New 2.5L D-Max scores high in efficiency

Driving the automatic version of the new 2.5-liter powered 2015 Isuzu D-Max are driving buddies Raymund Dimapilis and Enrico Mabunay.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) again threw down the fuel economy gauntlet by announcing that the manual and automatic versions of its newly launched 2.5-liter D-Max 4×2 achieved exceptional fuel economy ratings.

During a five-day tour of Luzon wherein each of the two pickup trucks had to run on just one full tank of diesel, the manual version (price: P1.154 million) ended up traveling a total of 2,191 kilometers or an average fuel efficiency of 28.83 km per liter while the automatic (price: P1.206 million) covered 1,873 km and posted an average fuel efficiency of 24.65 kpl.

“We are quite happy with the results on how our latest D-Max, both manual and automatic transmissions, perform in terms of fuel efficiency. Without a doubt, the new D-Max is a perfect vehicle for people who live in the metro but need the versatility of a pickup. It’s tough and powerful yet refined and efficient—simply implying that it is ‘All You Need,’” said IPC president Hajime Koso.

The five-day fuel economy marathon started in Koso, IPC VP for sales Daisuke Inaba and Isuzu Manila GM Von Chavez leading the flag off.

The convoy headed north to Laoag in Ilocos Norte then proceeded to Tuguegarao in Cagayan, stopping at Clark in Pampanga. On the fourth day, the convoy proceeded south toward Legazpi, Albay.

During this segment of the trip, the automatic version ended its run in the town of Polangui, which is 43 km away from Legazpi City.

On the fifth and last day of the run, the manual version even reached Matnog port in Sorsogon, then turned around before finally running out of gas along the road in Nabua, Camarines Sur.

Beyond efficiency

“Most buyers still put fuel economy at the top of their checklist when shopping for a new vehicle. But with the revamped version of 2015 Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, our buyers will not only enjoy a smaller but also more powerful engine. They also will continue to appreciate our pickup truck’s tough-look image, versatility, utility, comfort and, of course, safety (the D-Max passed the Asean New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, standards and bagged the Best Child Occupant Protection award given by the Automobile Association of the Philippines, or AAP),” explained IPC senior vice president Art Balmadrid.

Taking care of the manual version of the new 2.5-liter powered 2015 Isuzu D-Max are the father-and-son tandem of Sergio and Ivan Isada.

The new 2015 Isuzu D-Max is now powered by a 2.5-liter (model: 4JK1-TCX) engine equipped with common rail direct injection (CRDi) technology and an intercooled variable geometry system (VGS) turbocharger.

These new features enable the new 2015 D-Max to generate 134 horsepower (only 12 less than the previous 3-liter 4JJ1-TC engine) and deliver a maximum 320 Nm of torque (26 Nm more than the previous model).

“The new 2015 Isuzu D-Max has what a typical pick-up buyer would aspire for. It is a reliable performer whatever the road condition may be, but also a sweet ride when driven everyday around towns and cities,” said Balmadrid.

Serious test

To verify the result and act as observer throughout the five-day event, IPC partnered with the AAP through its corporate communications officer Ruben Manahan IV.

Getting behind the wheel of the test vehicles were the father-and-son tandem of Sergio and Ivan Isada who drove the manual version (supported by their crew, Arthur Guevara and Sonny Oliveros) and driving buddies Raymund Dimapilis and Enrico Mabunay who drove the automatic version (supported by crews, Carlo Consumido and Richard Rosales).

IPC President Hajime Koso (right) is joined by IPC VP for sales Daisuke Inaba during the flag off of the five-day fuel economy marathon of new 2.5-liter powered 2015 Isuzu D-Max.

After the flag-off in Manila, the two new 2015 D-Max arrived in Laoag with the manual version posting 485.3 km and the automatic transmission posting 489 km on their trip meters.

On the second day, the manual posted 352.4 km while the automatic posted 353.9 km on their way from Laoag to Tuguegarao.

On the third day, as both vehicles headed for Clark in Pampanga, the manual ended up with 454.2 km while the automatic with 457.4 km.

Longest segment

The fourth day was the longest as the convoy went south, passing along the traffic-riddled Edsa, then through Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Sur provinces (via the rough and uneven roads of Andaya Highway). Upon reaching the town of Polangui in Albay, the automatic version ended its run, covering a total of 1,873 km.

Even with the manual version’s fuel tank indicator already pointing at “empty,” the team reached the farthest end of Luzon island (Matnog port in Sorsogon) and still had enough left to return back.

Finally, on the busy road of Nabua, Camarines Sur, the manual version burned all its fuel and recorded an impressive 2,191 km.

“I believe the recent five-day event proved the mettle of our new 2015 D-Max in various road conditions and traffic situations. Considering that majority of Filipino buyers value fuel economy and want to keep new fuel-efficient innovations flowing, the introduction of a pickup powered by a small yet more powerful and efficient engine should be a great news for them,” said Balmadrid.

The new 2015 Isuzu D-Max is available in new cobalt blue color along with the existing hues: cosmic black, garnet red, titanium silver and splash white.

Prices for the new Isuzu D-Max are as follows: P1.487 million (automatic 4×4 LS); P1.428 million (manual 4×4 LS); P1.206 million (automatic 4×2 LS); P1.154 million (manual 4×2 LS); P1.178 million (manual 4×4 LT); P935,000 (manual LT-X); P872,000 (manual LT); and P712,000 (manual single cab model).