For two decades, the Isuzu D-MAX has built a formidable reputation on long-distance fuel economy runs in Malaysia, demonstrating impressive mileage on a single tank of fuel.
The first demonstration of the exceptional fuel economy of the D-MAX in November 2005 when the truck was driven from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru… and then up to Alor Setar and back to KL! It covered 1,401 kms without refuelling at all.
Almost 20 years after that, another D-MAX with newer turbodiesel engine technology achieved an even more impressive record of 2,004 kms from Thailand to Malaysia without refuelling. That earned the truck a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for the ‘Longest Distance Driven in a Pick-up Truck with a Single Tank of Fuel’.
From Sandakan to Kuching
The long-standing heritage of fuel efficiency was again demonstrated recently with the D-MAX ‘One Tank. One Nation Challenge’ across East Malaysia. This time, it was with the latest D-MAX 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine – dubbed ‘Best Engine Ever’ – which was driven from Sandakan in Sabah all the way to Kuching in Sarawak on a single tank of fuel.
The total distance of approximately 1,605 kms was not only on smooth highway but over all kinds of surfaces with varying traffic conditions along the Pan Borneo Highway. The journey also included tough climbs over the Crocker Range near Mount Kinabalu.
Despite these extreme conditions that will impact fuel economy and therefore range, both D-MAX vehicles – the 4×2 AutoPlus and the 4×4 Automatic Premium – reached the finish line with fuel to spare.
The efficiency of the 4×2 AutoPlus variant was particularly notable, completing the entire route from the Universal Motor Isuzu showroom in Sandakan to the Jimisar Auto Niaga Isuzu 3S Centre in Kuching – without even triggering its low fuel level warning light.
Real-world driving conditions
According to Kenichi Kudo, Isuzu Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer for Light Commercial Vehicles, the cross-country trial was designed to evaluate the platform under conditions mirroring everyday ownership rather than sterile highway testing.
“It is easy to claim that a vehicle is fuel efficient by driving it along a smooth highway. But for us, the Isuzu D-MAX’s superiority is best showcased by keeping it real on roads our customers drive on daily. This means traversing narrow trunk roads with slow-moving heavy lorries, roads under construction, and even crossing the Crocker Range around Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain, rather than avoiding it,” said Mr. Kudo.
High torque engine
One of the secrets of the fuel efficiency of the turbodiesel engine is the strong low-end torque generated, enabling the truck to use higher gears of the 8-speed automatic transmission even on steep mountain roads. Being able to use higher ratios means lower engine revs, reducing consumption, while the high torque maintain steady acceleration.
Besides better efficiency than before, the updated engineering reduces operating expenses and enhances everyday productivity, while improved durability keeps the truck running reliably day after day.
