Remember the Isuzu D-Max 2.2TD single-tank challenge that embarked earlier this month? Turns out the convoy, dubbed the Isuzu One Tank. One Nation Challenge, has successfully completed a single full loop around Peninsula Malaysia by only using a single full tank of diesel fuel.
Flagging off on Aug 17, both the D-Max 2.2TD travelled from the Klang Valley area to various states across Peninsula Malaysia, including Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, and Selangor—all done without stopping for a refuel.
Across the Peninsula on One Tank
The journey took the D-Max 2.2TD across multiple road conditions, including straight highways, twisty trunk roads, and even the mountainous East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat) from Jeli to Gerik.
Along the way, the D-Max 2.2TD convoy made ten pit stops at selected Isuzu dealerships, with the final destination being the Isuzu 3S centre in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur, where both the pick-up trucks crossed the finish line on Aug 22, 2026.
All in all, the whole convoy has covered a total distance of 1,756 km, and the two D-Max 2.2TDs still had ample fuel of 4% remaining in their tanks, which Isuzu Malaysia said would be enough to take them to Melaka again.
Commenting on this successful challenge, Isuzu Malaysia COO for Light Commercial Vehicle Kenichi Kudo said, “The One Tank. One Nation Challenge was the result of us wanting to showcase the capability of the new Isuzu D-MAX and its 2.2-litre engine in a way that no others have done before. We also wanted to reflect the kind of road conditions that Malaysian motorists would face in their daily drives around the country, including rain, heavy traffic, trunk roads, mountains and highways.
“Our confidence in its ability was great enough for us to publicise the entire drive with live updates on our social media pages so everyone could witness and openly follow its progress. We are proud that we took this challenge, proud that our 2.2L D-Max accomplished what it set out to do, proud that we ‘Kept the Manifest Real’ in front of every Malaysian and delivered a result that proved beyond any doubt that the D-Max remains the most fuel-efficient choice,” Kudo added.
Isuzu’s ‘Best Engine Ever’
As mentioned earlier, a total of two new Isuzu D-Max 2.2TDs were used for this challenge, one of which was the 4×4 Auto Premium variant, while the other one was the 4×2 Auto Plus—both of which returned to the final destination with over 4% of fuel left in their respective tanks.
The key highlight for this challenge is the new 2.2-litre 4-cyl RZ4F-TC turbodiesel engine, which Isuzu dubbed their “best engine ever”, capable of outputting 163 PS and 400 Nm, while at the same time delivering better fuel efficiency than the 1.9-litre unit it replaces.
According to Isuzu, the engine itself features a new block, cylinder head, crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods, as well as a new turbocharger unit and a high-pressure, 250 MPa fuel injection system. Combined, the new unit is said to deliver a 10.7% improvement in extra-urban fuel consumption over the 1.9-litre unit while achieving a 56% improvement in off-the-line response.
