All Cars » Isuzu http://www.allcarsvideo.com Automobile Videos Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Isuzu Ascender http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-ascender/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-ascender/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=413 The Isuzu Ascender manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu Ascender is a mid-size/full-size SUV from Isuzu. Introduced for 2003, the 7-passenger Ascender is a re-badged GMC Envoy. It replaced the Japanese built mid-size Isuzu Trooper. A shorter 5-passenger model was made available for the 2005 model year as a replacement for the Rodeo and the Axiom. A Displacement on Demand V8 was used for 2005. Isuzu once offered a wide line of trucks, cars and SUVs but the Ascender was Isuzu’s last and only passenger vehicle until the introduction of the also slow-selling Isuzu i-Series pickup trucks, also built by GM in North America. The Ascender was never sold in Canada as Isuzu has announced its withdrawal there at the time.

The Ascender is the only one of the six mid-size SUVs that is not actually a GM branded product (Isuzu was partially owned by GM until spring 2006). The 7-passenger Ascender was dropped after the 2006 model year, and the V8 is no longer offered. Reviews warn of a thin dealer network for warranty repairs, and the Kelley Blue Book projects a relatively low resale value similar to the Trailblazer. However, Isuzu offers a seven-year/75,000-mile powertrain warranty, and substantial factory incentives.

The Ascender ended production on June 6, 2008 as part of Isuzu’s withdrawal from the United States market.[1] Based on the related Chevrolet TrailBlazer replaced by the Traverse, the Traverse is also considered as the Ascender’s successor.

Engines:

]]> http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-ascender/feed/ 0 Isuzu Axiom http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-axiom/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-axiom/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=414 The Isuzu Axiom manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu Axiom was an SUV designed in Japan using a “knife blade” theme for its car-like styling. Built in Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. at the joint Subaru-Isuzu plant on the Rodeo platform. It jointly replaced the Trooper, but was itself replaced by the Isuzu Ascender for the 2005 model year. The name “Axiom” was determined by a naming contest held by Isuzu, and was won by Dr. Hakan Urey from Redmond, Washington, who suggested the name and won his own Axiom in 2001. The Axiom is available with a torque on demand four-wheel drive system, and a direct-injection engine was added in 2004, boosting power from 230 to 250 hp (172 to 186 kW).[1] The Axiom’s radical styling was too extreme for some although a surprising number of its design elements later found their way into SUVs from other manufacturers. Unfortunately, under the Axiom’s cutting-edge body was the largely unchanged Rodeo chassis, which was judged to be crude by critics. The stylish body was also available only as a luxury entry which limited the sales market. The Axiom was discontinued in July 2004 after only three years of production, and the Lafayette plant became exclusively home to build just Subarus. It was retooled to build the Subaru B9 Tribeca. With the retirement of the Rodeo and Axiom, Isuzu, which once sold a complete line of cars, trucks and SUVs, no longer offered any Japanese-built consumer vehicles in the United States. From 2006-2009, the lineup consisted only of rebadged General Motors vehicles: a GMC Canyon pickup and GMC Envoy SUV. Isuzu began its withdrawal from North American markets, with Canada after the 2002 model year, followed by the United States after the 2009 model year. Also, the Axiom was never sold in Canada.

This vehicle was featured in the Spy Kids movies.

]]> http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-axiom/feed/ 0 Isuzu Bighorn http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-bighorn/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-bighorn/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=415 The Isuzu Bighorn manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu Trooper is a mid-size SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Isuzu between 1981 and 2002. It was exported worldwide as the Isuzu Bighorn, Subaru Bighorn, Isuzu Trooper, Honda Horizon, Acura SLX, Chevrolet Trooper, Opel/Vauxhall Monterey, Holden Jackaroo and Holden Monterey. It was a huge seller in the sport utility vehicle segment.

There were two generations of the Trooper produced – the first spanning 1981 through 1991, and the second from 1992 through 2002 when Isuzu ceased export of the model. It began its production run being somewhat primitive and underpowered, offered only with a 4 cylinder motor, standard 5 speed manual transmission, and part-time four-wheel drive system. As the first generation progressed, it became more luxurious, and offered more amenities, including a V6 engine. The second generation was more refined, and was available with two-wheel drive.

The Opel Monterey was a Japanese-built four-wheel drive Sports Utility Vehicle produced by General Motors. It was visually identical to the Isuzu trooper, but was only sold in Europe. Production began in 1994, with versions sold on Mainland Europe wearing Opel badges, and the British version being sold as a Vauxhall. Sales in Britain were disappointing, and the Vauxhall version of the car was withdrawn from sale at the end of 1998, though the Opel version continued to sell on the continent until 2002.

