Isuzu Wizard

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Isuzu MU
Wizard
Production period: 1989-2004
Class : SUV
Body versions : Station wagon
Successor: Isuzu Ascender (North America)
Isuzu MU-7 (Asia)

The Isuzu MU / Wizard was an SUV that Isuzu produced between 1989 and 2004. The 3-door Isuzu MU appeared in 1989 and the 5-door Isuzu Wizard based on it in 1990. Isuzu sold the models worldwide under various names outside of their home market. The vehicle was also produced under different names by General Motors , which was involved in Isuzu .

Designations

Isuzu MU / Wizard I 1989-1998

I.
Isuzu MU I

Isuzu MU I

Production period: 1989-1998
Body versions : Station wagon
Engines:
Otto engines : 2.3–3.2 liters
(76–130 kW)
Diesel engines :
2.5–3.1 liters
(66–? KW)
Length: 4207-4671 mm
Width: 1780 mm
Height: 1698 mm
Wheelbase : 2329-2761 mm
Empty weight : 1580-1869 kg
Isuzu Wizard I

The 3-door Isuzu MU debuted in Japan in 1989. It was based on the Isuzu Faster TF pickup . An SUV-like vehicle had already been developed from its predecessor, the Isuzu Faster Rodeo (Isuzu P'up Rodeo in North America), which was a pickup with a GRP structure and all-wheel drive . In order to better serve this segment, a closed sporty vehicle with all-wheel drive has now been developed. The result was the Isuzu MU with 4 seats. Since the decision to develop a larger model was made late, the 5-door Isuzu Wizard with 5 seats, based on a longer wheelbase, did not appear until 1990. With the Isuzu Faster, both models shared most of the internal components, including engines and transmissions, as well as the front doors . Like the pickup, the two models were optionally available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Isuzu MU I was also marketed in Japan from 1993 to 1998 with identical technology by Honda as the Honda Jazz.

North America 1989-1998

In the second quarter of 1989, the 3-door Isuzu MU began selling as the Isuzu Amigo. A 2.3-liter gasoline engine with 76 kW (102 hp) and rear-wheel drive was the basic equipment. A 2.6-liter petrol engine with 89 kW (119 hp) was used for all-wheel drive. First, the engine power was transmitted by means of a 5-speed manual transmission. The standard equipment included air conditioning .

Isuzu introduced the 5-door Isuzu Wizard as the Isuzu Rodeo in 1990 . It was available with a 2.6-liter or a 3.1-liter V6 gasoline engine from General Motors with the same output but more torque. A 4- speed automatic transmission transmitted the power of the V6.

Depending on the version, both models had manual or automatic freewheel hubs in the all-wheel drive version 4WD. An anti-lock braking system was also installed as standard. Both models were built at Subaru-Isuzu Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana .

In 1992, the 2.3-liter petrol engine was discontinued and the 4- speed automatic transmission was also available for the rear-wheel drive variants with 2.6-liter engines on all models. For the 1993 model year, the GM V6 was replaced by a 3.2-liter Isuzu V6 petrol engine with 130 kW (174 hp). In 1993 the suspension system of the Rodeo was revised and trimmed for more comfort. A 2.4-liter gasoline engine from Holden with 92 kW (125 PS) completed the engine range. In addition, there was now a third brake light and the center console was refined. In 1994 electric mirrors and power steering were added to the basic equipment. From the middle of the year the amigo became a rodeo sport. In 1995 there was a new dashboard and driver and passenger airbags . For the 1996 model year, the output of the V6 was increased to 145 kW (194 hp).

North America 1993-1998

The Wizard was offered by Honda in North America as the Honda Passport. It was available with the 2.6-liter and 3.2-liter V6 engine, optionally as a 4WD.

Europe and Australia 1991–1998

Both models as Holden / Vauxhall / Opel Frontera .

