Isuzu VehiCROSS

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Isuzu VehiCROSS

Manufacturer	Isuzu
Also called	VX
Production	1997–2001
Class	Compact sports SUV
Body style	3-door SUV
Engine	3.2 L V6 Japanese Edition 3.5 L V6 US Edition
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	91.8 in
Length	162.6 in
Width	70.5 in
Height	66.9 in
Related	Isuzu Trooper
Similar	Jeep Wrangler

The Isuzu VehiCROSS was a halo car for the SUV-specialist company Isuzu. Produced from 1997 (Japanese market 1997-1999) through 2001 (US market 1999-2001), it shared much of its components with the Trooper, including both its 3.2 L and 3.5 L V6 engine that produces 215 bhp @5400 RPM and 230 ft·lbf) @3000 RPM of torque. The vehicle also featured 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 wheels towards the ends of the vehicle, an aggressive forward stance, titanium "teeth" in the grille, a black hood-insert, and black plastic cladding the entire lower half of the vehicle. The VehiCROSS came equipped with 16" polished wheels in 1999 and 18" chrome wheels during the remainder of production.

The VehiCROSS was highly regarded for its cross-terrain performance. It is the first and only vehicle to date that 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. 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 a nimbleness on-road that is unique in the SUV world, its body-on-frame truck construction and unique suspension and 4WD gearing made it very capable off-road. As such, it neither truly fit with traditional 4x4 vehicles, with its on-road refinement, nor the crossover SUV market, with its decidedly off-road construction and ability. It is as capable as the best of commercially available 4x4 vehicles, yet maintains on-road manners that were unique for its time.

Sales were intentionally limited, with only 4,309 vehicles being produced in total, and just 4,153 finding homes in the United States in three years of sales. As it stands, the vehicle has an obscure role in history. It has a character which straddles the on/off-road divide that is still unmatched today with current crossover vehicles that may best it in one category, but have yet to match its off-roadability.

1 Manufacture and Release
2 Design Team
3 In Motorsport
4 In Popular Culture
5 Production Details
6 External links

[edit] Manufacture and Release

Upon its unveiling at the 1993 Tokyo International Auto Show and ultimate Japanese production release in 1997, the VehiCROSS was a design ahead of its time. It was the first time that a Japanese automaker had brought a concept vehicle to production with so little design changes and in so short a time (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, exemplified by the monotube shocks with external heat-expansion chambers (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 and a roadster (VX02) 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.

[edit] In Motorsport

Class Winner 1998 Paris-Dakar Rally
Class Winner 1999 Australian Safari Rally
Winner "Most Unique Styling" Motor Trend 1999 Top 10 Sport/Utes

[edit] In Popular Culture

The VX02 (an Isuzu prototype vehicle based on the VehiCROSS platform) was prominently featured in the movie Mission to Mars.
Appearance in movie Unconditional Love
Appearance in movie Silent Predators
Several VehiCROSS trucks were used in the Mutant X (TV series) including episode "Altered Ego" .
Appearance in Fox series Skin (TV series)
Appearance in Fox series Dark Angel (TV series)
Appearance in MTV's Room Raiders
Appearance in HBO original series Curb your enthusiasm
Appearance in UPN's Special Unit 2 TV series (first season only)
Described in the Jonathan Carroll novel 'The Wooden Sea', published 2001, page 256
Used by Austin Robot Technology as foundation for robotic VX in 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge

[edit] Production Details

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