Contrary to whatever you make think, the internal combustion engine that Rudolf Diesel invented in the late 19th century is not ready to go into the history books yet. The engine named after him that has powered millions of vehicles – and not just motor vehicles – for more than 100 years may have gained a bad reputation at various times in its life, but its robustness and fuel efficiency have made it the preferred choice for commercial vehicles.
The introduction of the commonrail high-pressure fuel delivery system 20 years ago made it more popular for passenger vehicles as it enhanced performance and various solutions were found to reduce its ‘dirty’ image (although ‘dieselgate’ was damaging). Nevertheless, today’s diesel engines, mostly with turbochargers boosting output, are still popular powerplants for vehicles like pick-up trucks and SUVs in the passenger-carrying category.
Mazda began developing its SKYACTIV technologies over 10 years ago to raise fuel efficiency and engine output, and it has been constantly upgrading the technologies which are applicable to both petrol and diesel powerplants.
Mazda has been one of the diesel ‘loyalists’ and used its long engineering expertise to develop powerful, clean and efficient engines as part of the SKYACTIV powertrain family. Like some other Japanese carmakers, Mazda believes that a multi-solution approach is more suitable in the quest to reducing emissions to address climate change. Not all countries will be able to switch to electric vehicles at the same pace and some may still require combustion engines or hybrids, at least.
It has therefore not given up further development on combustion engines, pushing to the limits of the envelope to achieve lower emissions and better performance. It has now revealed an all-new e-SKYACTIV-D diesel engine which will be added to the Mazda CX-60 line-up in 2023.
Super-clean diesel engine
The new diesel engine is a Mazda first – a 3.3-litre unit that features Distribution-Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) Technology. This highly innovative advanced combustion technology makes the new e-SKYACTIV-D one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world, achieving a thermal efficiency of over 40%.
Developed using the ‘right sizing’ concept which optimises displacement to improve both fuel and power efficiency, the 3283 cc longitudinally installed commonrail electric direct injection 6-cylinder engine will have two power output levels: 200 ps and 254 ps. Depending on the model variant, there will be either 2-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Uses 48V hybrid boost system
The engine uses a new 48V Mazda M Hybrid Boost system to combine high output with excellent fuel economy. Together with the DCPCI technology, engine efficiency, emissions and fuel economy are improved. These contribute significantly to greater driving range, better performance and yet lower fuel consumption and low emissions.
6-cylinder engines are inherently smooth due to their ‘perfect balance’, which will contribute to drive enjoyment. The engine’s high torque delivery gives strong pulling power, even with a 2,500-kg trailer. Though it has a larger displacement and more cylinder, the e-SKYACTIV-D’s lightweight construction makes it weigh not more than the 2.2-litre Mazda SKYACTIV-D 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine used in the CX-5.
More new powertrains coming
In total, Mazda is launching 5 new electrified products in the next 3 years that feature its multi-solution platform architecture. These will include an in-line straight-six 3-litre e-SKYACTIV petrol engine and an e-Skyactiv PHEV. For the European market, the launch of the new CX-60 will take Mazda further forward in its fleet’s emission reduction to become entirely carbon-neutral by 2050. After 2025, the company will launch its brand new SKYACTIV EV Scalable Architecture which will allow Mazda to efficiently build electric cars of all sizes using one common platform.
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.
Isuzu Malaysia’s Dura Miles Challenge has proven that the Isuzu D-MAX is a champion when it comes to fuel economy. It has seen the pick-up truck being driven from Bangkok to Singapore on just one full tank of fuel, certainly an impressive achievement.
In the automotive world, technology constantly advances and the Isuzu D-MAX has become a more efficient all-round vehicle with new capabilities as well as those already embedded in its DNA. It has the new 1.9-litre Blue Power turbodiesel engine that produces more power and torque than the 2.5-litre powerplant it replaces.
To demonstrate its capable performance and engineering supremacy, Isuzu Malaysia loaded a 1.9-litre Single Cab model to its maximum permissible capacity of a ton and took it through some of the highest accessible hills along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. In total, it clocked over 1,000 kms and two bars of fuel still remained in the tank.
“The prowess of the Isuzu D-Max continues to astound with its remarkable capabilities. Despite being the pick-up truck with smallest displacement on the market, the 1.9-litre Isuzu D-Max completed the challenge with absolute ease and confidence. It truly suggests that the Isuzu D-Max 1.9-litre Blue Power has what it takes to get any job done,” said Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki.
Prior to starting its journey from its ‘birthplace’, the Isuzu-Hicom Malaysia factory in Pekan, Pahang, a thorough inspection of the vehicle was conducted by PUSPAKOM. This was to verify its conformity as a showroom-standard unit.
With its crates, bonnet and fuel tank sealed, the D-Max headed north for its first challenge – the East-West highway linking Jeli in Kelantan and Gerik in Perak with a climb to the peak of 1,052 metres before ending at Ipoh for the night.
The next day, the route was even more daunting as the lone white D-MAX travelled up 1,112 metres to Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands before heading on to Fraser’s Hill (1,222 metres) via Raub. From there, the journey took on an even-bigger challenge: the climb up to Genting Highlands at 1,604 metres before ending at the Isuzu Service Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor after clocking 1,145 kms.
