ISUZU Motors South Africa, and its partner for the trip, Engen SA, endeavoured to showcase the economical fuel consumption and money-saving capabilities of its vehicle, the D-MAX 1.9 Ddi. The vehicle used on the trip has a good reputation for being fuel efficient, dependable, and suitable for both fleet operators and private customers.
The rising costs of goods and services are making consumers find more affordable ways to keep their budget on the positive side. The same is true with motorists who have had to endure a gradual rise in the costs of filling up for many months now. Car manufacturers can create some goodwill and interest should they be able to enable motorists to travel safely and travel economically.
The One Tank Challenge trip, set off at ISUZU’s Midrand offices, with pit stops at the Engen 1 Stop Shops in Bloemfontein, Colesberg, and Laingsburg. Both ISUZU SA and Engen SA participated in the challenge. The journey featured 10 drivers (five driving pairs) who represented motoring journalists and influencers. Out of the 5 pairs, 4 made it to Cape Town Engen Winelands One Stop, while 3 were able to make it to the finish line at Signal Hill without needing an additional refill.
Traversing some of the most beautiful parts of the country and coming across breathtaking views. Driving with their aircon on and through, flat and mountainous terrain, the trip covered 1 452 km. On average, the fuel consumption per 100 km was set at 5,58 litres, with kilometres per litre clocking in at a median of 17.93 km/L.
In preparing for the challenging trip, renowned race driver, and head of the ISUZU Driving Academy, Grant McCleery mentioned that “vehicles were prepared in accordance with ISUZU SA’s specifications. The vehicle fuel and oil types were checked and ensured that they were at the right levels. Tyre pressures were inflated to the maximum recommended limit that the vehicles serviced as per the recommended service schedules.”
“No wing mirrors, aerials, or any other items were removed from the vehicles. The diesel fills were monitored, and the tanks were sealed under independent adjudication. Wheel balancing and alignment were checked to ensure that they were within the recommended specification,” McCleery continued to reaffirm. Although the primary purpose of the ISUZU One Tank Challenge was to showcase the efficiency and utility of the D-MAX bakkie, the opportunity was also used to impart driving tips to drivers thus equipping them with the requisite skills to ensure that they are able to get the best performance and value from their vehicles.
Kevin Fouché, Department Executive: Product Planning and Programme Management at ISUZU Motors South Africa, summed up the purpose of the challenge by stating, “From a broader perspective, the underlying message is that in our product range, we have something that caters to all customer needs. For the potential customer looking for a reliable, trusted vehicle and easy on the pocket including overall comfort, we have D-MAX options available.”
