A few weeks ago the editor of RUSH and one of the fellow contributors headed to a Bentley press event which included time out on the road in the Bentayga and then some track time in the Continental GT. I have to admit I did go a funny shade of green with jealousy when they shared some pics from the day of them chauffeuring each other around in the extended wheelbase version of the SUV and videos of the on-track exploits at Oulton Park - which looked superb. 

Still gutted I couldn’t make it, I was offered by way of a consolation a press invite to the Isuzu 4x4 Festival. Now I must admit, at first glance this didn’t seem much of a comparison, however on reading the invite the thought of some time in the latest D-Max and V-Cross pickups in the awesome setting of Parkwood Off Road Centre near Bradford sounded like great fun. 

A 4x4 pick up is perhaps not the usual thing that would grace the pages of RUSH, however I had sold it to myself that should I own a track car and need a work horse to tow it along to the circuits around the UK and abroad, then something like the D-Max would certainly warrant a closer look. 

Arriving at Parkwood it becomes clear that Isuzu are serious about giving the assembled journalists a good introduction to the D-Max and V-Cross in its different forms. Various trim levels and configurations were on display including the awesome looking Arctic model, resplendent in metallic red and conveniently parked on one of the large rock structures of the welcome area - I doubt you would find a Bentayga parked like that!