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Isuzu Future Models

425 messages,  Last post on Apr 10, 2009 at 10:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Isuzu Ascender, SUV

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#1 of 425 2002 Axiom by gpm5 Jan 04, 2001 (2:11 pm)
http://www.isuzuaxiom.com/   Its squashed down look sort of reminds me of the Volvo 4WD wagon.
#2 of 425 Impressions by bluedevils Jan 04, 2001 (3:16 pm)
gpm5, thanks for the link. I spent about 10 minutes browsing the site.   My bottom line: This vehicle seems to be a Trooper in tall wagon clothing. To me, that's a good thing. We'll see whether other consumers agree (i.e. how well it sells).   I'm going to the Detroit auto show media night next Thursday and the black tie charity event next Friday, so I'll let you know what I think of it after having a closer look.   Some thoughts:   * The vehicle seems to borrow much of its mechanicals from the Trooper: 3.5L V6, although it's tweaked for 230hp in the Axiom, 4-speed auto trans, TOD 4WD system, frame, etc.   * I can't think of any other crossover/tall wagon/small SUVs that are really a truck at heart. Vehicles like BMW X5, Lexus RX300, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, etc. are all car-based and don't have the ability to do some of the things that it appears this vehicle can do (e.g. tow 4500 pounds, go off-roading, etc.). I wonder if this will turn out to be a competitive advantage or disadvantage for Isuzu.   * It's not quite as short as it looks. 67" is as tall as the current Explorer, and 5" taller than the Subaru Legacy Outback wagon.   * It will probably be pretty quick. It's 300-600 pounds lighter than the Trooper, with a slightly tweaked version of the same 3.5L motor.   * It seems to be about the same size as the Rodeo on the inside. With a bigger more powerful engine and a more flexible 4WD system, won't the Axiom horn in on the Rodeo's market share?   * 85 cubic feet of cargo room with rear seat folded is quite competitive in the midsize/compact SUV class (Explorer, 4Runner, Blazer, Pathfinder, etc.). The Trooper is at 90 cubic feet, and I don't think the others in the class are any higher than 85.   * I wonder how well-built the vehicle will be. It sounded like the Axiom will be built at the same plant as Rodeo. I guess we'll find out what makes the Trooper so well put-together: the actual parts it's made with (roughly same as Axiom) or the fact it's assembled in Japan (different).   * I think I like the looks but can't tell for sure from a few pictures.
#3 of 425 Exterior by bluedevils Jan 04, 2001 (3:31 pm)
I know I just posted, but I've got a couple more thoughts.   Axiom's exterior is reminiscent of the Volvo Cross Country wagons. Also reminds me a bit of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, with the tall short glass along the sides and the no-sides-parallel side cargo glass.   I didn't see on the site an on-sale date?
#4 of 425 re: Axiom by paisan Jan 04, 2001 (3:31 pm)
Yep it gets a 230hp 3.5 due to the computer upgrade on the ECU, so next year the Trooper will get at least that! The Axiom, also is squarely between the Trooper and the Rodeo...   No power folding mirrors, heated optional No heated seats. Only a 4 way power drivers seat No skylight. No outside Tire...   I personally don't like the liftgate and spare tire location, but it has 3 rows of seats.   I just hope they beef up the Trooper into the Land Crusier class in it's next itteration.   -mike
#5 of 425 good overview by gpm5 Jan 04, 2001 (3:32 pm)
It may well be that people will love it and take it on as a new offroad vehicle and onroad SUV. Its hard to tell from the pictures. Good points on the 230 horses and the weight.
#6 of 425 for the future by gpm5 Jan 04, 2001 (3:35 pm)
I'm contemplating taking on a Suburban or something comparable as a replacement for our minivan at some stage--~2 yrs down the road. I wonder if the next generation trooper will have this size?
#7 of 425 next-Generation Trooper by bluedevils Jan 04, 2001 (3:47 pm)
My guess is it will move uptown, in both size and price. Trooper, Axiom, and Rodeo are all pretty close in size and capabilities, and probably price. Isuzu will likely try to differentiate the three. Making Trooper larger, more luxurious, and more powerful is a logical step. I don't know how they can distinguish the Rodeo from the Axiom.   The only thing is, will the Trooper finally have a V8? If it gets any bigger (which probably means heavier too), it will almost be a MUST. Where will it come from? I can't see Isuzu designing and building a V8 from scratch. The economies of scale just wouldn't be there-- too much development cost and not enough units to put the engine into. Borrowing one of the GM engines seems a likely option. Their new line of V8s seem pretty powerful, as does the 270hp 4.2L inline 6 that's coming out on the Bravada and its siblings this year. I wonder about reliability, though.
#8 of 425 Axiom features by bluedevils Jan 04, 2001 (3:54 pm)
Paisan, you've definitely been studying that Axiom web site to pick up on some of those subtle differences!   It does sound like Isuzu tried to make some improvements in features/creature comforts beyond what the Trooper offers. My wife's 98 Mitsu Galant has Homelink, and it's great (we only use it as a garage door opener). From the small interor picture, it looks like the Axiom interior is different from the Trooper's.   paisan, where did you see that Axiom will have a 3rd row seat? 182.6" length and 106.4" wheelbase are slightly smaller than Trooper, so it doesn't seem like there would be a whole lot of room for a 3rd row seat unless Isuzu made some design/engineering improvements in the interior.   The specs do not indicate a manual transmission. A manual trans-equipped Axiom would be a true sportwagon. I wonder if Isuzu will ever offer TOD or a similar system with manual transmission. I guess I'm still glad they offer a manual trans, period.   It appears that a 2WD model will be offered.
#9 of 425 Isuzu V8 engines by gpm5 Jan 04, 2001 (4:05 pm)
They use this V8 in their commercial trucks. Anybody know, is this a GM engine?    V8 SFI Gasoline  5.7 L (350.0 CID)  250 HP 4,200 RPM
#10 of 425 GM vs Isuzu? by sbcooke Jan 04, 2001 (7:32 pm)
The new 300HP GM Diesel motor for the Chevy pickup's is an Isuzu motor.   Also in the Edmunds Future Telling section there are several future GM models, the pictures are dark but they look similar to those of the Axiom.

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