New Arctic Truck On Manoeuvres – Still Unstoppable!

When Isuzu updated its popular D-Max pickup truck, it was only a matter of time before the good folk at Arctic Trucks got their hands on it. And thus it came to pass that from May of this year, it was once again possible to buy an Arctic Truck AT35.

The AT35 is designed for those who intend to boldly go where no pickup has any right to go, whether that’s wandering through the frozen wastelands of Scandinavia and Iceland or wading through deep rainforest in warmer climes.

A press loan was organised and a day out was planned by my good friend Damian from the Mud Life Magazine who would be leading the way in a regular D-Max V-Cross model on which the AT35 is based. This would make for an interesting comparison.

Also part of the convoy were the Quirks from Planet Auto, an exciting YouTube channel, who had also been supplied with one of Isuzu’s finest.

So, what do Arctic Trucks do to make their models so unstoppable? A press release proclaims that their trucks ‘have been developed and engineered to handle the most challenging landscapes with ease, whilst offering a distinctive presence and authentic performance that is noticed everywhere, whether on or off-road.’

The AT35 sits some 50mm higher than the regular Isuzu offering thanks to the specially made Bilstein suspension system, and bulging wheel arches are fitted, necessary to accommodate the massive black alloy wheels, fitted with bespoke 315/70 R17 All-Terrain tyres.

My test vehicle was painted in Valencia Orange metallic, thus ensuring the AT35 attracted attention wherever we journeyed. A range of more subtle colours are available for the more shy and retiring.

The interior boasts lovely leather upholstery with Arctic Truck embroidered on the headrests of the electrically adjustable front seats. A commanding driving position ensures the pickup is easy enough to place accurately on the road or when manoeuvring in tight conditions off-road.

A 9-inch colour touchscreen is fitted and whilst it works well enough, it feels a little dated. Climate controlled air conditioning will ensure you keep a cool head at all times and a raft of safety equipment should help keep you out of trouble. A five-star Euro NCAP rating is confirmation.

Our day in the Lakes was predictably one of sunshine and showers and on the twisty and slippery roads I found it best to engage four-wheel drive. Without it, the rear-wheel drive handling was shall we say, lively to say the least.

Damian had planned some challenging green lanes for our Isuzu convoy, and I was sandwiched in the AT35 between the two V-Cross models. Damian picked his way carefully along some exceptionally gnarly tracks and for the most part I had no need to follow his careful line. The raised suspension and superb traction from the tyres meant I could chart a straight course over more or less anything.

And then I got stuck! Driver error, as in extremis I should have engage low ratio on the transmission and engaged the rear locker. Once the right switches were pressed, the AT35 continued its easy march over all that was put in front of it. Only its considerable width posed a slight issue on some of the narrower tracks. Some old-fashioned marshalling kept things together.

I would say that the two regular D-Max pickups coped admirably with the challenging conditions. The same 1.9-litre turbocharged diesel engine powers them, with 164PS and 360Nm of torque. It is not the quietest of engines, especially when cold or when fully extended. Some better sound deadening might help.

The automatic gearbox is highly recommended and well worth the extra £1,500. It’s smooth operator and makes off-road driving so much easier, without the third pedal to worry about. Better control in all conditions.

A top spec Isuzu D-Max V-Cross costs £32,759 without VAT and in automatic form. The Arctic Truck weighs in at £49,499, also minus VAT. So, is the extra £16k worth the extra outlay? For most users, probably not, but then there are those who want the very best and want everyone to know about it.

However, the AT35 is not just built for show. It has been subject to a programme of careful development, thus ensuring it is one of the most capable off-road vehicles on sale in the UK today. And even if you never use its considerable off-road prowess, sometimes just knowing you can, is all that is required.

Sadly, I have no use for a pickup truck in my everyday life, but the desire is strong. A V-Cross would suit very nicely, but my heart’s desire would steer me towards an Arctic Truck. In Sapphire Blue Mica methinks!