An all-new Isuzu D-MAX for 2021 is due to make its appearance later this month, which is surprise news as this third generation model – which had its global debut just 18 months ago in Thailand – was expected to arrive only next year.
Explaining the speedy introduction, the Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia’s Light Commercial Division, Masayuki Suzuki, said that the fast-tracked launch of the new D-Max was made possible through the support of Isuzu Motors Ltd. that views Malaysia as a strategic market. It is important enough that the company even invested it having its own assembly plant locally (in Pekan, Pahang).
“We are extremely thrilled that this impressive all-new Isuzu D-Max has been made available in Malaysia much earlier than expected. As the fifth country in the world to launch this model after its global introduction in Thailand, it stands as testament to the strong commitment from Isuzu Motors towards ensuring that the Malaysian market enjoys the latest selection of choice Isuzu vehicles,” he said.
Mr. Suzuki said the D-Max has an estimated price range between RM89,000 and RM145,000, depending on the variant and subject to government approvals. He said that those who wish to be the first owners can place their booking from today at all authorized Isuzu dealerships nationwide.
“The all-new Isuzu D-Max has made scores of new fans in the markets it has been introduced in and I believe that the same will happen here in Malaysia. This new model evokes a new level of interest in owning and driving a pick-up truck hence we have initiated this pre-launch booking programme to ensure those who have eagerly awaited the arrival of the new model will be among the very first to take delivery once it has been officially launched,” he said.
The award-winning RZ-4E 1.9-litre turbodiesel ‘Blue Power’ engine.
Bold and sporty with more space inside
The latest D-Max model has been extensively developed to exceed the normal perimeters of a pick-up truck while adding an emotive dimension to its highly dependable and impressively-capable character. Developed on a design theme of’ bold and sporty’, it presents a strong road presence from its masculine frontal design and purposeful outline that exudes a more athletic and dynamic stance.
With its larger overall dimensions and longer wheelbase that enable a more spacious cabin and larger load bed, owners will enjoy improvements in aspects such as comfort, space and versatility making this truck ideal for every purpose.
2 bodystyles, 2 engine choices
As before, there will be single and double cab bodystyles, and customers will have a choice of the award-winning RZ-4E 1.9-litre powerplant or a revised 4JJ-3TCX 3-litre engine. Both engines, which deliver strong output, have already been proven for their durability, reliability and fuel efficiency.
The new D-MAX has been tested by ASEAN NCAP and received the maximum rating of 5 stars.
5-star safety
ASEAN NCAP, the independent organization which evaluates vehicle safety, has already tested the new D-MAX and after analysing data from a crash test as well as other results, the maximum 5-star rating was awarded. Besides this assurance of a high level of protection for the occupants, there’s a host of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (available in selected variants) to help avoid accidents.
To learn more about the all-new Isuzu D-Max or to find a showroom to make a booking, visit the Isuzu D-Max Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ISUZU.DMax.Malaysia/.
2020 was undoubtedly a challenging year for the automotive industry, not just in Malaysia but worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted businesses as restrictions on movements not only affected production of vehicles but sales also slowed down as customers could not visit showrooms. Nevertheless, while the first half of the year saw a slowdown, the second half of 2020 made up for the lost sales. New vehicle sales in the Malaysian market closed at 529,434 units, 12% lower than 2019 but well past the forecast of 470,000 made by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).
In fact, some companies did even better in 2020 compared to the year before, and Isuzu Malaysia was one of them. While the brand continued its dominance in the commercial vehicle market for the 11th consecutive year, a large contribution came from the new D-MAX pick-up truck which had its first full year of sales (it was officially launched in Malaysia in September 2019).
We talked to Masayuki Suzuki, Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, to get insights into the company’s impressive performance in 2020, in spite of the difficult conditions and limitations due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Extracts from the interview:
Congratulations on another successful year for Isuzu Malaysia! How was it possible to maintain and even improve the business performance in spite of such tough conditions brought on by the pandemic?
Thank you! Yes, Isuzu Malaysia did remarkably well in 2020 with a total number of 8,820 vehicles delivered to our customers nationwide. We were happy to maintain our leading position in the light commercial vehicle segment for the 11th consecutive year but what helped to push our overall numbers up was the D-MAX which had its first full year of sales.
