That Time Isuzu Bet Against Crossovers and Lost Everything

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/04/2016 at 13:46 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!1 Kinja'd!!! 16

Oh the Axiom. It had “this is the future” looks, but was a built on solid little trucklet u[the rodeo] and Isuzu was betting that this kind of ladder frame off-road capable fashion statement would continue to be the bread on its butter against a wave of car based crossovers...it was wrong.

it featured a highly reliable and potent (for its time) 230 hp 3.5 liter V6, and advanced electrically actuated clutch pack in the transfer case for automatic traction management (Borg Warner TOD) and aggressive and (some say attractive) styling. It was produced for 3 years before being axed and from then on out it was a steep downhill slide to irrelevance from the brand in the US.

After it was killed off, Isuzu never made its own product again, instead selling rebadged GM’s until the brand’s demise in 2009.

Oh Isuzu... so close.


DISCUSSION (16)


Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > HammerheadFistpunch
11/04/2016 at 13:49

Kinja'd!!!4

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! TheHondaBro > HammerheadFistpunch
11/04/2016 at 13:53

Kinja'd!!!0

Potent? My 3.0 V6 from around that time makes 240HP.


Kinja'd!!! TheHondaBro > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/04/2016 at 13:54

Kinja'd!!!2

Gib


Kinja'd!!! PS9 > HammerheadFistpunch
11/04/2016 at 13:56

Kinja'd!!!0

Isuzu’s real problem was being bundled with Pontiac at the dealership level. People who hated Pontiac weren’t going to go over there and cross-shop Isuzu’s offerings regardless of quality, so when Pontiac went away, Isuzu joined them.


Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheHondaBro
11/04/2016 at 13:58

Kinja'd!!!4

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! TheHondaBro > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/04/2016 at 14:05

Kinja'd!!!3

thx


Kinja'd!!! MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheHondaBro
11/04/2016 at 14:09

Kinja'd!!!0

:(

Mine only does 221


Kinja'd!!! Blondude > TheHondaBro
11/04/2016 at 14:17

Kinja'd!!!0

My 4.7 V8 makes 228 hp...


Kinja'd!!! and 100 more > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/04/2016 at 14:19

Kinja'd!!!0

Subtle change, but vast improvement!


Kinja'd!!! Nibbles > TheHondaBro
11/04/2016 at 14:21

Kinja'd!!!1

In 2004 they introduced the 3.5 GDI, the first affordable GDI engine. It boosted the hp/tq to 250/246 (from 230/230) and increased fuel economy from 16/20 to 18/23 - not bad for a two-ton-plus SUV.


Kinja'd!!! LongbowMkII > TheHondaBro
11/04/2016 at 14:22

Kinja'd!!!0

my 3.5 from 2003 made 240hp. its better than say a 3.5 making 190hp like GM...


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > TheHondaBro
11/04/2016 at 15:12

Kinja'd!!!2

well, it was only at 5600 rpm and its torque peak was at 3000 rpm. In terms of power density for a truck motor, it was good. I mean the new tacoma engine only bests its torque by 38 lbs-ft and at higher rpms and that’s with direct injection and wideband variable valve timing.


Kinja'd!!! Noodles > HammerheadFistpunch
11/05/2016 at 01:12

Kinja'd!!!0

I LOVED the interior. Absolutely loved it.  


Kinja'd!!! SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HammerheadFistpunch
11/06/2016 at 17:54

Kinja'd!!!1

Izuzu ain’t dead. They just don’t exist in North America. They still make medium & light trucks, utes and 4x4s and even a ladder framed 4x2 and 4x4 crossover based on their D-max ute...

Kinja'd!!!

...it’s quite good http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/review-isuzu-mu-x/


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
11/06/2016 at 18:05

Kinja'd!!!0

Of course the dmax and mu x are just gm products.


Kinja'd!!! SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HammerheadFistpunch
11/06/2016 at 20:57

Kinja'd!!!1

Not exactly. They were a co-development between Izuzu and GM and they shared only the chassis and primary body. Engines are completely different.

Regardless, Izuzu is still a thing.