The Isuzu D-Max ute and MU-X SUV are set to have their flagship engines downsized, however that will not come on the expense of energy and torque.
A teaser video posted on social media by Isuzu Thailand – which produces the D-Max, MU-X and Mazda BT-50 for international markets – previews the brand new MAXFORCE engine which is ready to interchange the venerable ‘4J’ 3.0-litre turbo-diesel presently powering the fashions.
Isuzu is but to element the brand new engine, nonetheless High Gear Philippines studies it’ll be a 2.2-litre unit, primarily based on the 1.9-litre four-cylinder ‘RZ4E’ turbo-diesel present in lower-spec variations of the D-Max, MU-X and BT-50 in Australia and overseas.
“Whereas it’s thrilling to see that Isuzu continues to innovate with new powertrains, we presently usually are not able to touch upon future product plans,” an Isuzu Ute Australia spokesperson instructed CarExpert.
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“Whereas the two.2-litre is predicted to be a step in the suitable path in the direction of assembly decrease emissions targets, at this cut-off date, particulars of the brand new powertrain are but to be confirmed.”
“That stated, Isuzu Ute Australia [is] dedicated to working in the direction of offering a selection of automobiles that aren’t solely compliant with all native laws, however are match for objective and meet the wants of Australians.”
Regardless of the rumoured 2.2-litre engine’s diminished capability, it’ll reportedly be as highly effective – if not much more so – than the bigger 3.0-litre it’s changing, possible as a result of a extra environment friendly turbocharger.
It’s doable the upcoming 2.2-litre engine may additionally ship a few of the gas financial savings of the newer RZ4E whereas not shedding any of the 4J’s efficiency capabilities.
The 1.9-litre engine – added to the Australian lineup in 2021 – gives patrons a less expensive level of entry to the mannequin vary, nonetheless its 110kW and 350Nm outputs are down on the 140kW/450Nm figures of the three.0-litre four-cylinder, which is a extra standard selection for individuals who are towing and touring.
In Australia, each engines are Euro 5 compliant, nonetheless a Euro 6 model of the 1.9-litre is out there in different abroad markets – although Thailand isn’t one in every of them.
Thai-market variations of the D-Max and MU-X are offered to Euro 4 requirements, and lack sure options – resembling diesel particulate filters (DPFs) – that are fitted to Australian examples that convey native fashions as much as Euro 5.
The timing of the brand new engine’s debut abroad comes only a few months earlier than Australia’s New Car Effectivity Normal (NVES) emissions rules come into impact.
From January 1, 2025, carmakers can have fleet CO2 targets to fulfill, they usually’ll be punished financially from July 1, 2025 if they’ll’t attain the mandates.
Within the case of the D-Max and MU-X, their 1.9-litre engine is extra economical and emits much less CO2 than the three.0-litre.
Evaluating D-Max SX 4×4 automated variants of the 2 engines, the 1.9-litre consumes a claimed 6.9L/100km and emits 180g/km of CO2 on the mixed lab cycle. In the meantime, the three.0-litre drinks a claimed 8.0L/100km and emits 207g/km.
In 2025, the emissions goal for ‘Kind 2’ mild business automobiles – which the D-Max, BT-50 and even MU-X fall beneath – will probably be 210g/km, which falls to 180g/km in 2026, 150g/km in 2027, 122g/km in 2028 and 110g/km in 2029.
Whereas Isuzu has usually been sluggish to introduce new engines in its Australian lineup, the upcoming NVES rules may pressure its hand to fast-track the two.2-litre turbo-diesel to the native lineup.
Isuzu Ute Australia instructed CarExpert in April, shortly after the NVES rules have been introduced, that it wouldn’t be unattainable to fulfill the emissions targets.
“That is essential for us to get it proper and the business to get it proper,” stated Isuzu Ute Australia PR supervisor Mark Harman.
“So we need to guarantee that the applied sciences are there and the infrastructures are there. Isuzu Japan has been on the report saying that they’ll introduce that BEV idea … when the infrastructure is prepared in different markets after Norway, which is destined for 2025.”
The potential transfer to a bigger RZ4E-based engine as a flagship powertrain providing would replicate Isuzu’s funding within the turbo-diesel powerplant, which debuted in 2017 – making it considerably youthful than the 4J which, at its core, dates again to the mid-Eighties.
Final month, Isuzu confirmed it will produce the D-Max Hello-Lander MHEV (mild-hybrid electrical automobile), which includes a 48-volt system on the 1.9-litre engine.
This fuel-saving know-how gained’t be obtainable on the three.0-litre engine, which has been upgraded all through its life to incorporate direct injection and a variable-geometry turbocharger, however is probably going in the direction of the tip of its lifecycle.
It’s not but locked in for Australia however will go on sale in Thailand, solely on rear-wheel drive variants and at a ten,000 Baht (circa $450) premium.
Isuzu has beforehand confirmed it’ll launch an electrical D-Max in Australia, although after it first goes on sale in Norway.
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