Isuzu’s Xtreme Xperience

So what’s your weekend malling going to be like? Are you going to try out a few shirts, check the latest gadgets, pick up a book or two, then grab a cup of coffee?

How about being driven up a narrow 45-degree ramp that goes all the way up to two storeys-high, to stop briefly at the top with a view of what space shuttle astronauts probably see prior to launch?

Yep, the latter wouldn’t be your typical explanation to the “Guess what I did today?” line you’d ask your waiting partner. But that’s what over a thousand mall-goers in SM Cebu did last weekend at the Isuzu 4×4 Xtreme Xperience.

Xcitement demonstrated

Most potential customers in the market for SUVs or pickups don’t really get swayed by the detailed specs listed in brochures and websites, or test drives a block or two near around the dealership.

To do justice to what an automobile really is capable of, Isuzu came up with a veritable Isuzu-fest at the mall’s parking grounds with a humongous “action ramp” to vividly showcase the capabilities of the Isuzu D-Max 3.0 Liter 4×4, equipped with their new RZ4E engines with Blue Power technology.

The action ramp was engineered and built by Isuzu in Thailand, and shipped to the Philippines for Isuzu’s 4×4 Xtreme Xperience series.

Urban 4×4 demo done right—from left, IPC VP for Sales Yashuiko Oyama, Isuzu Cebu GM Steve Guinco, and IPC EVP Shojiro Sakada

Participants from the public understandably weren’t allowed to drive the D-Max up the ramp, which is literally just inches wider than the D-Max’s width.

Any miscalculation while dangling at the height of about 25 feet would be cause for more excitement than what’s preferred.

Instead, highly qualified driving instructors took on the driving duties, so the passengers were free to just concentrate on squealing in delight.

The uninitiated found it easier to appreciate what 380 Newton meters of torque feels like.

King of the iron hill: the 3.0 4×4 Isuzu D-Max, with stump-pulling torque takes on the action ramp with nary a grunt.

The 177 hp would be felt better though, on a highway test drive—which Isuzu made available at the event.

The torque and power the new 3.0 RZ4E turbodiesel 4×4 engine effortlessly propelled the D-Max up the steep ramp, and safely brought it down the other end.

The Blue Power Technology is what enables the RZ4E engine to deliver the most optimal power output for the least amount of fuel consumed, and what makes Isuzus the most fuel-efficient vehicles in their class.

On a recent fuel economy run conducted under normal driving conditions, the Isuzu D-Max 4×2 LS A/T with the RZ4E engine did 22.59 kpl of fuel, while the Isuzu Mu-X did 23.28 kpl—truly an amazing performance when you mind today’s soaring fuel prices.

More to look forward to

The action ramp could have been the highlight of the Xtreme Xperience, although the event had 15 stations of what was called the “Consumer Journey.”

This included an all-terrain display where Isuzus modded to the hilt were set up against a mock off-road terrain to show the camber-twisting flexibility of both the D-Max and mu-X’s suspensions and impressive ride heights.

The other activities were family-oriented and kid-friendly. Some were suited for older “kids”: Isuzu celebrity ambassador Maja Salvador stirred up the crowd with her sizzling song number, while heavy metal band Urban Dub delivered a blazing set that aptly capped the extreme event.

The Isuzu 4×4 Xtreme Xperience in Cebu City culminated last Sunday; it was previously held in Cagayan de Oro.

On Sept. 21 to 23, Isuzu’s Xtreme Xperience will be brought to Iloilo before finally going back to Manila to give a chance to those who hadn’t experienced it.

For the ride you’re eyeing to acquire, it’s always better to see it in action. Better yet, experience it in the most challenging of driving conditions.

Isuzu’s 4×4 Xtreme Xperience is definitely a more fun way of doing it.