Isuzu VehiCROSS
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| Manufacturer | Isuzu |
|---|---|
| Also called | Isuzu VX |
| Production | 1998-2001 |
| Class | Compact SUV |
| Body style(s) | 3-door SUV |
| Engine(s) | 3.2 L V6 (Japan) 3.5 L V6 (US) |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 91.8 in (2332 mm) |
| Length | 162.6 in (4130 mm) |
| Width | 70.5 in (1791 mm) |
| Height | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
| Related | Isuzu Trooper |
The Isuzu VehiCROSS is a halo car for the SUV-specialist company Isuzu. Produced from 1997 (Japanese market 1997-1999) through 2001 (US market 1999-2001), it shares 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; 218 PS) at 5400 rpm and 230 lb·ft (312 N·m) at 3000 rpm of torque. The vehicle also features 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 (US versions),a black hood-insert, and black plastic cladding over the entire lower half of the vehicle. The US VehiCROSS came equipped with 16" polished wheels in 1999 and 18" chrome wheels during the remainder of production.The Japanese version only ever having 16" alloys with chrome center caps.
The VehiCROSS is 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.The Japanese version having a 2WD option and the US only constant 4WD TOD,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 make it very capable off-road.
Sales were intentionally limited, with only 5958 vehicles being produced between 1997 and 2001, just 1805 being produced for the domestic Japanese market and the remaining 4,153 finding homes in the United States. 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], and also briefly in Babylon AD 2008 starring Vin Diesel.
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[edit] Manufacture and release
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.
Both a concept four-door version (VX-4) and a roadster (VX-O2) were shown at the 2000 Los Angeles International Auto Show, but neither reached production.
[edit] Design team
Led by Satomi Murayama, chief designer/manager at Isuzu's European office in Brussels, the design team was comprised of an international group: Simon Cox (Assistant Chief Designer best known for designing the Lotus Elan's interior), Joji Yanaka, Andrew Hill and Nick Robinson. The task was to build a "lightweight but tough, fun but environmentally friendly" SUV.
- Winner of the 1999 Russian Spirit of Time Award by the Russian Design Confederation (presented to Isuzu at the 1999 Russian International Motor Show).
[edit] In motorsport
- Class Winner 1998 Paris-Dakar Rally
- Class Winner 1999 Australian Safari Rally
- Winner "Most Unique [sic] Styling" Motor Trend 1999 Top 10 Sport/Utes
- Used by Austin Robot Technology as foundation for robotic VX in 2005-2007 DARPA Grand Challenge
[edit] Production details (US version only)
| Exterior | Interior | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astral Silver Metallic | Black/Red | 1021 | n/a | n/a | 1021 |
| Kaiser Silver Metallic | Black/Red | n/a | 57 | 101 | 158 |
| Kaiser Silver Metallic | Black/Gray | n/a | 135 | 251 | 386 |
| Victory White or Ironman | Black/Red | 420 | 96 | 86 | 602 |
| Ebony Black | Black/Red | 564 | 51 | 87 | 702 |
| Ebony Black | Black/Gray | n/a | 138 | 226 | 364 |
| Proton Yellow | Black/Gray | n/a | 111 | 368 | 479 |
| Dragon Green Mica | Black/Gray | n/a | 125 | 105 | 230 |
| Foxfire Red Mica | Black/Gray | n/a | 90 | 120 | 210 |
| Pearl White Metallic | Black/Red | n/a | n/a | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 2005 | 803 | 1345 | 4153 |
[edit] Production details (Japanese version only)
| Colour | Colour No: | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Blazed Peacock Mica | 702 | 6 |
| Brurujitan Mica | 709 | 3 |
| Liberty Blue Mica | 717 | 4 |
| Astral Silver | 718 | 974 |
| Arcadian Green Mica | 719 | 4 |
| Tryton Blue Mica | 725 | 3 |
| Steel Blue Mica | 709 | 3 |
| Raspberry Mica | 745 | 5 |
| Radian Red | 756 | 19 |
| Magenta Metallic | 762 | 17 |
| Sunburst Orange Mica | 766 | 28 |
| Brilliant Red Mica | 808 | 10 |
| Ebony Black | 826 | 232 |
| Pure White | 831 | 26 |
| Straight Violet Metallic | 834 | 22 |
| Damson Mica | 848 | 3 |
| Iron Grey Metallic | 849 | 33 |
| Empire Blue Mica | 858 | 96 |
| Forrest Green Mica | 863 | 95 |
| Lava Grey Metallic | 867 | 17 |
| Leadlock Mica | 872 | 125 |
| Cosmic Blue Mica | 873 | 5 |
| Cobalt Blue Mica | 874 | 5 |
| Unknown Mica | 885 | 2 |
| Golden Yellow Mica | 892 | 63 |
| Defect Turn | 52 | |
| Total | 1805 |
[edit] References
- ^ "Isuzu VehiCross in "Mission to Mars, 2000"". IMCDb.org. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_3430-Isuzu-VehiCross.html. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
| Isuzu road vehicle timeline, United States market, 1980s–2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||
| Subcompact car | I-Mark | I-Mark | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact car | Impulse | Impulse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stylus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact SUV | VehiCROSS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amigo | Amigo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size SUV | Rodeo | Rodeo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Axiom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trooper | Trooper | Trooper | Ascender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Oasis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | P'up | Pickup | Hombre | i-Series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
