As we watched in horror, our so-called good mileage figure was shattered by journalists and owners alike.  For example, in our category, the formidable duo of Vernon B. Sarne (Rev Magazine) and Jeff Reyes managed to sip just 3.4 liters, translating to a figure of 26.01 kilometers per liter.  James Deakin and Tito Hermoso, both from C! Magazine, who were ill that day, managed to go through the distance eating up just 4.4 liters—and they had air conditioning on the entire time! 

Though we didn’t win the Isuzu Challenge, we did learn some lessons, especially in the area of doing an economy run using a diesel engine coupled with an automatic transmission.  For the motioncars team, who are more familiar with gasoline-powered vehicles, the vehicle Eco-Challenged proved to be a very tough adjustment process indeed.  With the help of activities such as these, Isuzu gave owners a chance to test the capabilities of their vehicles, and that in itself makes this entire event a winner. 

Editor’s note: the rest of the day was filled with other activities, which are best experienced rather than read about.  The Team Black (including the motioncars.com duo) tried their best, but unfortunately, were defeated in all the events except the Flag Capture, where a food-coloring-free Jason Ang saved the day.

2002 Isuzu Challenge Winners

Placing Driver /
Navigator
Fuel Used (liters) Kilometers per Liter
Category: Isuzu Fuego
1st Carlos de Guzman /
Romeo de Guzman
2.699 33.20
2nd Angelito Cruz /
Arnuel Cruz
3.418 26.14
3rd Ryan Gudani /
Paul Impernal
3.475 25.78
Category: Isuzu Trooper
1st Wilfredo de Luna /
Joel Papa
2.907 30.82
2nd Ina Bautista /
Tonichi Bautista
3.259 27.49
3rd Boogie Lastimoso /
DJ Sanchez
4.936 18.15
Category: Isuzu Crosswind M/T
1st Dino Directo /
Giby Yalung
2.456 36.48
2nd Aris Ilagan /
Lyle Parreno
2.952 30.35
3rd Eduardo Bulatao /
Ernesto Laureano
3.142 28.51
Category: Isuzu Crosswind A/T
1st Vernon Sarne /
Jeff Reyes
3.444 26.07
2nd Ray Domingo /
Virginia Domingo
3.584 25
3rd Jose Dizon /
Oscar Nuke
3.766 23.79
-- Ulysses Ang /
Jason Ang
4.531 19.44

Jason shows his disgust with Uly's fuel-efficiency performance behind the wheel. That's 25,000 pesos down the drain for these two.

The car that could have been. This two-tone blue and silver Crosswind XTO was motioncars.com's trusty vehicle during the Eco-Drive. of course, with the amount of bull bars, overfenders, stepboards and the like, it's no wonder fuel mileage went down.  Or more likely, it was our technique, too.

Take it from the masters: Vernon Sarne of Rev Magazine and Jeff Reyes of Philippine Star (2nd and 3rd from the left) flash their best smiles as they pose with Isuzu Philippines' Hiroshi Ishino (left) and Consumer Union of the Philippines Executive Director Angelo Ocampo (right).

HOW TO HAVE BETTER MILEAGE >>>