KUCHING: The all-new Isuzu D-Max 2.2L TD recently completed a drive from Sandakan, Sabah to Kuching, Sarawak on just one tank of diesel.
The recent achievement in East Malaysia follows a successful completion of a loop of Peninsular Malaysia using just one tank of fuel,
Under the "D-Max One Tank. One Nation Challenge", Isuzu Malaysia had put two units of the D-Max 2.2-litre turbo diesel on the drive across East Malaysia to showcase its amazing fuel efficiency.
The drive in East Malaysia is particularly challenging considering the rugged terrain and extreme elevations including the severe climb over the Crocker Range.
With an improved engine that is paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the new 2.2-litre Isuzu D-Max proved to be uniquely capable over such conditions.
Both the 4x2 AutoPlus and the 4x4 Automatic Premium trucks made it to the finish line with ample fuel in reserve.
Amazingly, the exceptionally efficient 4x2 Auto Plus variant made the entire journey from the Universal Motor Isuzu showroom in Sandakan to the Jimisar Auto Niaga Isuzu 3S centre in Kuching without even triggering the low fuel level warning light.
“It is easy to claim that a vehicle is fuel efficient by driving it along a smooth and quiet highway. But for us, the Isuzu D-Max’s superiority is best showcased by keeping it real on roads our customers drive on daily," said Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer for light commercial vehicles Kenichi Kudo.
"This means traversing narrow trunk roads choked with lorries, roads under construction, and even crossing the Crocker Range at Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain rather than avoiding it.”
From Sandakan, the drivers made their way to Telupid where construction of the Pan Borneo Highway remains on-going.
They then made the ascent up the mountainous roads towards Kundasang en route to Kota Kinabalu.
From there, the convoy headed towards Sarawak via Brunei before heading to Miri, Bintulu, Sarikei and Sibu with scheduled stops at Isuzu dealer outlets along the route before finally ending the journey in Kuching after clocking some 1,605km.
Selected outlets along the route hosted engagement sessions where Isuzu D-Max Brand ambassador Baki Zainal met fans and handed out excusive Isuzu goodies while awaiting the convoy’s arrival.
Members of the public were invited to guess online the exact total mileage the D-Max would travel during the challenge.
The winning entry stood to win RM5,000 worth of grocery shopping vouchers as part of the RM10,000 worth of prizes at stake.
“Besides the obvious savings customers gain through the vehicle’s amazing fuel efficiency, the new Isuzu D-Max 2.2L offers lower operating costs through greater durability, higher productivity and lower road tax making it the compelling pick-up truck choice of in today’s economic climate,” added Kudo.