It was certainly a very long way to go from Pekan to Shah Alam but the D-MAX passed through the gates of the finish point with ample fuel to spare in its 76-litre tank. Based on the reading from its on-board computer, the 1.9-litre engine had consumed an average of just 7.2 litres/100 kms or 13.7 kms/litre.
“Through advanced technology, the new 1.9-litre RZ4E-TC engine is by far the most fuel-efficient engine ever produced by Isuzu Motors and this was clearly demonstrated in this exercise. Perhaps some vehicles can travel long distances on a tank of fuel, and some can probably manage to carry a ton of weight or climb mountains. But to achieve all three criteria with one vehicle is a true feat of a competent vehicle,” added the CEO of Isuzu, Malaysia Koji Nakamura.
Isuzu BluePower engine
All D-Max models (including the 1.9-litre Single Cab) come with a 5-year 150,000-km warranty. To know more about the range and to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.isuzu.net.my/pickup.
Only recently launched in Malaysia, the new Isuzu D-Max 1.9 with the BluePower turbodiesel engine is going to face a very tough test – the Borneo Safari, one of Asia’s most extreme off-road events. This is not the first time for the D-MAX as models with the 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre engines have been conquering the Borneo Safari for a decade. But this is the first time that the new BluePower engine with a 1.9-litre displacement is being used.
“This year, we bring the challenge to the new 1.9-litre engine to prove just how capable it is over the unforgiving terrain despite its small engine displacement,” said the Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Masayuki Suzuki.
Isuzu’s revolutionary new 1.9-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (RZ4E-TC) is the smallest engine in its class. With new technology, the amazing thing is that ‘less equals more’ where output is concerned. A comparison between the BluePower engine and the 2.5-litre engine will show that the smaller engine produces 150 ps/350 Nm, whereas the bigger one generates with 136 ps/320 Nm.
With its innovative design and engineering, the new model is expected to perform better in the difficult off-road conditions as it has in on-road situations where it has impressed thus far. Apart from the extreme mud terrain tyres, uprated suspension to accommodate the larger wheels, heavy- duty body protection, a winch and an air snorkel, the ‘Blue Monster’ – as the D-MAX taking part is nicknamed – remains virtually stock standard and resembles models available to customers from Isuzu showrooms.
The Blue Monster was handed over to the organizing team of the Borneo Safari in Kota Kinabalu as part of Isuzu Malaysia’s commitment as the event’s Diamond Sponsor to provide media vehicles for the event.
Isuzu Malaysia has been a major supporter of the Borneo Safari for 13 years.
This year’s Borneo Safari is the 29th edition in its history and the 13th year that it has received support from Isuzu Malaysia. The event is scheduled to begin in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on October 27 and will take a more southerly loop, skirting Beaufort, Tenom, Keningau and Tambunan before heading back to the city on November 3.
Visit www.isuzu.net.my to know more about the latest Isuzu D-MAX.
Kia has officially launched its highly anticipated people mover, the Grand Carnival. The 8-seat MPV is a marked improvement over its predecessor as it features a sleeker silhouette, spacious interior and improved use of quality materials.
Measuring 5,115mm long, 1985mm wide and 1740mm high, the new Grand Carnival features a longer wheelbase than the previous model at 3,060mm. It now has better headroom thanks in part to lower positioned seat cushions, increased legroom for passengers and the roof no longer slopes to the tailgate, giving rise to better headroom for the third row of passengers.
Conforming to Kia’s current design language, the vehicle features a chrome tiger nose grille, elongated headlights that wrap around the front fascia which provides the vehicle with a slightly aggressive look.
“The sophisticated All New Grand Carnival appears sleek and bold with striking features and design that makes it stand out among other MPVs”, said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group Chief Operating Officer, Automotive, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The same is true for the rear, which features broad tail lamps and metal surfaces. Unlike the vehicle it replaces, this Grand Carnival’s tailgated is now electronic and automated, meaning it will open the moment the vehicle senses that the key is in close proximity of it. Both sliding doors are electrically powered and as such, can be opened and closed with a push of a button.
Like the current generation of Kia vehicles, this one features a rather well laid out interior and the most noticeable of the lot is the 4.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has a MP3 CD player and integrated six speaker setup, USB and AUX connectivity and plays nicely with the reverse camera. The dashboard has two glove compartments stacked vertically, enabling increased storage capacity. The seats are wrapped in leather, front and second row seats have overhead consoles above them and tri-zone fully automatic air-con ventilators.
As a means to increase cargo space, the third row of seats can be folded flat to increase total volume. The second row features a seat that can be removed to increase space or offer better legroom for the third row passengers.
Under the front armrest, more storage space is available which is sufficient to fit a handbag or a book. Passengers in the rear have their own storage spaces where they can place items of their choosing.
Powering the new Grand Carnival is a 2.2-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel engine that’s mated to a six speed automatic transmission. the engine develops 190bhp and 440Nm of torque, which should offer sufficient power to this people mover.
Like its predecessor, the new vehicle maintains the use of MacPherson front and Multi-link rear suspension. The hydraulic rebound spring, stiffer suspension bars and cross-member bush mountings is said to improve bump absorption and increase passenger comfort.
As for wheels, it gets 18-inch alloy ones and features a myriad of safety equipment including front and rear parking sensors, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist System, six airbags and HID with Daytime Running Lights (DRL).
Kia is currently offering the Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D EX for RM185,888 and the 2.2DKX for RM165,888. Visit the company wesbsite or your nearest dealership for more information.
