By Malusi Msomi

Isuzu Motors South Africa is set to launch the official Isuzu ‘1 Tank Challenge’ in March to showcase the fuel efficiency of its D-Max bakkie range.

The move comes as high fuel prices contribute to a steep increase in the cost of living and doing business in South Africa. Isuzu’s latest-generation 1.9-litre four-cylinder intercooled turbodiesel engine has undergone significant upgrades to boost its fuel efficiency. The bakkie manufacturer recently conducted a fuel economy test drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town to prove the fuel economy of the D-MAX 1.9 Ddi engine. Racing driver and head of the Isuzu Driving Academy, Grant McCleery, completed the 1 431 km test run in a D-Max 1.9 Ddi Double Cab 4×2 Manual, achieving a fuel consumption rate of 5.1 litres per 100 km, or 19.39 km/litre.

“Isuzu customers trust our D-Max range to deliver superb fuel economy and low running costs, matched to uncompromising reliability and durability, which are essential to keep their vehicles on the road and have fleets running as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible,” says Kevin Fouché, Department Executive: Product Planning and Programme Management at Isuzu Motors South Africa.

The D-Max range comes in 24 models in South Africa, with 16 of them powered by the 1.9 Ddi engine, including five Single Cabs, four Extended Cabs, and five Double Cabs. The RZ4E-TC 1.9-litre four-cylinder intercooled turbodiesel engine relies on a 200 MPa common rail direct injection system, and a high-efficiency variable geometry turbocharger to deliver excellent turbo response and acceleration across the engine speed range. The engine produces 110 kW of power at 3 600 r/min, and peak torque of 350 Nm between 1 800 and 2 600 r/min, and has automatic hydraulic valve lash adjusters, a long-life steel timing chain, and a cartridge-type ecological oil filter to keep running and maintenance costs low.

The latest iteration of the D-Max, the seventh generation, features an optimized six-speed manual transmission that allows for a more upright and level shift stroke movement, thanks to a revised pivot point. Additionally, the transmission is cable-free, providing the driver with a positive feel and facilitating easy gear selection.

The updated D-Max also offers an improved six-speed automatic transmission on select models, featuring faster gear shifts and better fuel economy thanks to revised gear change calibration logic. Furthermore, a new automatic transmission fluid cooler has been placed next to the transmission to facilitate more efficient cooling and faster warm-up times upon vehicle start-up.