Isuzu’s low carbon 2.2-litre diesel engine here soon

DISMAL sales of its entry 1.9-litre turbo-diesel D-Max ute – amounting to less than 100 units YTD – coupled with a pressing need to comply with NVES CO2 provisions will see Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) launch a new, more efficient 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder code named RZ4F from as early as next month.

The larger capacity entry level engine mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission will be available across both D-Max ute and MU-X SUV ranges and is reputed to be at least 10 per cent more fuel efficient and is more powerful than the outgoing 1.9.

For the same NVES-related reasons, the new engine will likely also find a home under the bonnet of Mazda’s same-under-the-skin BT-50, again in entry level spec’.

Fans of the “big block” Isuzu 3.0-litre engine need not worry because the 4JJ3-TCX mill remains, and will do into the foreseeable future while Isuzu explores other powertrain options to meet tightening NVES.

These include mild hybrids through to fully electric powertrains in 4x2 and 4x4 configuration perhaps across both body styles but certainly the ute.

At the moment, without offsets, both Isuzu and Mazda face emissions penalties (fines) under the NVES examples of which can be seen affecting Ford’s Mustang and Nissan’s Patrol adding $5000 apiece to the bottom line on both vehicles.

The 2.2-litre engine is already available in Thailand where all three models: D-Max, MU-X and BT-50 are made, and is good for 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque – the latter between 1600rpm – 2400rpm representing a respectable hike on the 1.9’s 110kW/350Nm.

Thai fuel consumption figures suggest the new unit is capable of combined 6.2L/100km for the D-Max and 6.7L/100km for the MU-X reductions that will have a commensurate reduction in emissions compared with the 1.9.

We understand from Thai information that the design of new mill is similar to the outgoing 1.9 but pretty much everything is new - something of a contradiction in terms.

It has a new cylinder head and block, pistons, con-rods, crankshaft, injection system and VGT turbo, the latter possibly responsible for most of the efficiency gains.

The new 2.2 mill also scores a larger radiator and intercooler, better airflow through the engine compartment and low friction cylinder walls all of which would contribute to cleaner running.

Further benefiting engine efficiency optimisation is a carefully calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission (that doesn’t fit behind the 3.0-litre) with closer ratios and smaller engine speed steps compared with the six-speeder on the outgoing 1.9 (and the 3.0-litre).

The transmission engineers were aiming to more easily keep the engine spinning in its most efficient rev band to maximise performance and efficiency.

On paper, the new Isuzu 2.2 matches or exceeds direct competitor entry level engines with the advantage of having two more cogs in its transmission to better capture available output.