Isuzu MU Wizard
| Isuzu MU | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Isuzu Motors |
| Production | 1989–2004 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 3-door wagon 5-door wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Successor |
Opel Antara (Europe) Isuzu Ascender (North America) Isuzu MU-7 (Southeast Asia) Honda Pilot (Honda Passport) |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
Isuzu Rodeo
|
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Isuzu Amigo Isuzu MU Wizard Isuzu Cameo (Thailand only) Isuzu Rodeo Isuzu Vega (Thailand only) Chevrolet Frontera Chevrolet Rodeo Holden Frontera Honda Jazz Honda Passport Opel Frontera Vauxhall Frontera |
| Production | 1989–1998 1993–2002 (Thailand) 1998–2003 (Egypt) |
| Assembly | Japan: Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Egypt: 6th of October City Thailand: Rayong United Kingdom: Luton United States: Lafayette, Indiana |
| Designer | Hiromu Wada (1987) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Isuzu Faster (TF) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.3 L 4ZD1 I4 2.4 L C24SE I4 (GM, Aus) 2.4 L C24NE I4 (Euro) 2.6 L 4ZE1 I4 3.1 L LG6 V6 (GM) 3.2 L 6VD1/6VD1W V6 2.5 L 4JA1 diesel I4 (Cameo, TH) 2.8 L 4JB1-T turbo diesel I4 3.0 L 4JH1-T turbo diesel I4 3.1 L 4JG2 turbo diesel I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed 4L30-E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | SWB: 91.7 in (2,329 mm) LWB: 108.7 in (2,761 mm) |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Chevrolet Frontera Isuzu Amigo Isuzu Rodeo Isuzu Rodeo Sport Isuzu Wizard Holden Frontera Holden Frontera Sport Honda Passport Opel Frontera Opel Frontera Sport Vauxhall Frontera Vauxhall Frontera Sport |
| Production | 1998–2004 |
| Assembly | Japan: Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa United States: Lafayette, Indiana Tunisia: Kairouan (IMM) |
| Designer | Takahiro Uematsu (1996) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Isuzu Axiom |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | SWB: 2,460 mm (96.9 in) LWB: 2,700 mm (106.4 in) |
The Isuzu MU is a mid-size SUV that was produced by the Japan-based manufacturer Isuzu. The three-door MU was introduced in 1989, followed in 1990 by the five-door version called Isuzu MU Wizard, both of which stopped production in 1998 to be replaced by a second generation. This time, the five-door version dropped the "MU" prefix, to become the Isuzu Wizard. The acronym "MU" is short for "Mysterious Utility". Isuzu manufactured several variations to the MU and its derivates for sale in other countries.
The short-wheelbase (three-door) version was sold as the Isuzu MU and Honda Jazz in Japan, with the names Isuzu Amigo and later Isuzu Rodeo Sport used in the United States. Throughout continental Europe, the three-door was called Opel Frontera Sport, with the Vauxhall Frontera Sport title used in the United Kingdom, and Holden Frontera Sport in Australasia.
The long-wheelbase (five-door) version was available as the Isuzu Wizard in Japan, and in North America as Isuzu Rodeo and the Honda Passport. Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden each also sold rebadged versions of the five-door as the Opel Frontera, Vauxhall Frontera, and Holden Frontera. It was also sold as the Chevrolet Frontera in Egypt, the Isuzu Cameo and Isuzu Vega in Thailand, the Isuzu Frontier in South America, and as Chevrolet Rodeo in Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia.
The three-door Isuzu MU made its debut in Japan during 1989, with the five-door MU Wizard introduced the following year. Based on the Isuzu Faster (TF) pickup truck of 1988, both the three- and five-door models shared bodywork and most internal components from the front doors forward. Like the Faster pickup, the MU and MU Wizard featured rear- and four-wheel drive layout configurations. Japanese sales were limited by the fact that the exterior width dimensions were not in compliance with Japanese Government dimension regulations, and the engine displacement obligated Japanese drivers for higher levels of annual road tax.
Between 1993 and 1996, Honda retailed three-door versions of the MU under the name Honda Jazz for the Japanese market under a model sharing arrangement that resulted in several Isuzu models being badged Honda and vice versa.
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