The latest D-MAX range has up to 11 variants to choose from, meeting different needs and budgets.
How many units of the D-MAX were sold and why was it so popular?
We sold 4,031 units, which was around 4% higher than the number sold in 2019. Of course, in 2019, we had a mixture of sales of the previous generation as well as, from September, the all-new model with the 1.9-litre turbodiesel RZ4E engine. The fact that our volume of D-MAX sales rose confirms that the new engine size is acceptable to customers and even moved the position of the model up one place in the pick-up truck segment in Malaysia.
That’s impressive! Certainly, it was a bold move for Isuzu Malaysia to introduce an engine with a smaller displacement as pick-ups have usually used big engines. Why did Isuzu go for a smaller engine when it had the capable and proven 2.5-litre engine?
Isuzu, as you know, has much experience in engines and the reliability, durability and fuel efficiency of our engines has firmly established the brand in many countries, including Malaysia. Traditionally, light commercial vehicles and pick-up trucks have used bigger engines because they are heavier and they also carry heavy loads. The simple solution before has therefore been to just install a big engine which would provide sufficient power and torque.
However, with the beginning of the 21st century, the need to conserve resources and also reduce pollution has been clear. While there is now a trend towards electrification of powertrains, internal combustion engines will still be around for some time and therefore, it was necessary to find new solutions to address the issues. This led the industry to downsize engines and the benefits were many – reduced weight, reduced size, lower emissions, better fuel efficiency and in countries like Malaysia, lower annual roadtax (in Peninsular, the roadtax for the 1.9-litre engine is 52% lower compared to the 2.5-litre engine).
Of course, a smaller displacement should mean less power is developed and that was true in the past. Today, there are many new technologies which our engineers used and with these advanced technologies, the new engine has 10% more power, 9.4% more torque and lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to the 2.5-litre engine. Not surprisingly, it also has as much as 19% better fuel consumption figures.
Isuzu RZ4E 1.9-litre DDi Blue Power turbodiesel engine
What sort of technologies are used in this new RZ4E engine that have made it possible to achieve such impressive improvements?
There are so many and it is the combination of all the technologies that has led to the great achievement for an engine of such a size. Our engineers used Isuzu’s original analytical technology of diesel combustion and designed the pistons and combustion chambers to burn the fuel and air more completely, extracting every bit of energy available. They also worked hard to reduce internal friction levels and these much lower levels increase performance while also enhancing fuel efficiency.
Incidentally, the engine has 4 valves per cylinder so breathing is efficient but just as importantly, fuel delivery is optimised with the high-pressure injection system. The high pressure sends in fuel that is fully atomised and that makes combustion very efficient, so there is no wastage. Using a turbocharger is not new and has been a solution to boosting output for decades. However, the turbocharger installed in the RZ4E engine has variable geometry vanes. This variability gives better engine flexibility with stronger response, even at the lower rpm range. It is no longer necessary to use a large turbocharger for better boost as the variable vanes can adjust the pressures according to operating conditions. This means that the engine can deliver its best performance at all times.
I should add that we also developed a new 6-speed transmission that gives a higher drive force compared to the transmission used before. The new unit comes with two overdrive gears for fifth and sixth – benefitting fuel economy – and a ‘Gear Change Control Learning’ function to adapt its performance to the driving style.
Isuzu 1.9-litre DDi Blue Power turbodiesel engine won an award from Carlist.My. It was received by the CEO of Isuzu Malaysia, Koji Nakamura (left) and COO of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki (right).
The engine sounds very advanced but what about reliability? Doesn’t a smaller engine have to work harder and that can affect its service life?
As I mentioned earlier, our D-MAX has been well known for reliability and durability, making it one of the more popular pick-up trucks in the region. For years, the dependability of Isuzu engines has meant fleet operators do not have to worry about downtime in the service centre to carry out repairs or change parts. This was something our engineers ensured would be the same with the new engine. In fact, the extensive testing done in extreme conditions showed that the new engine will have better service life, which means reduced cost of ownership and maintenance in the long run.
