Isuzu is retiring its long serving 1.9-litre turbo diesel from the D-Max pick-up range and replacing it with a new 2.2-litre unit that promises better performance and efficiency, and at the same time offering a new 8-speed automatic transmission option alongside the standard 6-speed manual box.

The new 2.2-litre engine produces 400Nm of torque, with 255Nm at just 1,000rpm, and a total power output of 163PS. Fuel economy now offers a whisker under 8.56 l/100km (33mpg) combined and the benchmark 100kph/62 mph reached in, a still leisurely, 12.2 seconds. To be fair it’s hardly the kind of vehicle you’ll be taking to the Nürburgring and certainly the previous versions still felt more than brisk enough despite the leisurely acceleration. The new power unit is centred on greater efficiency and performance with improved refinement.

A shift-on-the-fly system allows rolling switches between two and four-wheel-drive high and there’s a selectable rear differential lock and rough terrain mode. An 800mm wading depth is complemented by good approach, departure and ramp breakover angles. In terms of payload the D-Max 2.2 can deliver 1205kg along with a maximum braked towing capacity of 3500kg.

To coincide with the new power unit there are some styling changes and specification upgrades across the model line-up.  New-style sidesteps are included on DL40 and V-Cross models, and there’s a new Urban Moss metallic paint finish, plus a new 360-degree Surround View Camera that deploys digital cameras on the front radiator grille, tailgate and wing mirrors, displaying images on the infotainment screen when moving or parking.

Internal changes to the new 2.2 model include revised seat designs, with enhanced cloth and leather trims. High-grade textured cloth is offered as standard on the DL20 model, and leather is standard on DL40 and V-Cross versions.

There are three body styles; single cab, extended cab and double cab with the double cab models offering a 6-speed manual gearbox or the optional new 8-speed automatic. The trim levels range from the entry Utility model through to the top-of-the-range V-Cross.

Prices start from €39,251 (£33,495 excluding UK VAT) for the lead-in single cab Utility version through to €50,384 (£42,995 excluding UK VAT) for the flagship V-Cross model. Unless white is your favourite colour then Isuzu is being a tad miserly in expecting you to fork out an additional €703 (£600 excluding UK VAT) for any other colour.

Overall then the new engine brings what was an ageing, although reliable and well-proven, power plant up to a more modern level of efficiency, performance and refinement.

The San Diego Comic-Con’s return to Málaga for its second edition in the city concluded on Sunday October 4, packed with a line-up of artists, exhibitions, signings, panels and thousands of cosplayers showing off their home-made costume designs. 

A bigger second edition for Málaga’s Comic-Con

Held at FYCMA, the city’s Trade Fairs and Congress Centre, the convention combined panels and autograph sessions with exhibitions, gaming activities and stalls packed with collectibles.

The convention has been running for 56 years in San Diego in the USA, but last year chose Málaga to be its first ever edition outside of the USA, bringing the brand across the pond and closer to the comic book fandom from all over Europe.

This year’s second edition also faced the challenge of consolidating the event as a staple in the Andalucian city for years to come, especially after 2025’s was met with mixed reviews due to organisational issues and shaky planning. This year, however, much has changed, and attendees have expressed large improvements to the way things are being run. “I’d give it an eight out of ten this year. The queuing systems are better and it has more stalls and exhibitions. It’s better organised than last year”, said one attendee. 

The Boys help launch Málaga’s Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con Málaga opened its second edition with hundreds of fans queuing from the early hours of Thursday, October 1, many in costume. The Boys stars Karl Urban and Aya Cash drew a large audience for a lively conversation about their characters, while filmmaker Kevin Smith reunited with Jason Lee and Jason Mewes to share stories behind films including Clerks and Mallrats. Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino also received the Málaga Film Festival’s Biznaga de Oro award.

Comics took centre stage with artists John Romita Jr., Jorge Jiménez, Pepe Larraz and Dan Mora discussing the enduring appeal of superheroes. Spanish television fans enjoyed a nostalgic Los Serrano cast reunion, while autograph sessions, live drawing, cosplay demonstrations and gaming activities filled the exhibition spaces.

One Piece stars and anime legends took Friday’s spotlight

Friday, October 2 brought a packed audience to Hall M for One Piece stars Iñaki Godoy, who plays Luffy, and Taz Skylar, the actor behind Sanji. Joined by Peter Gadiot, who plays Shanks, and director Lukas Ettlin, they discussed the pressure of adapting a story with millions of devoted fans while preserving its characters’ spirit. The audience welcomed them with a standing ovation.

There were lighter moments too. Godoy sparked a playful food debate by choosing patatas bravas over paella, while the cast recalled filming snowy scenes in South Africa’s summer heat, with artificial snow getting into their eyes and noses.

The spotlight also fell on the voices behind the screen. A gathering of Spanish dubbing actors who voice Marvel’s superheroes celebrated their contribution to the films, with performers recreating memorable scenes live for the audience.

Meanwhile, Yoichi Takahashi, creator of Captain Tsubasa, known in Spain as Campeones or Oliver y Benji, demonstrated his drawing technique in Studio M. Taking requests from fans, he recreated familiar characters in less than five minutes each and added a local touch by writing “Málaga” on goalkeeper Benji’s cap.

Cowboy Bebop director Shin’ichirō Watanabe joined character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto to revisit the anime’s creation. Kawamoto revealed that his original character briefs included blood groups and star signs, while Watanabe discussed his vision of a multicultural future and expressed opposition to remaking the series.

