TV chef Mike Robinson's bespoke Isuzu D-Max pick-up

 Isuzu has partnered with Celebrity TV chef and presenter, Mike Robinson to equip him with a bespoke Isuzu D-Max pick-up,  as the hunting season in England gets into full swing. Now that may sound unusual to supply a TV chef/presenter with a custom made pick-up, but Mr Robinson is no ordinary chef. Mike Robinson is co-presenter of ITV1′s primetime series Countrywise and Countrywise Kitchen. His passion for game has made him well known as one of the country’s top game cooks, an enthusiatic huntsman of game, and gatherer of wild food. To ensure he has the best possible tools at his disposal during the short stalking season, he worked with Isuzu UK to select a number of special modifications for his new pick-up.  By driving this all-new Isuzu D-Max around the 20,000-acre estate he manages, will undoubtedly help Mike minimise his impact on the surrounding environment.  The Isuzu D-Max, with its highly-efficient 2.5-litre Euro 5-compliant twin-turbo diesel engine, delivers 163 PS and 400 Nm of torque, but equally importantly, emits only 194 g/km of CO₂ and returns class-leading fuel economy of 38.2 mpg (combined).

For his custom pick-up, the Isuzu D-Max rides on 17-inch matt-black alloy wheels, fitted with special 255/65R17 all-terrain tyres.  To assist with unwanted glare in the field, Mike has had all of the vehicle’s standard chrome-finished exterior parts wrapped in matt-black vinyl – including the front grille, door handles and rear bumper. Based on a range-topping Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Utah double cab, Mike’s model features a unique rubber tray set on the dashboard for holding his binoculars firmly in place when the terrain gets rough.  Once his target is identified, Mike can take his rifle from the secure gun box in the cabin, before resting the barrel of his gun on the specially-tailored rubber covers on the wing mirrors that provide greater stability and accuracy when taking aim. For large kills, Mike’s Isuzu D-Max is fitted with a unique load-bay drawer system, winch and ramp, to aid the loading of his quarry.  To keep the payload secure and cool, it is protected by a ventilated Truckman Grand Hard Top.

William Brown, General Manager at Isuzu UK commented: “The new, higher specification of the Isuzu D-Max makes it the perfect choice for a keen stalker, like Mike, who needs the space, practicality and comfort a double cab model offers, as well as being highly efficient and hugely capable on-and off-road.  Mike is an exceptional brand ambassador for Isuzu, and we’re thrilled that he will use his new Isuzu D-Max during filming of the new series of Countrywise Kitchen.  He knows what it means to work in the country, and needs and expects his equipment to work faultlessly, whatever the conditions – that’s why he chose Isuzu.”

The new Isuzu D-Max range includes single, extended and double cab body configurations.  Double cab models are available in four specifications: Isuzu D-Max, Eiger, Yukon and Utah.  Starting prices range from £14,499 (CVOTR) for the entry-level Isuzu D-Max 4x2 single cab and rise to £21,499 (CVOTR) for top-of-the-range Isuzu D-Max Utah 4x4 double cab automatic.  Isuzu claim the D-Max is the only pick-up in the UK tough enough to be covered by a five-year / 120,000-mile warranty. For more details on Isuzu's D-Max range, please visit their official website here.