AT’ bit of its name comes from. The ‘35’ is thanks to those massive, 35-inch diameter mud-plugging tyres. The rest of the tyre measurements are 315/70, if you were wondering, and they’re fitted to 17-inch black alloys.

Such enormous black circles required a little coaxing to fit, which is why the AT35 comes with a 50mm increase in ride height and Bilstein springs and dampers. And you can’t miss its bulbous wheel arches accommodating the fat rubber, as well as the enlarged side steps, which, it seems, are actually useful. You need them to step up into a cab that’s so far from the floor because the AT35 has 266mm of ground clearance up front, 290mm at the rear, and approach and departure angles of 35 and 29 degrees respectively. The breakover angle is 34 degrees.

That’s going to get you pretty far into the wilderness, then, even after sunset with those Lazer Linear lightbars turning bears’ retinas to dust en route, but what about the facilities when you’re ready to bed down for the night? Well, compared with a Marriott hotel it’s pretty basic but more than adequate for those used to roughing it. The camping element is delivered by ARB, which claims to be Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of 4×4 accessories. 

First and foremost is ARB’s pop-up Esperance Rooftop Tent with a ‘ladder and even a Skyview window’, and an Ascent Canopy for extra storage. The Base Rack mount and bracket system mean you can safely store a gas bottle, water container, extra fuel containers and recovery boards. Fine dining (Heinz baked beans, not that supermarket own-brand nonsense) is possible thanks to the slide-out kitchen, which has a three-burner gas stove and a 12-litre collapsible sink. But even more important than hot food is a cold tinny, obviously. You’ll have no worries in that regard thanks to the electric coolbox/fridge. Meanwhile, for those who prefer some pampering you can stay smelling Timotei fresh with the portable, 12-volt camping shower, or, for those looking to go (almost) five-star under the stars, how about the ARB En suite Tent and Shower Room? ARB says that’s for those who value ‘privacy and convenience in remote locations’. How lovely. 

So, it’s so well equipped it has an actual kitchen sink rather than the proverbial one. No laser beams is still disappointing, though, so Isuzu, if you’re reading this, you might wanna think about that…