Despite the Arctic origins of Isuzu’s AT35 D-Max, the imposing double cab was in its element transporting five occupants and a load bin full of camping equipment to the blistering Cederberg.
The Cederberg, like the 35-inch tyres on the toy-car-esque D-Max AT35, is huge. The region’s rocky expanse looks similarly extraterrestrial wherever you enter, but the campsites themselves are varied. We opted for Kliphuis campsite, nestled quietly next to Pakhuis pass in the Northern Cedeberg. The route is fairly simple driving up from Cape Town, though the N7 is never a leisurely drive.
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Arctic Trucks is known for making impressive off-roading modifications to already-capable OEM off-roaders, and the Isuzu AT35 collaboration is one of the company’s latest stylish interpretations of maximum utility. While the AT35 retains the trusty, noisy, 3,0L turbo-diesel, which does 145 kW and 500 N.m, the range-topping D-Max is differentiated from its siblings by stylistic changes including flared wheel arches, AT35 badging (both inside and out) and most notably a specially designed lift-kit, Bilstein dampers and 35-inch Maxxis Razr ATs.
The aggressive all-terrain tyres from Maxxis are a recent development, with the AT35 previously coming with the famous BF Goodrich KO2 tyres in the same size. I’m a fan of the mean Maxxis tread pattern, which is far rarer on South African roads but strongly favoured in off-roading markets (especially the massive Australian 4×4 community), and the tyres drove well. The route to Kliphuis from Cape Town is purely tar, and the tyres handled it comfortably, feeling supple and grippy and emitting no more noise than other tyres of that size and tread pattern.
The suspension and tyre upgrades allow the AT35 a wading depth of 865 mm (compared to the standard D-Max’s 800 mm), while also increasing approach, breakover and departure angles. Naturally, the steering is less precise than their lower-riding siblings. Selectable four-wheel drive, a low-range transfer case and a rear diff lock equip the AT35 with all the necessary mechanics to go anywhere off-road.
While the AT35 is not a sensible buy if one is high-revving it around town, fuel economy on the open road is impressive. With five occupants and a fully-packed load-bin, we managed 8,8L/100km during the six-hour roundtrip. A 76-litre tank ensures close to 900km of range.
Kliphuis camping, unlike other areas in the Cederberg, does not require a 4×4 or a vehicle with high ground clearance, as it sits just off the side of the road. The campsite is set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocklands bouldering site, with 14 spots circling the banks of the Kliphuis River. Each site is afforded lots of space and great braai facilities, and they are well-shaded by the tall trees.
There is a hiking trail that runs from the campsite up towards Pakhuis Pass, but we decided to tackle the route on the other side of the road. The Perfotein loop starts with a steep incline straight up a gorge and then levels out for a nearly 13km loop of extraterrestrial rock land. Take lots of water!
Book for Kliphuis through CapeNature
While cottages can be booked at Kliphuis, camping sites can be reserved for as little as R190 a person (for the weekend). The site’s accessibility also makes it an enticing option for those looking to get to the Cederberg without a vehicle the size of the AT35!
A few more gravel roads would have been welcome given the D-Max’s penchant for dirt, but it still proved an epic companion for a short camping weekend.
Isuzu D-Max Arctic AT35 Fast Facts
- Price: R1 170 339
- Engine: 3,0-litre, turbodiesel, four-cylinder
- Power: 140 kW at 3 600 r/min
- Torque: 450 N.m at 1 600r/min
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Drive wheels: Selectable four-wheel-drive
- Service plan: five years/90 000 km
