Isuzu’s mu-X seven seater lifestyle SUV is set for the ultimate test by taking on perhaps one of the most daunting challenges out there – participation in the 2016 Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge to be held in Sabah from October 30 till November 6, 2016.
For the first time, one unit of modified Isuzu mu-X `Monster’ will spearhead Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s 4-vehicle team to take on the unforgiving jungles of Sabah in the 26th edition of the largest and most established modified 4X4 event in Asia. The other Isuzu vehicles are three D-Max ‘Monster’ pick-ups,
Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association President Faez A Nordin thanked Isuzu for being the Diamond Sponsor of the 2016 Borneo Safari.
“We are thankful that Isuzu has been supporting the event for the past 10 consecutive years. Their unwavering support is one of the key reasons why we have been able to grow this event from strength to strength. We have 400 participating vehicles this year, which is the highest in the history of Borneo Safari. And the number keeps going up every year!” he said.
This year’s Borneo Safari would be one of the toughest yet. The route chosen by the organisers, which runs along the base of Mount Kinabalu and stretches across the districts of Ranau and Kota Marudu, includes nearly 40 km of hardcore trails comprising mainly abandoned logging trails and several river crossings.
Modifications to the Isuzu mu-X were limited to the exterior as the 2.5-litre VGS turbo Intercooler diesel engine matched to a 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift remained stock standard.
Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd Executive Director Hajime Machimura expressed confidence in the ability of the Isuzu mu-X to excel despite the rough terrains and treacherous weather expected in the 2016 Borneo Safari.
“Although it is a lifestyle SUV, the Isuzu mu-X shares the same tough DNA as our Isuzu D-Max pick-up, which has repeatedly proven itself in every edition of Borneo Safari since its debut in 2005. It is definitely all set for more,” he said.
