HAVING proven its hypermiling capability in the Dura Miles Challenge where the Isuzu D-Max was driven from Singapore to Bangkok on a single tank of fuel, Isuzu Malaysia has further raised the bar with the new D-Max 1.9 Blue Power.
The pickup truck was put to an even more extreme challenge, this time driving more than 1,000km along Malaysia's mountain and highlands while hauling a tonne of load on its bed (the maximum permissible capacity).
The Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Blue Power Single Cab reached its destination with two bars remaining in the fuel tank.
"The prowess of the Isuzu D-Max continues to astound with its remarkable capabilities. Despite being the pickup truck with smallest displacement on the market, the 1.9-litre Isuzu D-Max completed the challenge with absolute ease and confidence," said Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Masayuki Suzuki.
The pickup truck underwent a thorough inspection by Puspakom to verify its conformity as a showroom-standard unit prior to starting its journey from the Isuzu-HICOM Malaysia factory in Pekan.
With crates weighing more 1,000kg in total placed on the cargo bed and the bonnet and fuel tank sealed, the D-Max headed north for its first challenge — the East-West highway linking Jeli in Kelantan to Gerik in Perak with a 1,052m climb to the peak.
After spending the night in Ipoh, the next day saw an even more intimidating climb of 1,112m to Cameron Highlands before heading to Fraser's Hill (1,222m) via Raub.
From there the Isuzu D-Max took on an even-bigger challenge to Genting Highlands, which was the highest point for the drive at 1,604m.
It then headed for the last leg to the Isuzu Service Centre in Shah Alam, clocking 1,145km.
The pickup truck arrived at the finishing line with ample fuel to spare in its 76-litre tank, sipping just 7.2 litres per 100km (13.7km per litre).
"Through advanced technology, the new 1.9-litre RZ4E-TC engine is by far the most fuel efficient engine ever produced by Isuzu Motors and this was clearly demonstrated in this exercise," says chief executive officer Koji Nakamura.
"Perhaps some vehicles can travel long distances on a tank of fuel, some can probably manage to carry a tonne of weight or climb mountains. But to achieve all three criteria with one vehicle is a true feat of a competent vehicle," he added.
All Isuzu D-Max models, including the 1.9-litre Single Cab, come with a 5-year 150,000km warranty.