The first generation Trooper was available as a 2 or 4 door, with a solid rear axle and the front featuring independent suspension. Early engines included 2.0 L 1.9 L and a 2.2 L diesel which many consider underpowered for the vehicle’s weight—about 3,700 lb (1,678.3 kg) empty. The four-wheel drive system required the driver to engage the front axle by operating a three-position shifter adjacent to the regular transmission shifter. Both Aisin manual-locking and Isuzu’s own auto-locking hubs were available. In 1986, Isuzu introduced a 2.3 L engine, which, though only 112 hp (102 kW), was a vast improvement over the previous engines. In 1987 Isuzu introduced its first fuel-injected engine,(v tech injection) a 2.6 L (4ZE1), for the Trooper. Some U.S. models were equipped with a GM 2.8 L V6 engine (same powerplant found in the Chevrolet S10 pickup. Manual transmission equipped models had a gear driven transfer case with a 2.28:1 low range ratio, models equipped with the 2.6L four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission had a 2.66:1 low range transfer case. As foreign SUVs gained market share, tariffs were introduced, and Isuzu for a time imported a model known as the Trooper II. In a bit of a creative loophole jumping, Isuzu avoided the tariffs by having the dealers install the rear seats. Later first-generation models included an option for a four-speed automatic transmission, a V6 engine sourced from General Motors (their 2.8 L pushrod V6), and a combination of 31″x10.5″ tires with 4.77:1 differential gears. Standard differential gearing for all 1981-1991 Isuzu Trooper is 4.555:1. Models from 1988-1991 are equipped with Isuzu 10-bolt 17-spline front IFS differentials and Isuzu 12-bolt live rear axles with 4-wheel disc brakes. Also new for 1987 were new rectangular headlights, a departure from the earlier round sealed-beam type lights. A clutch-type limited slip rear differential was available as an option, indicated by the code “G80″ on the vehicle’s option plate under the hood. Overseas model engines not released in the United States included the Isuzu 4JB1 and 4JB1-T engines, (2.8 L diesel inline four-cylinder engines, the “-T” indicating a turbocharged version).

In 1989 only, a short wheelbase (90″) Isuzu Trooper was imported to the US market as the Trooper. All of these short wheelbase Troopers were equipped with 2.6L fuel injected 4cyl engines, 4.77:1 differential gears and 31″x10.5 tires mounted on 15″x7″ aluminium alloy “snowflake” pattern wheels. Automatic and manual transmissions were offered.

Further history of the first generation of Isuzu Trooper started in Central America, where smaller versions were made with removable roofs and a higher wheel clearance. Powertrain options included the Isuzu 2.9 L turbo diesel, a medium-RPM, slightly modified engine that was also used for portable freezer boxes, generators and lifeboats.[citation needed]

]]> http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-bighorn/feed/ 0 Isuzu Hombre http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-hombre/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-hombre/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=416 The Isuzu Hombre manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu Hombre was Isuzu’s pickup introduced in 1996 as a rebadged Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma. It replaced the Indiana-built Isuzu Pick Up. The most important difference between the two is in equipment — while the S-10/Sonoma boasted an extensive array of optional equipment, the Hombre was offered in a small model range with a modest selection of equipment packages. The Spacecab extended cab, V6 engine and four-wheel drive was added from 1997 to 1998. All three vehicles were produced at General Motors’ Shreveport, Louisiana plant.

Hombres were equipped with the Chevrolet S-series 15 x 7 steel rims (with 8 directional vents) – the Hombre rims were painted black (the S10, Sonoma, and Blazer/Jimmy rims were painted silver) since a majority were equipped with hubcaps with the Isuzu logo. Hombres were also available with the S-10′s aluminium rims with Isuzu Center caps. The Hombre Differs from its GM siblings mostly in the Front Sheetmetal, with different lights, grille, Front Bumper and front fenders, which are more flared out. The rear Quarter panels are also different, as they have a slight flare over the wheel well to match the front fenders. – which was shared with the Brazilian-built Chevrolet S10 pickup.

Slow sales caused Isuzu to drop the Hombre after 2000. Isuzu would bail out of the pickup truck business until releasing the i-Series. The Hombre is considered one of the rarest pickups in North America as of 2006.[citation needed]

]]> http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-hombre/feed/ 0 Isuzu MU Wizard http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-mu-wizard/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-mu-wizard/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=417 The Isuzu MU Wizard manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu MU Wizard was a compact SUV made by Japan-based manufacturer Isuzu. The MU Wizard was introduced in 1990 as a 1991 model, and it ceased production in 2004. Isuzu manufactured several variations to the Wizard for sale in other countries. The United States has had two versions: the Isuzu Rodeo and (until 2002) the rebadged Honda Passport. Opel/Vauxhall and Holden each also sold rebadged versions of the vehicle. It was also sold as the Chevrolet Frontera in Egypt and the Isuzu Frontier in South America

A version of the Wizard called the Isuzu Rodeo was manufactured at Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc. (now, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.) in Lafayette, Indiana. Isuzu was rumored to prefer the “ro-DEE-o” pronunciation over “ro-DAY-o”. The vehicle was still considered an import, as 75 percent of its parts were made overseas.[1]

The Rodeo made its debut in 1991. The mid-size SUV was available with either a 2.6 L 4-cylinder engine or a 120 hp (90 kW), 3.1 L V6 made by General Motors. An automatic transmission was available for the latter.

