For ten years, Isuzu have been completing the infamously tough Borneo Safari with the D-Max. While in the past, the D-Max ran with 2.5L and 3.0L engines, this year Isuzu Malaysia are testing completing the expedition with their new 1.9L BluePower engine under the hood.
As with previous Borneo Safari runs, the new 1.9L D-Max will undergo just a few minor modifications for this off-road adventure. Here are some of the key equipment changes:
- extreme mud terrain tyres
- uprated suspension to accommodate the larger wheels
- heavy duty body protection
- winch
- air snorkel
Besides these components, the Borneo Safari D-Max 1.9L will be as you might find it in your nearest Isuzu showroom.
“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 Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia Masayuki Suzuki.
The 29th Borneo Safari will be held between 27 October 2019 and 3 November 2019. This time, the Safari will cover a different route; one that starts and ends in Kota Kinabalu but takes it past Beaufort, Tenom, Keningau and Tambunan. It is the 13th year that Isuzu Malaysia has supported the event.
For more on this story, check out the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Fresh from its recent launch, the new Isuzu D-Max 1.9 will face its litmus test when it undertakes the task of conquering one of Asia’s most extreme off-road events – Sabah’s infamous Borneo Safari.
For over a decade, the Isuzu D-Max 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre have proven to be one of the most capable vehicles in the event having safely and effectively transported members of the media through the rugged terrain despite receiving only minimal modifications to the basic vehicle.
The new ‘Blue Monster’ features the revolutionary new 1.9-litre engine, the smallest engine in its class, yet produces more power and torque than the older 2.5-litre engine while consuming less fuel and weighing 56kg less. Through 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 the new model 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 remains virtually stock standard and resembles models available to customers off the showroom floor.
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.
This year’s Borneo Safari is the 29th event in its history and the 13th year that it has received support from Isuzu Malaysia. The event is scheduled to begin in Kota Kinabalu on 27th October and will take a more southerly loop, skirting Beaufort, Tenom, Keningau and Tambunan before heading back to the city on 3rd November 2019 for the closing ceremony.