Thailand 1993-1996

The wizard was offered here as an Isuzu cameo. Here it had a 2.5-liter diesel engine with direct injection and 66 kW (90 hp). It was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. It was built at the Isuzu plant in Rayong .

Isuzu MU / Wizard II 1998-2004

II
Isuzu Wizard 001.JPG
Production period: 1998-2004
Body versions : Station wagon
Engines:
Otto engines : 2.2–3.5 liters
(96–184 kW)
Diesel engines :
2.2 liters
(85–88 kW)
Length: 4326-4508 mm
Width: 1788 mm
Height: 1704-1758 mm
Wheelbase : 2462-2702 mm
Empty weight : 1735-1872 kg

The second generation was presented for the first time at the 32nd Tokyo Motor Show in 1997. In May 1998 the sales of the MU / Wizard II began on the home market. The MU was also available again as the Honda Jazz. The models were completely revised and now had their own chassis independent of the pickup fastener. More than 100 kg of vehicle weight was saved and the spare wheel was attached under the floor. There was now only a 3.2 liter V6 petrol engine with an output of 215 hp and a 3.0 l common rail injection diesel engine with an output of 145 hp. Naturally, this resulted in improved fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. The driver and front passenger airbags were standard, as were side impact protection and an anti-lock braking system. In 2002 production and sales in Japan ended without a successor model. The exports to the remaining non-locally produced models were now from the factory in the United States until 2004.

North America 1998-2004

In 1998, the second generation made its debut in North America and continued to be built in Lafayette, Indiana. The Rodeo Sport was now available with a fabric top. In addition to the difference in wheelbase, the way in which the spare wheel was attached to the trunk lid and the fender flares were different from those of the 5-door Rodeo. The second series now also offered space for up to five people. A 2.2-liter GM petrol engine with 97 kW (130 hp) was used as the standard drive. There was also the option of the 3.2-liter V6 from the Wizard, but this only had an output of 153 kW (205 hp). The Rodeo Sport was produced until 2003.

For the 5-door Rodeo there were now electrically adjustable shock absorbers that were not available in the Passport built for Honda. One equipment variant of the Rodeo was the Ironman package. The background to this was Isuzu's sponsorship of the Ironman triathlon competition. The package included white or black paint on the lower body panels, crossbars for the roof rack and special graphics and stickers. A cruise control was now standard equipment in the V6 engine.

  • 2001: To celebrate Isuzu's 85th anniversary, there was a special model called the Anniversary Edition and the Rodeo also received a new grille.
  • 2002: Last sales year for the Rodeo in Canada , which was replaced here by the Saturn Vue as a result of the Isuzu withdrawal from Canada (Isuzu dealers in Canada also sold Saturn and Saab ).
  • 2004: The Rodeo was now also available with a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with direct injection and 190 kW (250 hp). From the middle of the year there was a tire air pressure sensor.

At the end of 2004 production was stopped and the Isuzu Ascender became the successor model.

North America 1998-2002

The Wizard II was again offered as the Honda Passport, but it only had the 3.2-liter V6 engine with automatic transmission. In 2002 he was replaced by the Honda driver .

Asia / Thailand 1999–2004

In 1999, Isuzu reintroduced the Wizard here, but gave it a new name: Isuzu Vega, as it was now positioned higher in price. He now always had all-wheel drive and xenon headlights and the spare wheel on the back door. The engine used was the new 3.0 l common rail injection diesel engine with 88 kW / 120 PS, 5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed automatic transmission. In 2005 the Isuzu MU-7 replaced the model here and in many other Asian markets .

Europe and Oceania 1998-2004

Again as Holden / Vauxhall / Opel Frontera, successor was the Vauxhall / Opel Antara .

Egypt 1998-2005

From 1998 the Wizard II was produced in the Egyptian GM plant as Chevrolet Frontera and Isuzu Rodeo for some local markets.

See also

Web links

Commons : Isuzu Wizard  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Isuzu Rodeo  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files
Commons : Isuzu Amigo  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Honda Passport  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files