LIMBANG: The real acid test for our Isuzu D Max 2.5D Four-Wheel Drive vehicle also known as BAT mobile finally came today when we decided to visit the award-winning SK Ulu Lubai, some 50km from Limbang town.
CHALLENGING TASK AHEAD, EVEN FOR BAT: Some of the team members discussing with Peter Yong (right) the possibility of crossing the 100-metre knee-deep mud.
It provided the best setting for the vehicle to go through a grueling test of rugged terrain coupled with very muddy road.
Setting out on our journey as soon as we finished breakfast, we hopped into our BAT mobile and followed Peter Yong on the punishing journey to the school. He also managed to get Bujang (one of his workers) to show us the way.
The drive from Limbang town to Kpg Makasing about 40km away was relatively smooth, but punctuated with potholes caused by heavy vehicles and mother nature. We took a right turn unto a gravel road flanked by a tropical jungle, which would take us to the Ng Merit Health Clinic and then on to Ulu Labai itself. However, Bujang advised us to stop at the clinic to inquire about the road conditions before attempting to journey further.
The stretch of road to Ng Merit Health Clinic, about 10 km away, was undulating, bumpy but somehow manageable as it was graveled and rather well maintained.
Upon reaching Ng Merit health clinic, we were told that the next 9km of logging road would be slippery, as it had been raining heavily for the past two days.
Nevertheless, we decided to push on. We hit a major obstacle a few kilometres down the trail upon a seemingly diabolical stretch of furrowed mud looking more like a cross between a paddy field and a vegetable patch gone awry. We alighted from our vehicles to survey the situation as we were unsure whether our vehicles could cross the knee-deep 100m stretch of muddy, waterlogged road.
After careful consideration, Yong shared his pessimism that the stretch was too deep. Based on the troughs in the mud made by earlier vehicles, the BAT mobile might be too low and faced the very real threat of getting stuck in the treacherous mud.
However, I decided to give it a try as my gut feeling told me that I would be able to overcome the dreaded obstacle that was about 100 metres long.
As I took over the wheel, the engine roared eagerly in response as I engaged the low gear. Like a hot knife slicing through butter, the D Max cut easily through the mud, skimming through with ease like a mudskipper over mudflats.
With my heart in my mouth, I was praying that the vehicle would not get stuck, as it would be a Herculean task to pull it out of the mud.
The D Max 2.5D finally had the opportunity to show its true colour and distinguished pedigree as it managed to cross the sea of mud with ease and elegance.
The team praised the vehicle for its toughness and easy handling especially with its smooth gear transmission.
After the trip, we gave the BAT mobile a thorough wash-down in at Limbang Town.
Isuzu has been kind enough to lend us the vehicle and we were told by Wan Zaqi Zacary, Product Malaysia Isuzu Malaysia, that we should test the vehicle to its limit as it has been proven to be a tough machine.
With a strong and powerful pick up and economical fuel consumption, there is no doubt that the latest Isuzu D Max 2.5D model is considered the best in its class.