Isuzu D-Max Proves Its Toughness In Borneo Safari
The Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck has once again proved its toughness and off-roading capability in Borneo Safari – the annual off-road challenge that has a reputation as one of the toughest and most extreme in the 
region. Isuzu Malaysia had fielded the latest Isuzu D-Max with a 1.9L Blue Power turbo diesel engine to negotiate the tough terrain in the seven-day event in Sabah.
The Isuzu D-Max 1.9L Blue Power variant was launched in Malaysia quite recently in September 2019, and is the first EEV-certified (Energy Efficient Vehicle) pick-up in Malaysia. One of the D-Max trucks for the Borneo Safari was dressed up as the ‘Blue Monster’ as a media support vehicle, and it barely had 200 km on its odometer, which means it was quite ‘new’.
The ‘Blue Monster’ was virtually stock standard except for a few additions to make it more suited to the terrain including a body lift to fit the mud terrain tyres, long travel shock absorbers, snorkel, winch and heavy duty guards to protect the vehicle from the extreme elements faced in the jungles.
“Off-road enthusiasts understand that strong and balanced power delivery is vital when tackling extremes in the jungle. With its impressive power delivery perfectly matched to its new 6-speed gearbox, the new 1.9-litre Blue Power D-Max simply showed its pedigree and dispelled any notion about the capability of its diminutive engine displacement,” said Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia Masayuki Suzuki.
The ‘Blue Monster’ joined ‘Red Monster’, ‘White Monster’ and ‘Black Monster’ as part of Isuzu Malaysia’s commitment as the event’s Diamond Sponsor. Members of the media utilised the vehicles to get close to the heart of the action in this year’s event, which has been going on annually since 1991. Isuzu Malaysia has been a keen supporter of the event, furnishing it with its dependable Isuzu D-Max vehicles for the last 13 years.
The new Isuzu D-Max 1.9L Blue Power model features a revolutionary 1,898cc engine that utilizes state-of-the-art design and manufacturing to develop improved engine
performance and durability. It features lighter moving components and more finely-honed parts to reduce friction thus reducing stress on individual components. The new Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger also improves engine response particularly at low RPM to give drivers better drivability from very low engine revs thus resulting in better performance for both on- and off-road driving.
The D-Max was also given the organiser’s Special Award in recognition of its off-roading capabilities
