Isuzu D-Max and MU-X 1.9s dead, 2.2L replacement inbound

The 1.9-litre Isuzu D-Max and MU-X variants have less than six months to live as Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) plots the local introduction of the new 2.2-litre ‘MaxForce’ engine and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Originally tipped to be a downsized – read more NVES-friendly – replacement for the beloved 3.0-litre ‘4JJ3-TCX’ engine powering most current-generation D-Maxs and MU-Xs, it now seems we had the situation back-to-front, with the new donk set to succeed the entry-level 1.9-litre mill as soon as October.

IUA is yet to confirm as such publicly, however a dealer bulletin seen by carsales has now essentially done that for it.

According to the document, the new powertrain’s pending introduction is a direct response to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard seeing as the 2.2-litre engine is both more powerful and efficient than the 1.9, especially when paired with the matching eight-speed automatic transmission.

Already on sale in Thailand, the ‘RZ4F’ mill outputs 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque – up from the ‘RZ4E’ 1.9’s 110kW/350Nm – while using 10 per cent less fuel, pointing to combined fuel consumptions of 6.2L/100km for the D-Max and 6.7L/100km for the MU-X going by each models’ locally advertised figures.

The new engine supposedly shares the same basic architecture as the 1.9 but features a new head, block, pistons, con-rods, crankshaft, injection system and variable geometry turbo, not to mention an improved cooling system and “ultra-low friction” cylinders.

The new transmission meantime provides a wider range of ratios while providing smaller jumps, meaning the engine can stay in its sweet spot more often and thereby maximise both performance and efficiency.

That said, carsales understands it isn’t compatible with the existing 4JJ3-TCX powerplant which now looks set to soldier on indefinitely until it’s eventually strangled by the ever-tightening NVES and/or Euro emission regulations, pending any form of electrification.

To that end, the 1.9-litre engine is still available in Thailand on a select pair of 4x2 D-Max variants, albeit as the centre piece of a 48V mild hybrid system not anticipated to make it to Australian shores.

When asked directly about its plans for the MaxForce powertrain, an IUA spokesperson said they were “currently unable to comment on specifics relating to future model plans” and that the brand would “continue to monitor Australian consumer needs for product updates”, irrespective of what’s happening in the Thai market.

“We have no further information to share at this point in time,” they said.

More details of the new powertrain will come to light over the coming months, whether it be via IUA or the government’s ADR approval databases.

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