With over 7,100 islands, the Philippines has no shortage of breathtaking sights to offer visitors and local tourists alike. The more than 60,000 Isuzu Crosswind units on Philippine roads, meanwhile, are rolling testaments to the multipurpose vehicle’s enduring popularity and usefulness.

So fittingly, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) staged a road trip to one of the country’s premier destinations—the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan—in introducing the 2012 Isuzu Crosswind Special Edition. In the event dubbed “It’s more fun with the Isuzu Crosswind in Palawan” that was held from April 18-20, 2012, IPC reinforced the proven strengths and exciting new features of the latest Crosswind in a way that showcased some of the Philippines’ unique scenic attractions, and allowed access to no less than Palawan’s underground river that was newly included as among the world’s Seven Wonders of Nature.

“By taking the 2012 Isuzu Crosswind Special Edition on an exciting road trip across a truly special place like Palawan, we are able to show not only the best traits of the vehicle, which make it perfect for journeys, but also promote the wonderful tourist spots in the country,” said IPC President Ryoji Yamazaki. “That the Crosswind and Palawan’s natural beauty complement one another only makes the experience more fun.”

In the event, IPC shipped over to Palawan five units of the 2012 Crosswind Special Edition via 2GO Freight, which was the official event shipping line that afterwards also brought the vehicles back to Manila. This made it possible for the province’s various destinations to serve as a fun venue in which the latest Crosswind demonstrated its tested capabilities and new features.

The 2012 Crosswind Special Edition model, which adds to the Crosswind variants, is more tough and youthful looking with the installation of numerous black anodized trim. New to the model are a fixed, shark fin antenna that doesn’t need to be pulled out from its housing or pushed back in when the vehicle passes through low spaces; a one-piece black plastic rear wiper; and black anodized sharp design rear spoiler that’s aerodynamic and houses a high-mount third brake lamp with a “hidden effect.” Combined with the new black with silver accent two-tone sporty spare tire cover, the various new features promote the “Sporty Black” theme of the vehicle. Adding to these are black anodized finish sleek design roof rails that showed their usefulness in the Puerto Princesa road trip by securing luggage and other outdoor gear. Completing the stylish looks of the 2012 Crosswind Special Edition are two new six-spoke alloy wheel designs that give the vehicle a bolder presence.

Meanwhile, making the trips to Puerto Princesa’s Crocodile Farm, the Iwahig Penal Colony, Butterfly Garden and Baker’s Hill more pleasurable for passengers of the 2012 Crosswind Special Edition, with the casual apparel from Reebok Philippines, were the vehicle’s new choices of multimedia entertainment systems that, depending on the unit, featured an AM/FM tuner, CD and MP3 player, auxiliary input jack for portable digital music players, thumb drive, video player and reverse camera. The model’s other interior features like power windows, door locks and mirrors, powerful air-conditioner with rear vents, comfortable seating with folding rear seats and various storage pockets and lighting, ensured more fun for passengers during the road trip.

Providing the confidence to get them to those places, and to the Mitra Farm and the Sheridan Resort and Spa, was the Crosswind’s tried-and-tested 85 PS, 18.9 kg-m Isuzu 4JA1-L turbo Direct Injection Euro 2 diesel engine that, fueled by Caltex Diesel with Techron D, demonstrated its power, reliability and fuel efficiency on the winding roads of Puerto Princesa. The Crosswind’s independent double wishbone with torsion bar springs plus stabilizer bar front suspension and rear Flex Ride MOVE suspension guaranteed control and comfort over the scenic routes. 

These are some of the traits that have cemented the Crosswind’s stellar reputation, which help in the model to retain its monetary value even after several years of ownership. This excellent resale value is supplemented by the model’s low maintenance and running costs. While other brands need around P15,000 worth of maintenance for every 20,000 kilometers that the vehicle has traveled, in the Crosswind the cost is only P10,000.

The Crosswind’s legendary fuel efficiency also adds to the vehicle’s appeal. In these days of soaring fuel prices, the Crosswind boasts of costing as low as P2.2 per kilometer traveled, with a fuel efficiency rating of up to 21.54 kilometers per liter, as shown in the 2010 Isuzu Challenge result.

“Without a doubt, the Isuzu Crosswind’s unmatched resale value, low maintenance cost and excellent fuel economy all make the model a truly wise investment,” Yamazaki said. “Around 60,000 Crosswinds sold since 2001 are proof of this. We at Isuzu will also ensure that the Crosswind continue to be appealing by constantly updating the model with new features to meet the needs of Filipinos when it comes to their multipurpose vehicles, may these be for family or business use. That way, they can be sure that they can Drive with Confidence.”

IPC prices the 2012 Crosswind Special Edition models at P750,000 for the XS; P794,000 for the XL; P883,000 for the XT; P1,042,000 for the XUV MT; P1,102,000 for the XUV AT; P1,160,000 for the Sportivo MT; and P1,225,000 for the Sportivo AT.