The Isuzu Blue Power turbodiesel powertrain as well as the rest of the latest D-MAX have been engineered for the most extreme conditions. This capability was proven when standard vehicles (except for safety equipment) completed the gruelling Borneo Safari last year.
The cast iron engine block, for example, is tougher with not only 13% more stiffness than the 2.5-litre engine but also more wear-resistant, thanks to induction hardening. The timing chain is made of steel, and that will last a long time. The valves also used Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters to maintain their settings constantly so that operation is kept at optimum.
Overall, therefore, I am confident that the new 1.9-litre engine is a better engine than what we have offered before – with no drawbacks because of its small size. It is also properly tuned for Malaysian fuel quality, including biodiesel (B20 compliant).
What have your customers said about the new D-MAX?
Our products have fundamentally enjoyed a strong appeal in difficult times. There are many factors that customers have always appreciated, such as good value, low operating cost, high dependability and good all-round capabilities. With the new D-MAX, we have added new technologies that enhance all those aspects.
Those who have bought the new D-MAX have been surprised by how it performs. Some reported that it feels quieter and smoother and that is not their imagination. The engine has actually been engineered to run more smoothly and quietly. Driveability is also noticeably better, the feedback tells us, and this is partly due to the new Vehicle Launch Assist Control that increases engine revs when moving off.
Isuzu D-MAX powered by the 1.9-litre DDi Blue Power turbodiesel engine encountered no difficulties travelling over the Titiwangsa mountain range with a full load on board.
The strength of the D-MAX does not need proving any more but as this model has a smaller engine, we decided to demonstrate its capability once again. We did this by loading a Single Cab model to its maximum permissible capacity of a ton and took it over some of the highest accessible hills along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. It performed well and in total, over 1,000 kms were clocked – and two bars of fuel still remained in the tank at the finish!
By the way, we also provided the latest D-MAX for the Borneo Safari last year. Isuzu Malaysia has been a major sponsor and supplier of official vehicles for this tough off-road event for 13 years. Naturally, with the introduction of the D-MAX with its new 1.9-litre engine, we saw an opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities and prove that it can do equally well. It completed the event which had heavily-modified off-road vehicles and certainly was an eye-opener for many people!
Who are the people who buy the D-MAX? Are they mostly bought for private use or for workhorse functions?
In the past – and I am talking about before the 2000s – pick-up trucks were mainly used for commercial purposes to transport goods in rough terrain. That changed as the vehicles became more comfortable with many convenience features added. So the buyer profiles changed from commercial vehicle operators to include private owners as well. I feel it is quite an achievement that one vehicle type can satisfy both types of customers as it obviously ticks all the right boxes!
The D-MAX is a versatile vehicle for private use as well as for tough workhorse duties.
Pick-up trucks have come a long way from their workhorse days and while they do offer very tough and durable characteristics, the level of development also makes them more appealing to a mass market through their sophistication, comfort features and safety.
Besides the 1.9-litre engine, we also offer the 3-litre turbodiesel engine which is required by some customers in East Malaysia. However, it is clear that most people appreciate all the benefits of the smaller engine as it accounted for 85% of D-MAX sales last year. We also saw a spike in sales of our workhorse models such as the Single Cab and low-rider variants.
The Stealth Edition of the D-MAX was a limited edition model and sold out within 2 months of being introduced.
Continuing the tradition of offering limited edition versions, we developed a Stealth Edition for the D-MAX and it was a hit. Within two months of its launch in August 2020, all units were sold out. Incidentally, we assemble the D-MAX at our own plant in Pekan, Pahang.
How do you see the market in 2021? Will Isuzu Malaysia be launching new models or just focus on consolidating its position as conditions hopefully get better?
The Malaysian Automotive Association is optimistic about the market improving and forecasts an 18% increase in the volume of commercial vehicle and pick-up sales. It is still early to say how the market will be but with the good news that the vaccine for COVID-19 is available in Malaysia, we expect that consumer confidence will grow and with it, new vehicle sales will also go up.
Isuzu dealership in Taiping, Perak.
