Luxury features of an SUV packaged in a double cabin pick up. That is my simple description of the Isuzu Dmax [Eliud] Kipchoge Edition.
“The key feature of this vehicle is its safety. We have combined both physical attributes and technology to offer the customer the peace of mind when it comes to security,” says Isuzu East Africa, Communication Manager, Dancan Muhindi.
Security features
The limited-edition model features Intelligent Driver Assistant System, which alerts the driver in case of a risk ahead. “This includes being too close to the vehicle ahead,” says Muhindi. “An audible warning sound and red warning lights flash on the dashboard when an obstacle is detected in your path.”
Related to this is the autonomous braking system. “If the systems in the vehicle detect a potential collision either because of a stalled vehicle or a vehicle that is moving slowly, emergency braking is applied automatically,” he explains.
The Isuzu Dmax Kipchoge Edition is equipped with a lane “discipline” feature, which prevents you from changing lanes without indicating. During a test drive of the vehicle, Muhindi said this feature is meant to prevent collisions with other vehicles. However, this only applies on tarmacked roads that are marked. In addition, the driver can disable this feature by switching off the Lane Support System, which deactivates the Lane Keep Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping and Lane Departure Prevention features.
He says the vehicle is equipped with seven airbags for enhanced safety. “Apart from the usual locations for airbags, we have one airbag at the centre to protect front seat passengers in case of collision from the side,” Muhindi says about the Isuzu Dmax Kipchoge Edition, which has a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour.
It also features a blind spot monitor, which offers a visual warning on side mirrors whenever another vehicle is approaching or overtaking, especially in your blind spot.
Other safety features include; automatic headlights in dark places or at dusk, automatic windshield wipers when it starts raining, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control that adjusts speed based on vehicles around you.
Isuzu East Africa plans to make 159 units of the Dmax Kipchoge Edition to celebrate the 1:59:40 time clinched by Eliud Kipchoge during the Vienna marathon in 2019.
The units are priced Kshs 9.4 million. “So far, we have sold about 30 units,” says Muhindi, about the Isuzu Dmax Kipchoge Edition that the assembler started selling in 2023.
“Most of the buyers are Kenyans who can relate with Kipchoge’s journey and ideals. For instance, two weeks ago “PC wa Gikomba” (a trader who sells mitumba shoes) took possession of his Kipchoge. He brought his family and requested that all presentations be done in sheng,” he explains.
Initially, Isuzu East Africa had projected that business owners and captains of industry will be the main customers, but over time the firm’s executives, say those who struggled to make it in life are those ordering the units.
Since only 159 units are being made, Isuzu is marketing the Limited-Edition vehicle as a piece of history. “This is a collector’s item,” he says.
Plans are underway to start marketing the vehicle in neighbouring countries, to drive up sales of the three-litre turbo charged model.
“You can contact us to book a test drive which we offer anyone interested in testing out any of the vehicles we sell,” says Muhindi.