Disney’s Saturday takeover brought familiar faces to the stage

For me, the weekend’s biggest event came on Saturday afternoon, when Disney took over Hall M for a two-hour showcase of new trailers, exclusive previews and special guests.

The event opened with a look at Disney’s upcoming animated films. First came Hexed, the story of a teenage girl who discovers magical powers and finds herself transported to another world, all while navigating a complicated relationship with her mother. A preview of Ice Age: Boiling Point, the latest instalment in the prehistoric franchise, followed.

Pixar’s Gatto introduced a streetwise black cat trying to find his way through Venice while caught up with the local “cat mafia”. The footage suggested plenty of light comedy and a protagonist who is easy to root for as he tries to get “out of the game”.

The afternoon’s first major film panel brought Whalefall stars Austin Abrams and Josh Brolin to the stage alongside director Brian Duffield. Adapted from Daniel Kraus’s novel, the survival thriller follows a scuba diver swallowed by a sperm whale, with just an hour of oxygen left to escape. Kraus’s inspiration came from a viral 2020 video of two kayakers briefly caught in a humpback whale’s mouth.

The clip shown in the hall was genuinely uncomfortable viewing: the audience fell silent as the tension built, and I found myself willing the scene to end. If that sort of anxiety-inducing cinema is your thing, you could be in for a treat.

Marvel takes over with surprise Avengers guests

Then came the big guns. Moderator Ali Plumb welcomed British actor Paul Bettany to the stage to introduce VisionQuest, the new Marvel series for Disney+ that follows on from WandaVision and Agatha All Along. It sees Vision grapple with identity, purpose and fatherhood, alongside the rather less relatable problem of fighting deadly robots. Fans were treated to the opening 22 minutes of the first episode, which went down particularly well in the hall.

But Málaga still had one final surprise waiting. After the VisionQuest segment, the hall went dark and the lights turned green. Whatever was coming next, it had Avengers: Doomsday written all over it. Plumb welcomed Anthony Mackie, David Harbour and Winston Duke onto the stage, one by one, to discuss the film ahead of its Spanish cinema release on December 17.

The actors certainly knew how to build anticipation. Harbour promised: “The ending is going to blow everyone’s minds”, while Duke paid tribute to Sir Ian McKellen, recalling how his performance left even his fellow actors transfixed: “everyone else sort of forgot that they had to keep acting, we were all just looking at him”.

The showcase ended with two short clips from the film and a trailer to top things off, plenty to keep Marvel fans talking long after they left Hall M.

Frodo, Sam and a thunderstorm brought the weekend to a close

Sunday’s closing programme brought The Lord of the Rings stars Elijah Wood and Sean Astin together in Hall M for a nostalgic conversation about playing Frodo and Sam. They shared filming memories, joked about Frodo’s frequent falls and reflected on the comfort the trilogy continues to offer fans. Fellow cast member John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli, also visited artist Rubén Belloso’s exhibition and signed a painting featuring his character.

The Starship Troopers reunion gathered Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Michael Ironside and Jake Busey to revisit the cult film nearly three decades later, with Van Dien taking the microphone into the audience for fans’ questions. Elsewhere, Captain Tsubasa creator Yoichi Takahashi discussed his football manga, while Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn and Fantastic Beasts star Dan Fogler reflected on their best-known roles.

There was one less welcome surprise: a brief afternoon thunderstorm sent visitors scrambling for shelter in the exhibitor halls. However, the real superheroes came to light in that moment, as those who had been queuing outside for certain activities did not move a muscle and stood their ground to not lose their spots during the downpour. Alongside the star reunions and final panels, it made for a memorable end to the four-day convention. And there was already reason to look ahead: organisers have hinted that Star Wars could play a major part in next year’s edition as the franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary.

A new project featuring a central local restaurant has opened its doors in San Javier, marking a milestone for inclusion in the Region of Murcia. AIDEMAR, a non-profit organisation that benefits disabled people in the region and which is based in San Javier, has opened Hilario y La Dama, a bar in the centre of the town, and given six people with disabilities the opportunity to work in hospitality.

A new inclusive hospitality project in the centre of San Javier

The bar has been open to the public since Monday, September 28, and has become a meeting point for residents and visitors alike, as well as a shining opportunity for people with disabilities to jumpstart a career in the industry. It is the first hospitality establishment managed by a Special Employment Centre of Social Initiative in the Region of Murcia.

“One of the establishment’s defining characteristics is its team,” stated AIDEMAR about the landmark opening. “Its staff consists of seven professionals, most of whom have disabilities.”

Creating opportunities for local neighbours through employment

The bar was opened with two goals in mind: not only to generate stable and quality employment for some of the hardworking residents of San Javier, but also to showcase the talent, professionalism, and capabilities of people with disabilities in the gastronomic and social spheres.

More than a local bar, a project: Come on in, have a seat, and enjoy

Hilario y La Dama will not only be a standing testament to the importance of inclusive opportunities in the municipality, but it will also offer a carefully curated and welcoming dining experience for locals and visitors.

“With CEE Bar AIDEMAR, we demonstrate that genuine job inclusion is fully viable in the hospitality sector. It’s not just a place to eat or have a drink; it’s a life project and a professional development opportunity for those who are part of it,” stated the management of AIDEMAR.

AIDEMAR has invited residents and visitors alike to visit the newly opened restaurant, enjoy its delicious food, and greet the hardworking staff members. For the whole of San Javier, the new bar is not just another excellent addition to its dining scene, but also a meaningful project that merges community, opportunity and social change under one roof.