Isuzu Dragon Max Is A Torque-Filled Street Truck Restomod Done Right

Dragons are mythical creatures that are the primary hooks of several fantasy shows and are the occasional main subject of special-edition vehicles inspired by the Chinese calendar, but we really couldn’t care for cars with the word “Dragon” in their names. Well, except maybe this – the Isuzu Dragon Max. In spite of the cheesy nameplate, the Dragon Max is actually a cool truck build that can make the Ford Maverick Lobo, the street truck version of the Blue Oval compact truck, look meh.

The Isuzu Dragon Max is based on the 1988 TFR Space Cab pickup, which was nicknamed the Dragon in Thailand due to its model year introduction, the year of the Dragon in Chinese zodiacs. It’s the predecessor of the current D-Max midsize truck range in the Land of Smiles and other parts of Southeast Asia. Other than that, the Dragon Max concept differs from its modern counterpart in more ways than one, combining retro styling with modern diesel technology.

Retro Style With Modern Amenities

Finished in matte gray paint, the Isuzu Dragon Max comes with a low stance, which is quite a popular truck modification in Thailand (even giving birth to a Toyota GR-badged race truck there). Keeping its boxy form, Isuzu replaced the original lighting units with LEDs to match the angular styling. It then gets a tailgate spoiler, black alloy wheels with low-profile tires, LED DRLs, and gas struts to keep the hood open.

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Inside, the Dragon Max concept has modern amenities, far from the original TFR. It has a push-start button, a tablet-type infotainment system, and a digital instrument that also records lap times. It comes with Alcantara trims throughout the cabin and some fake carbon fiber accents. Despite the modern conversion, Isuzu keeps the classic HVAC buttons and gauge cluser controls for a touch of nostalgia.

Modern Diesel That’s Nearly Triple The Original Output

While the original Isuzu TFR uses a 2.5-liter 4JA1 diesel engine, the Dragon Max Concept is powered by a more modern 2.2-liter MaxForce turbo-diesel that almost triples the original power output. It produces up to 217 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque – less output than the Maverick Lobo, but certainly loads of torque coming from the oil-burner setup. All these figures are transmitted to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

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Isuzu hasn’t confirmed whether the Dragon Max Concept will ever reach production or if it will remain a one-off, but we’re waging it could spark the imagination of tuners and builders, not only in Thailand but also in the rest of the world. It just goes to show that nostalgia is still very much in style these days.