FIRST DRIVE: 2019 Isuzu D-Max 1.9L Ddi BluePower

The 2019 Isuzu D-Max 1.9L Ddi BluePower will soon be launched here in Malaysia, marking the introduction of the smaller RZ4E-TC turbodiesel unit in the market. It has been four years since the engine was first introduced in Thailand back in 2015, but the delay was mainly due to Isuzu Malaysia’s development work to ensure the engine would be reliable and performed as it should in our local environment.

To achieve that, models sold here will be fitted with a pre-fuel filter as standard, which helps cope with the fuel quality here, particularly Euro 2M diesel. There are also plans to adapt the engine to run on B20 biodiesel, with tests already underway, albeit as a proactive measure before the government mandates the sale of B20 fuel by 2020.

The 1.9 litre four-cylinder engine features double overhead cams (DOHC), common rail direct injection and a Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger. It runs on 16.5:1 compression ratio, outputting 150 PS at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,600 rpm. That’s quite an improvement over the older 4JK1-TCX 2.5 litre turbodiesel, which made 136 PS and 320 Nm.

Besides that, the smaller engine also boasts less internal friction (by 37%), making it 19% more fuel efficient (as tested in Thailand), with a claimed fuel consumption of eight litres per 100 km. Other benefits include a quieter and smoother ride, as well as the fitment of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

GALLERY: 2019 Isuzu D-Max 1.9L Ddi BluePower in Phuket