Isuzu looks to ride SUV wave in India, launches new MU-X

Isuzu Motors India today introduced the new MU-X SUV in the Indian market, priced at Rs 23.9 lacs for the 2WD variant and Rs 25.9 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) for the 4WD version. 

The MU-X looks butch with the signature Isuzu chrome grille at the front, flanked by projector headlamps and LED DRLs. The SUV is essentially the same vehicle, underneath its skin, as the Chevrolet Trailblazer but looks a lot more contemporary in comparison from the front and back.

The vehicle also gets 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, shod with 255/65 rubber. The SUV has a ladder-on-frame chassis, with extensive use of high-tensile steel for higher strength. It comes with a double wishbone setup at the front and a penta-link suspension setup at the rear.

The MUX comes powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 174bhp of power and 380Nm of peak torque. There is only an automatic transmission on offer, which is a 5-speed unit, with the 4WD variant also getting a shift-on-the-fly differential lock mechanism.

On the inside, the SUV gets automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a start-stop button, electronically adjustable driver seat, a touch-screen infotainment system, along with a roof mounted video screen above the middle row. 

According to Isuzu, it particularly paid attention to the comfort and ergonomics in the last row, with one-touch tumble-down second row seats and good backrest angle.

On the safety front, the SUV gets two airbags, and other technologies such as ABS with EBD, ESC and Traction Control. 

The vehicle replaces the outgoing MU-7 SUV, which held the baton of being the flagship product for the company's operations in the Indian market, since December 2013, when it was initially introduced through the CBU route, later being contract assembled at Hindustan Motor's plant in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

The Japanese UV and CV major, Isuzu, completed 100 years of its existence and sees operations in 34 markets globally, with having segment leadership in 25 of them.

Speaking at the launch, Hiroshi Nakagawa, chairman, Isuzu Motor India, said, "India is one of the most important markets for Isuzu because of the huge potential for its vehicles, as well as from a manufacturing point of view. The company aims to make India a global hub of manufacturing for driving exports to its world markets from its Sri City facility, in Andhra Pradesh."