Hold onto your wallets, folks: here are the five most expensive pick-ups in the land
5. Isuzu D-Max 300 3,0TD 4x4 LX Arctic Trucks AT35: R846 700
The Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is billed as a “very exclusive limited-edition flagship” and is based on the D-Max 300 LX 4x4 Auto derivative. It is thus powered by a 3,0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which sends 130 kW and 380 N.m to all four corners via a six-speed automatic transmission. The AT35 gains flared wheelarches (adding some 180 mm to its overall width), while the ride height has been increased by 48 mm. The updated suspension, meanwhile, comes courtesy of the folks over at Fox Performance.
4. Ford Ranger Raptor 2,0 BiT 4x4: R875 700
Ford’s Ranger Raptor uses a 2,0-litre, four-cylinder bi-turbodiesel unit offering 157 kW and 500 N.m, and mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor boasts various bespoke under-the-skin items, including a strengthened chassis frame, uprated brakes, high-performance Fox dampers and a new coil-over rear suspension set-up featuring an integrated Watt’s linkage, lending it admirable high-speed off-road talent. The second-most expensive Ranger is the Wildtrak-based Thunder 4x4, which is priced at R787 000.
3. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 4,5D-4D LX V8 Namib: R929 700
The Namib-badged double-cab is the most expensive variant in Toyota’s Land Cruiser 79 range, drawing its urge from the firm's familiar 4,5-litre turbodiesel V8 engine, which sends 151 kW and 430 N.m to all four corners via a five-speed manual gearbox with a low-range transfer case. The Namib treatment includes various exterior updates (such as a heavy-duty steel front bumper and high-intensity LED spotlights), cabin upgrades (like the canvas seat covers and a roof-mounted console) and chassis tweaks (such as the upgraded off-road suspension and 265/75/R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx tyres).
2. Volkswagen Amarok 3,0 V6 TDI Extreme 4Motion: R974 600
Volkswagen SA now offers the Amarok V6 in high-output guise, with the 3,0-litre TDI unit delivering a whopping 190 kW (or 200 kW on overboost) and 580 N.m, and mated with 4Motion all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. That's enough, says VW, for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 7,3 seconds. A 165 kW version of this engine is, of course, also available.
1. Mercedes-Benz X350d 4Matic Power: R985 113
Yes, we realise Mercedes-Benz has scrapped production of the X-Class. But since the Stuttgart-based firm still lists the Navara-based bakkie on its website, there’s clearly still stock in the country. The flagship V6 version slots in at the very summit of this list, priced from a little under R1-million. The German company's bakkie develops 190 kW and 550 N.m from its 3,0-litre, six-cylinder diesel heart, which Mercedes says is enough for a sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 7,9 seconds.