We are always looking at giving customers more variety to choose from, and there are some new models under consideration. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen our network which is especially important to our commercial customers. We will make sure that Isuzu owners are never far from an Isuzu dealership where they can get support and replacement parts.
Visit www.isuzu.net.my to know more about the D-MAX and other Isuzu products and services available in Malaysia.
“There’s no replacement for displacement’ used to be the belief in the auto world, especially among enthusiasts as well as those who sold or used commercial vehicles. Back in the days before turbocharging was widely used, getting more power from an engine meant making it bigger. A larger displacement allowed more air and more fuel in the combustion chamber, generating more power upon combustion.
That approach remained for decades, especially in America where fuel was cheap and drivers liked lots of power and torque. For the commercial vehicle sector, big engines were a must (and still are), for the high output needed to haul heavy loads. The higher compression ratios possible, resulting in higher pressures, produce more torque. And the more torque available, the better when it comes to carrying and moving heavy loads.
However, since the beginning of this century, environmental concerns have required manufacturers to address issues of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. For petrol engines, downsizing has been a popular approach, coupled with technologies like direct injection and turbocharging which have even boosted output while making engines smaller (in displacement as well as size) and lighter.
For diesel engines, the initial solution was the introduction of commonrail fuel delivery system along with more advanced turbocharging. However, displacement remained big as there was still the matter of ‘no replacement for displacement’. While commonrail systems have raised outputs and made diesel engines more refined, large displacements have still be maintained which needed to be addressed.
Drawing on its very long experience specializing in diesel engines and developing them, Isuzu Motors naturally took on the challenge of developing a new generation of engines that would be in tune with the demands of the 21st century. Having developed a very wide range of engines with displacements of even more than 15 litres, Isuzu’s engineers had the knowledge and skills for the mission.
While the need to downsize the engines in the bigger commercial vehicles was not so urgent, there was a need to do so for the smaller range of engines used in pick-up trucks like the popular D-MAX. With pick-ups becoming increasingly used as an alternative to passenger cars for daily transportation, customers wanted more economical and efficient engines but still with the useful characteristics of the conventional turbodiesel engines.
The optimum size for today
Besides Isuzu’s original analytical technology of diesel combustion, extensive research and simulations identified 1.9 litres as the optimum size for the 4-cylinder configuration common in pick-up trucks. This was the starting point for the all-new engine which would come to be designated ‘RZ4E’. Three clear objectives were pursued: a) Best-in-Class fuel consumption; b) High reliability for long life; and c) Low noise levels. Straightforward objectives but challenging to meet and the engineers drew on new technologies to achieve them.
Downsizing the displacement would immediately result in lower weight, which is always a goal of engineers. Reducing internal friction – by as much as 37% – was also an important objective as less friction can improve power output. Computer-aided design of the pistons and combustion chambers also improved efficiency.
Along with optimised structural engineering and the use of better materials, the overall result was an engine that was not only more efficient but also surpassed the performance levels of bigger engines.
Less displacement but more output!
Compared to the 2.5-litre engine of the 4J series popularly used in the D-MAX before, the new RZ4E engine produces 110 kW of power at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 1,800 rpm and 2,600 rpm. These represent increases of 10% in power and 9.4% in torque – with a displacement that is 14% less. Notably, the improvement has not taken away the desirable characteristic of a diesel engine which is its flat torque curve.
Reliability is an important thing for Isuzu and is one of the reasons why its pick-up trucks are popular. Those who are in the commercial vehicle sector appreciate reliability and durability as they cannot afford to have a vehicle in the workshop frequently for repairs. The same also generally applies to any vehicle owner as everyone wants to enjoy using their vehicle as much as possible, and to keep cost of ownership low.
More reliable and durable
To improve the reliability aspects, the engineers installed Hydraulic Lash Adjusters (HLA) which automatically ensure that the valve lifters are always correctly adjusted. Likewise, the use of a serpentine belt also keeps the fanbelt correctly tensioned at all times. Incidentally, the timing chain is of steel for a long service life, another strong point of Isuzu engines.