The vehicle was available with four-wheel drive with manually locking hubs on the S version and automatically locking hubs on the XS and top-of-the-line LS. Rear anti-lock brakes were standard feature, but not an option for all four wheels.

]]> http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-mu-wizard/feed/ 0 Isuzu Oasis http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-oasis/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-oasis/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=418 The Isuzu Oasis manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu Oasis is a minivan produced as result of an agreement between Isuzu and Honda from 1996 to 1999. It was the only minivan produced by the company.

Under the agreement, Honda would purchase Isuzu Rodeo and Isuzu Trooper vehicles to be sold as the Honda Passport and Acura SLX, respectively, while Isuzu would purchase Honda Odyssey and Honda Civic vehicles to be sold as the Isuzu Oasis and Isuzu Gemini, respectively. Though the Oasis was essentially the same vehicle as the Odyssey with a lower sticker price and a better warranty, Honda’s more prominent brand recognition propelled the Odyssey to greater sales. The Oasis was sold from the 1996 model year to the 1999 model year in the United States. The Odyssey was redesigned for 1999, but Isuzu still sold the original body with minor changes all the way through 1999. Later Oasis models came with a 2.3L VTEC engine similar to the engine found in the sixth-generation Honda Accord.

]]> http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-oasis/feed/ 0 Isuzu VehiCROSS http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-vehicross/ http://www.allcarsvideo.com/isuzu/isuzu-vehicross/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:57 +0000 admin http://www.allcarsvideo.com/?p=419 The Isuzu VehiCROSS manufacture by Isuzu automobile company. Read more to view more detail and video reviews. Please feel free to comments and give rating to help others


The Isuzu VehiCROSS was a halo car for the SUV-specialist company Isuzu. Produced from 1997 (Japanese market 1997-1999) through 2001 (US market 1999-2001), it shared much of its components with the Trooper, including both its 3.2 L and 3.5 L V6 engine that produces 215 bhp (160 kW) at 5400 rpm and 230 lb·ft (312 N·m) at 3000 rpm of torque. The vehicle also featured the TOD (Torque on Demand) 4-wheel Drive system produced by BorgWarner. It is a small, sporty 2-door crossover vehicle with aggressive external styling, including short overhangs, an aggressive forward stance, titanium “teeth” in the grille, a black hood-insert, and black plastic cladding the entire lower half of the vehicle. The VehiCROSS came equipped with 16″ polished wheels in 1999 and 18″ chrome wheels during the remainder of production.

The VehiCROSS was highly regarded for its cross-terrain performance. It combines a computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system for on-road driving and a locked-differential low gear four-wheel-drive system for off-road driving. Its computer controlled “Torque on Demand” system, with 12 independent sensors detecting wheel spin and redirecting power to the wheels with the most traction, gives the VehiCROSS a high level of traction on wet and icy roads. It also has a high level of performance for its height. While possessing on-road nimbleness, its body-on-frame truck construction, suspension and 4WD gearing made it very capable off-road.

Sales were intentionally limited, with only 4,309 vehicles being produced between 1999 and 2001, and just 4,153 finding homes in the United States in three years of sales. As it stands, the vehicle has an obscure role in history; although, the vehicle appeared in the 2000 film Mission to Mars as a convertible fitted with futuristic engine sound effects.[1]

The VehiCROSS was originally unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 1993 Tokyo International Auto Show. Its ultimate Japanese production release in 1997 was notable in that the production vehicle arrived with very few design changes and in a very short time. This feat was accomplished through the use of inexpensive ceramic body-stamping dies and the reuse of readily-available Isuzu parts. The truck was intended to showcase Isuzu’s off-road technology, and is one of the few vehicles to ship with monotube shocks with external heat-expansion chambers; a technology normally reserved for off-road motorcycle racing.

Motor Trend featured the VehiCROSS on its May 1999 cover, and included it in its “Top 10 Sport Utilities” for Most Unique Styling.

Four Wheeler featured the VehiCROSS as the “First Runner Up” for Four Wheeler of the Year in 2000 behind the Tahoe Z71; when pitted against: Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, GMC Yukon, Nissan Xterra, Ford Excursion and Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The VehiCROSS scored highest of all 6 Mechanically, for Trail Performance and Highway Performance.

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