Searching for Siquijor mystique with new D-Max

THE refreshed 2012 Isuzu D-Max SE before Siquijor’s 125-year old St. Isidore Labrador Church

Siquijor’s reputation for mysticism may not be the right match to the Isuzu D-Max’s pronounced brusque character.

Isuzu Philippines Corp., however, felt it was the right time for the motoring media to discover the island province located 35 kilometers southeast of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental while taking the latest 2012 D-Max Special Edition pickup truck for a spin.

“Siquijor is perhaps the best place to introduce the 2012 D-Max SE. Its 72-kilometer circumferential coastal road island through breathtaking views can be tackled in two hours. This same road system offers several steep and twisty turns that will put the power and versatility of this 144 horsepower diesel-powered D-Max pickup truck to test,” described IPC executive vice president Takashi Tomita.

Interestingly, the trip not only shook off long-thought prejudices about the Philippine’s third-smallest province (after Batanes and Camiguin) but also a number of misconceptions about IPC’s venerable pickup truck.

Yes, the 2012 D-Max SE is still powered by the same 3-liter common-rail turbo diesel engine. It still has a grunting torque that peaks at 294 Nm (at 1,400 rpm). It still is equipped with independent double wishbone (with torsion bar) suspensions in front and Flex Ride MOVE suspension system at the rear. It still comes in two transmission choices (a 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual) as well as two drivetrain varieties (rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive). Its dimensions remained unchanged: 4.9 m long, 1.8 m wide, 1.7 m high, a wheelbase 3 m long, and ground clearance of 22.5 cm.

And despite being a nine-years-old badge, so few of its more updated counterparts could match the D-Max’s standout looks and rugged endurance.

“No wonder we already sold more than 2,000 D-Maxes since its introduction in 2003. In fact of the 13,000 units we intend to sell by the end of this year, we expect that some 3,000 units would be D-Max pickups,” Tomita said, adding that a key in the D-Max’s popularity is that IPC has, through the years, continuously updated its pickup model with features that best address the vehicle needs of the Filipino market.

The handsome SE now comes with a new front chin skirt, Royal and Black finish alloy wheels, newly designed step tubes, illuminated silver scuff plates, a reverse camera that go with a reverse sensor, black-toned interior cabin (the leather vinyl seat covers, vinyl door trim insert and headliners are all in black). It is safe to say that the pickup will remain a formidable choice.

THE 2012 Isuzu D-Max SE’s official fuel is Caltex Diesel with Techron D. PHOTOS BY CHARLES E. BUBAN

The 2012 Isuzu D-Max SE gets points for its economical and torquey diesel engine save for its entertainment system, which for this year’s edition is now equipped with a 6.2-inch LCD touch-sensitive display that features iPod connectivity (iPod video compatible) and is already navigation-ready.

“The 2012 Isuzu D-Max SE is a proven badge. It is capable of being an excellent companion for business and family requirements as well as a versatile lifestyle vehicle for the weekend warriors. Not only is it reliable and durable but also a fuel-efficient workhorse with high resale value,” assured IPC senior vice president Arthur Balmadrid.

He assured that now that the supply chain has normalized, even a sudden influx of demand for D-Max could now be accommodated.

Available in LS 4×4, LS 4×2, Boondock 4×4, LX and LT variants, the 2012 D-Max SE now comes in Ebony Black, Glacial White, Titanium Silver, Rich Red and its latest color option, Satin Silver (for the LS models). The Boondock 4×4 also comes in Ebony Black, Rich Red and Satin Silver with a two-tone combination of Light Silver. The LX comes in Glacial White and Titanium Silver. Both manual LS 4×4 and Boondock 4×4 are priced P1.378 million; the automatic LS 4×4 at P1.438 million; the manual LS 4×2 at P1.148 million; the manual 4×2 LX at P993,000; and the manual 4×2 LT at P860,000.

Least visited places

“Like what we have found out here in Siquijor and nearby Apo Island (a 12-hectare volcanic island 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Oriental and an hour’s boat ride away from Siquijor), there’s so much to discover about the 2012 D-Max SE pickup and would be surprised at what it could offer them,” Balmadrid said.

Teaming up with Caltex Philippines, IPC said Caltex Diesel with Techron D proved a perfect fuel for its common rail turbo diesel engine, making it more efficient (the pickup has been recorded to achieve a 16.95 kilometers per liter efficiency) as well as responsive.

IPC’s “It’s More Fun with the 2012 Isuzu D-Max SE in Siquijor” event was also supported by 2GO (official shipping partner), Reebok and Home Depot.