Having a more advanced engine with higher output and higher efficiency would be wasted if that extra output could not be utilized fully. To ensure this, the engineers also developed a better transmission system with a new 6-speed manual transmission as well. The aim was to provide smoother and stronger takeoffs, especially on slopes, and this led to the development of the Vehicle Launch Assist Control. Basically, this feature manages engine output, raising torque levels at the time when the vehicle is starting off. The final gear ratio has also been revised to improve driveability and acceleration.
Tuned for Malaysian conditions
Isuzu sells its vehicles all over the world and different countries and regions have different regulations as well as fuel. To ensure that customers would be able to enjoy the maximum benefits of the new RZ4E engine, extensive testing is conducted before launch.
In the case of the Malaysian market, much of the testing focused on performance in high altitude areas and tuning the engine to run optimally on the lower quality fuel which today is Euro 2 B20 biodiesel. The studies led to the installation of a pre-fuel filter to ensure fuel cleanliness.
The attention to ensuring that the engine could meet all the conditions of the Malaysian market ensured that it could be introduced with confidence. Isuzu Malaysia would lead the market in bringing an innovative engine to Malaysian customers as no other manufacturer has offered a downsized turbodiesel engine with no compromise in performance and capabilities.
Certainly, it destroys the perception that there is ‘no replacement for displacement’! And where fuel efficiency is concerned, the D-MAX with the RZ4E engine is the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to qualify as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV).
Proven in the Isuzu Dura Challenge
The 2020 Isuzu Dura Challenge proved the engineering supremacy of the new RZ4E ‘Blue Power’ engine. Isuzu Malaysia loaded a 1.9-litre D-MAX to its maximum permissible capacity of a ton and took it over some of the highest accessible hills along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range in Peninsular Malaysia.
In total, the vehicle clocked over 1,000 kms, with two bars of fuel still remaining in the tank. More significantly, the D-MAX with the Blue Power turbodiesel engine never had any difficulty in the high altitudes, even with such a heavy load on board.
Since its launch, the superiority of the Isuzu engine has been recognized by awards such as the Carlist ‘Diesel Engine of the Year (2019 & 2020)’ and it would certainly have been influential in the D-MAX being selected as ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year 2020′ (DSF).
The best way to experience this is to take a test-drive of the latest Isuzu D-MAX, available at any authorized Isuzu dealership nationwide. To locate a dealership, visit www.isuzu.net.my.
For the last 13 consecutive years, Isuzu Malaysia has been providing the Borneo Safari (which began in 1991) with vehicles for the media and officials to use. The vehicles have been D-MAX models and not used just to ferry people to the starting and finishing locations but have actually followed the participants deep into the jungle.
And each year, along with those that survived one of the toughest and most extreme events in the region, the D-MAX would also arrive at the finish line. This fact has helped build the solid reputation of the pick-up truck as one of the toughest and most capable off-road vehicles in the annual off-road challenge.
New Blue Power 1.9-litre powerplant
Until this year, the vehicles supplied had big turbodiesel engines, typical for most pick-up trucks. However, with the introduction of the advanced new Blue Power 1.9-litre engine in the latest D-MAX launched this year in Malaysia, the D-MAX entered was something entirely new, powerplant-wise. And, in fact, the vehicle that was sent to Sabah was so new it had only clocked 200 kms after leaving the Isuzu Malaysia assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang.
However, confident in its durability and capabilities, Isuzu Malaysia encouraged the media who used it to drive it as hard as necessary during the gruelling 7-day event. It impressed so much that the organiser gave a Special Award recognizing its remarkable off-roading capabilities.
Two of the other vehicles with more ‘hardcore’ modifications made to tackle the 7-day event.The D-MAX 1.9 was virtually standard except for necessary protective additions and in fact, it was not even fully run-in at the start of the event.
Virtually standard with 200 kms on the clock
Nicknamed the ‘Blue Monster’, the vehicle 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 encountered along the way.
The ‘Blue Monster’ joined ‘Red Monster’, ‘White Monster’ and ‘Black Monster’ as part of Isuzu Malaysia’s commitment as the event’s Diamond Sponsor.
“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 the Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki.
