Isuzu has made a hardcore pickup for the UK

People of the UK, prepare yourselves. The Ford Ranger Raptor is destined for our shores. The beefed-up pickup will hit the UK at some point this year in order to satisfy those lifestyle-obsessed folks who don’t mind having things stolen from their boot.

Clearly, Ford couldn’t have the hardcore off-roady pickup market all to themselves though, so the folks over at Isuzu set about cooking something up from the base model D-Max. The result is what you see above – the rather angry-looking XTR.

Before you get too excited, the 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine is completely standard. That means 162bhp and the all-important 266lb ft of torque – significantly less than we were hoping for when we saw that face.

Ah yes, the face. Those black plastic guards are part of what Isuzu calls a ‘sophisticated body kit’. Hmmm.

The chunky Pirelli tyres and 250mm of ground clearance (thanks to upgraded dampers and suspension) make the XTR look supremely capable though. We’d wager that it’ll plough its way around any building site in the country.

Inside there are special XTR sports seats and plenty of leather and suede, but the main changes that Isuzu wants to shout about are clearly to do with suspension and brakes. Despite the upgrades it’ll still tow 3.5 tonnes too.

Prices for the XTR will start at £33,999 and there’s an inventive colour palette of white, silver, grey or black available. Tempted?