ISUZU D-MAX 2.2 CONQUERS ONE TANK LOOP OF PENINSULAR

News Desk
Business
28/08/2026
10:35 am

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Kuala Lumpur, 28 August 2026 – The all-new Isuzu D-MAX, powered by the amazingly-capable new generation 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine successfully completed its one loop journey of the country using just a tankful of diesel.

The feat was accomplished in the D-MAX One Tank. One Nation Challenge, establishing once again that the Isuzu D-MAX remains beyond doubt, one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the nation, able to take on just about any journey around the country without needing to stop for additional fuel.

As a global manufacturer of advanced diesel engines with a vision of reducing the carbon footprint impact of vehicle users, Isuzu Motors continuously develops sophisticated technologies that offer improved capabilities and driving pleasure while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The resulting new 2.2-litre RZ4F-TC engine that was created to power the current Isuzu D-MAX exemplifies this desire to offer customers the best engine available in terms of performance, refinement, durability, reliability and efficiency.

To prove the amazing all-round superiority of the new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engines, the quest to circumnavigate the country began on Monday, 17^th August in Balakong, Selangor when two units of the D-MAX embarked on a counter-clockwise loop of the country, travelling through various states including Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor, making ten pit stops at Isuzu dealerships around the country before arriving at its destination at the Isuzu 3S Centre in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur on Saturday 22^nd August.

Significantly enough, both the trucks arrived at the finish line with ample fuel remaining in their tanks to easily continue on to Melaka again!

Isuzu Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer for Light Commercial Vehicles Kenichi Kudo remarked that the feat not only highlighted the new Isuzu D-MAX 2.2-litre engine’s fuel efficiency, it reinforced the capability of the D-MAX as a truly versatile vehicle that is ideal for every kind of road in Malaysia.

“The One Tank. One Nation Challenge was the result of us wanting to showcase the capability of the new Isuzu D-MAX and its 2.2-litre engine in a way that no others have done before. We also wanted to reflect the kind of road conditions that Malaysian motorists would face in their daily drives around the country including rain, heavy traffic, trunk roads, mountains and highways.

“Our confidence in its ability was great enough for us to publicize the entire drive with live updates on our social media pages so everyone could witness and openly follow its progress. We are proud that we took this challenge, proud that our 2.2L D-MAX accomplished what it set out to do, proud that we ‘Kept the Manifest Real’ in front of every Malaysian and delivered a result that proved beyond any doubt that the D-MAX remains the most fuel-efficient choice,” said Kudo.

The two units of the new Isuzu D-MAX were used in the challenge – a 4×4 Auto Premium and the amazingly-capable 4×2 Auto Plus, both returned with over four percent remaining in their fuel tanks, even after concluding the journey that clocked 1,756 km through highways, trunk roads and even traversing the mountainous East-West Link from Jeli to Gerik.

Driving the 2.2L TD 4×2 Auto Plus variant was Sing Yuin Christy who previously earned a place in the Malaysian Book of Records, clocking the longest distance ever driven in a pick-up truck using just one tank of fuel. Switching from her 3.0-litre D-MAX X-Terrain, Christy remarked how much easier it was to drive the 2.2-litre 4×2 Auto Plus this time due to the characteristics of the new engine and transmission combination.

“The throttle response of the new engine and the way its power delivery have been matched brilliantly to the ratios of the new 8-speed gearbox meant that we were usually in the correct gear for any given road condition. Cruising along trunk roads and highways in 7^th and 8^th gears also allowed us to coast along rather efficiently without needing too much throttle input thereby saving lots of fuel,” said Christy.

The new 2.2L TD 4×2 Auto Plus model is based on the highly-popular Standard variant sans the 4-wheel drive system thus reducing the kerb weight by some 80kgs and drag from its reduced ancillary drivetrain components. As the only manufacturer to offer a 4×2 variant in Malaysia, Isuzu makes long-distance travel and intra-urban commutes on sealed or semi-sealed surfaces exceptionally economical and dependable.

As part of the engagement on Isuzu’s social media pages, a ‘Guess the Final Mileage’ contest was was held with prizes worth over RM10,000.00 to be won. The winning entry was submitted from a participant from Kluang, Johor who accurately guessed the final mileage of 1,756km, winning himself RM5,000.00 worth of grocery shopping vouchers.

For official winner announcements and contest updates, please follow Isuzu Malaysia’s official social media platforms.