The newly launched (for the Malaysian market) 2019 Isuzu D-Max 1.9 taking part in one of the toughest and most well known off-roading challenge, the Borneo Safari. This year marks the 29th Borneo Safari event and it is the 13th time Isuzu Malaysia have supported it. Held in Sabah, the event will begin in Kota Kinabalu on the 27th of October and will carry on till the 3rd of November after which the contestants will face a multitude of off-roading tests, challenges and tribulations.
Over the past ten or so years, Isuzu Malaysia has participated in the Borneo Safari with the Isuzu D-Max 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre variants. These robust pickup trucks have proven to be very capable vehicles throughout the years of participation where they have safely and reliably transported members of the media through the rugged terrain of the tropical rain forests. This was despite receiving only minimal modifications to the vehicle which anyone can buy from the Isuzu dealerships here.
However, 2019 marks a change as Isuzu Malaysia have finally brought in the smaller, but more efficient and almost equally as powerful 1.9liter direct injection commonrail turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. The Borneo Safari will be its proving ground and Isuzu Malaysia wants to do just that. This year's main Isuzu entry will be the Isuzu D-max which they are dubbing as the ' Blue Monster'.
“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 new ‘Blue Monster’ features the Isuzu's new 1.9-litre engine. It may be 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 all of these new engineering and updates, this latest D-Max is expected to perform better in the difficult off-road conditions.
As stated above, the 'Blue Monster' D-Max will have some modifications but not until it isn't recognisable as a showroom stock D-Max. What is fitted is a necessity in making ANY 4x4 totally fit for the challenges in the wilds of Sabah. It will be fitted with extreme mud terrain tyres, uprated suspension to accommodate the larger wheels, heavy duty body protection, a winch and an air snorkel for those water crossing locations. However, from the photo above, the it does look virtually stock standard apart from the increased height due to the larger wheels. Apart from the stickers too, that is!
There was a small handing over ceremony of the Blue Monster to the organizing team of the Borneo Safari over in Kota Kinabalu. This vehicle will be part of Isuzu Malaysia’s commitment as the event’s Diamond Sponsor to provide media vehicles for the event.
The event is scheduled to begin in Kota Kinabalu on 27 th October and will take a more southerly loop, skirting Beaufort, Tenom, Keningau and Tambunan before heading back to the city on 3 rd November 2019 for the closing ceremony.
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