Isuzu MU Wizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Isuzu MU / Wizard | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Isuzu Holden Vauxhall Opel |
| Also called | Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Frontera Isuzu Rodeo Honda Passport |
| Production | 1991–2004 |
| Assembly | Lafayette, Indiana |
| Successor | Isuzu Ascender Opel Antara |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 4-door wagon |
| Related | Isuzu Axiom JMC Landwind |
| Similar | Jeep Grand Cherokee Mitsubishi Montero Sport Nissan Pathfinder |
| Generation 1 | |
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| Production | 1991–1997 |
| Engine | 2.6L 120 hp I4 3.2L 175 hp V6 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual Overdrive 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive |
| Wheelbase | 108.70 in. (Rodeo) 91.70 (Amigo) |
| Length | 183.90 in. (Rodeo) 184.6 in. (Rodeo LS) 165.50 (Amigo) |
| Width | 66.5 in. (Rodeo) 68.5 in. (Rodeo LS) 70.10 (Amigo) |
| Height | 63.6 in. (Rodeo) 64.4 in. (Rodeo LS) 69.90 (Amigo) |
| Fuel capacity | 21.9 gal. (82.9 L) |
| Generation 2 | |
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| Production | 1998–2004 |
| Engine | 3.2 L 205 hp V6 (Rodeo) 3.5L 250 hp V6 (Rodeo) |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive |
| Wheelbase | 106.40 in. (Rodeo) 96.90 in. (Rodeo Sport/Amigo) |
| Length | 177.50 in. (Rodeo) 170.3 in. (Rodeo Sport/Amigo) |
| Width | 70.40 in. (Rodeo) 70.4 in. (Rodeo Sport/Amigo) |
| Height | 69.20 in. (Rodeo) 67.1 in. (Rodeo Sport/Amigo) |
| Fuel capacity | 19.5 gal. (73.8 L) (Rodeo) 17.7 gal. (67.0 L) (Amigo/Rodeo Sport) |
The Isuzu MU Wizard was a mid-size 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 popular United States version was called the Rodeo. Honda, Opel/Vauxhall and Holden each sold rebadged versions of the vehicle.
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[edit] Isuzu Rodeo
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]
[edit] 1991–1992
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 antilock brakes were standard feature, but not an option for all four wheels.
All models had a rear seat bottom which folded forward and rear seat back which folded down; this vastly extending the 35 cubic foot (1.0 m³) cargo area. The vehicle's lug wrench was stored under the seat bottom, concealed by a carpeted Velcro flap. The jack was located behind a plastic panel in the left-rear of the cargo area along with the rear-windshield-washer fluid reservoir if so-equipped.
The LS was available with privacy glass, velour upholstery, and split-folding rear seats. The front door handles also had to be held aloft while closing the doors to lock.
A rear wheel drive, manual transmission model with a 21.9 U.S. gallon (83 L) tank was rated at 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) in city driving, 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) on the highway. A four wheel drive model with the V6 and automatic transmission was rated at 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) city and 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) highway, though these ratings were disputed by auto reviewers from the beginning.[2]
A secret locking compartment was fitted in the depths of the center console below a removable cassette storage bin. Lack of cup holders was a common complaint of auto reviewers of the era.[3]
The vehicle was 176.4" long and weighed 3,490 to 3,820 lb (1,580 to 1,730 kg), depending on engine and options.
Base prices (US)
- S — $12,818
- XS — $16,600
- LS — $17,899 for automatic, $16,799 for manual
Isuzu sold 24,612 Rodeos in 1991 and 45,257 Rodeos in 1992.[4]
[edit] 1993
For 1993, Isuzu ditched the General Motors engine and replaced it with their own 24-valve OHC V6 which was rated at 175 hp (130 kW). Manually-locking hubs were eliminated, but the floor-mounted transfer case shifter remained. The 1993 Rodeo featured a recalibrated suspension system, softened spring rates and softened shock valving.
The Rodeo now weighed between 3,536 and 4,120 lb (1,604 to 1,869 kg). Base price was raised to $14,074, and the EPA rating was 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) city and 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) highway.
[edit] Later models
In 1993, an Isuzu 3.2 L V6 engine became available, as well as a Family II 4-cylinder from Holden.
The Isuzu Amigo, a slightly shorter, two-door version of the MU Wizard which was also available with a removable soft-top, was renamed Rodeo Sport before it was dropped from the product line.
[edit] Frontera
The MU Wizard was known in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Frontera and in Europe as the Opel Frontera. It was originally built at the former Bedford Vehicles factory in Luton; it would become known as the IBC factory (Isuzu Bedford Company). In the 1980s the plant had come under joint control between Isuzu and General Motors, with the Frontera being built alongside a number of other commercial vehicle models. The Australian and New Zealand version of the MU Wizard model range was known as the Holden Frontera.
After General Motors took full control over the IBC Vehicles factory in 1998, the Frontera production line was transferred to General Motors' Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, home of the Vauxhall Astra.
The Frontera was discontinued from production in 2004. If current rumours are correct, the replacement model in the Vauxhall range will be based on the hardware of the GM Daewoo/Chevrolet Captiva rather than an Isuzu model. In Australia and New Zealand, the Holden Frontera will be replaced by a Holden badged version of the GM Daewoo/Chevrolet Captiva model range.[citation needed]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Truett, Richard. 1993 Isuzu Rodeo Review. Cars.com, republished from Orlando Sentinel, 21 October 1993.
- ^ Mateja, Jim. 1991 Isuzu Rodeo Review. Cars.com, republished from Chicago Tribune, 1 October 1990.
- ^ Dean, Paul. 1993 Isuzu Rodeo Review. Cars.com, republished from LATimes.com, September 7, 1990.
- ^ Mateja, Jim. 1993 Isuzu Rodeo Review. Cars.com, republished from Chicago Tribune, 31 January 1993.
