Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) subjected their popular mu-X and D-MAX models to a five-day fuel economy marathon run across the whole of Luzon to prove that these vehicles are not just sturdy and reliable, but also fuel-efficient.
Last February 9 to 13, 2016, IPC set out to test how far an Isuzu mu-X 4×2 LS-A 3.0L VGS and an Isuzu D-MAX 4×2 LS 3.0L VGS can go on just one full tank of fuel.
Two sets of driver-navigator teams undertook the task. Motoring enthusiasts Raymund Dimapilis and Enrico Mabunay drove the D-MAX, while Carlo Consumido and Richard Rosales drove the mu-X. Acting as official observer to verify the results was Michael Mercado of SMART Driving Corporation. IPC marketing head Joseph Bautista and IPC product planning head Robert Carlos were at the flag-off ceremony held at Petron NLEX Marilao.
After the flag-off, the two vehicles traversed the multiple road constructions northwards before capping the first-day at Bangui, Ilocos Norte. The D-MAX covered 534.8 kilometers while the mu-X had 526.5 kilometers, based on the trip meter reading.
By the second day, the mileages were 1,022 kilometers on the D-MAX and 1,009 kilometers for the mu-X before retiring for the night at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
The third day was quite challenging as both vehicles made their way from Solano through EDSA then down to Candelaria, Quezon were the D-MAX recorded a total of 1,453.6 kilometers while the mu-X registered some 1,454.8 kilometers.
The fourth day was a short route but it had to cover the busy town of Lucena followed by the uphill and downhill roads of Quezon Province, heading south towards Legazpi, Albay. The Isuzu mu-X ran out of fuel on its way right at Tagkawayan, Quezon totaling 1,605 kilometers or an average of 24.69 kilometers per liter.
The D-MAX, with its bigger fuel tank made it to Legazpi with more than 1,800 kilometers on the trip meter. The D-MAX team was off to an early start on the fifth day, heading further south to Juban, Sorsogon, where turned around to go back to Manila.
With the fuel tank indicator already showing empty, the Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L VGS was able to run another 454.5 kilometers before halting at Gumaca, Quezon, logging a total of 2,254.5 kilometers or a fuel efficiency rating of 29.66 kilometers per liter.
Commenting on the results, IPC president Hajime Koso happily remarked, “This result is unbelievable especially for the Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L VGS – this has been the farthest distance we ever drove on one full tank. The mu-X in its automatic transmission also gave an excellent performance; this is just proving the Isuzu is still leading in engine fuel economy.”
