Isuzu D-Max 2.2 drives 1,756 km on one tank
Isuzu Malaysia's 'One Tank. One Nation Challenge' saw two 2026 D-Max pick-ups drive a 1,756 km loop of Peninsular Malaysia on one tank of diesel, finishing
Isuzu Malaysia has completed a fuel-efficiency challenge with its 2026 D-Max pick-up trucks. Two vehicles drove a 1,756 km loop of Peninsular Malaysia on a single tank of diesel, finishing with over 4% of their fuel remaining.
The 'D-Max One Tank. One Nation Challenge' took place over several days, starting on August 17 and concluding on August 22. The journey was a counter-clockwise loop covering highways, trunk roads, and the mountainous East-West Link Expressway.
Challenge Route and Execution
The drive passed through multiple states including Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak, and Selangor. The trucks made ten pit stops at Isuzu dealerships before finishing at the Isuzu 3S centre in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur. Isuzu Malaysia provided live social media updates throughout the event.
Kenichi Kudo, Isuzu Malaysia's COO for light commercial vehicles, explained the rationale. He said the challenge was designed to showcase the capability of the new D-Max and its 2.2 litre engine in a way no others have done. The route reflected road conditions Malaysian motorists face daily, including rain, heavy traffic, trunk roads, mountains, and highways.
Vehicle Specifications and Driver Feedback
The 2026 D-Max, launched in March, features the new RZ4F-TC 2.2 litre inline-four turbodiesel engine. This unit replaces the previous 1.9 litre engine. Two variants were used for the endurance run.
| Variant Used | Driver | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4×4 AT Premium | Not specified | Participated in the full loop challenge |
| 2.2L 4×2 Auto Plus | Sing Yuin Christy | Holds a Malaysian Book of Records entry for longest distance in a pick-up on one tank |
Driver Sing Yuin Christy, who previously drove 2,000 km from Thailand to Malaysia on one tank for a record, commented on the new powertrain. She said the throttle response and power delivery were brilliantly matched to the new eight-speed gearbox. This meant they were usually in the correct gear for any road condition. Cruising in seventh and eighth gears on trunk roads and highways allowed for efficient coasting without excessive throttle input, saving significant fuel.
Kudo expressed pride in the result. He stated the company's confidence was great enough to publicize the entire drive openly. He added that they are proud the 2.2L D-Max accomplished its goal and delivered a result that proves the D-Max remains the most fuel-efficient choice. The trucks finished their 1,756 km journey with enough fuel to continue effortlessly to Melaka.
