Isuzu Mu Second Generation 1998–2004
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
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| 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 |
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| Transmission |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | SWB: 2,460 mm (96.9 in) LWB: 2,700 mm (106.4 in) |
In September 1997, the second-generation MU (three-door) and Wizard (five-door; now with "MU" prefix dropped) were shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, with Japanese sales starting May 1998. North American and European sales began shortly thereafter.
In 2004, Isuzu added the optional 3.5-liter V6 gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine with 250 horsepower (190 kW) and 246 pound-feet (334 N⋅m) of torque. Isuzu was the first to offer (GDI) in a vehicle priced under US$100,000. The Rodeo weighs in at a little over 1,700 kilograms (3,800 lb), with an EPA estimated gas mileage for 2007 of 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km) city and 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km) highway for the two wheel drive model, and 15 mpg‑US (16 L/100 km) city and 20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km) highway for the four wheel drive model.
The second generation Isuzu Rodeo and its twin, the Honda Passport received a rating of "marginal" in the IIHS frontal offset test conducted at 40 mph (64 km/h) due to a possible injury to the right leg and the head, but dummy movement was reasonably well controlled.
Markets
- North America
The Amigo made a comeback in the US for 1998 after a three-year hiatus with the second generation model alongside the redesigned Rodeo. The Amigo was originally only available only as a soft top with a five-speed transmission. Standard rear-mounted spare tire, ABS, and removable sunroof rounded out the feature set. Fender flares and special 16-inch wheels available on the V6 and 4WD models. The Rodeo could also be optioned with a rear-mounted spare tire and its own 16-inch wheels on higher trim packages.
A new 2.2-liter X22SE engine built by Holden in Australia served as the base engine. Isuzu also offered the 205 hp (153 kW) 6VD1 V6 that carried 214 pound-feet (290 N⋅m) of torque at 3000 rpm. Fuel consumption is an estimated 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km) highway. From a technical prospective, the Rodeo and Amigo were built with a rigid frame that has eight crossmembers. Front suspension has independent lower and upper arms, with a solid rear axle. The Rodeo and Amigo 4WD models came with a modified Dana 44 rear axle and push-button four-wheel drive. They also had a traditional floor mounted lever for switching from high- to low-range. Underneath, both vehicles came with protective skid plates as a standard feature.
The North American Isuzu Amigo and Isuzu Rodeo were built at the Subaru Isuzu Automotive, Inc. assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
- 1998: Second generation Rodeo and Amigo debut.
- 1999: The Amigo gains a hardtop version and an optional automatic transmission. The Amigo logo is changed to block letters to better match the Rodeo and other Isuzu models.
- 2000: The Rodeo and Amigo receive a visual refresh with beefier bumpers, new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. On the inside, new seats and seat fabrics are introduced. The Amigo gets its own unique grille, light gray bumpers with faux bumper guard, matching light gray fender flares, and black-trimmed headlights. For the five-door Rodeo, adjustable shock absorbers were new this year and 16-inch tires became standard on all models. Cruise control was now standard on V6 Rodeos, and an automatic transmission became standard on the LSE edition. A new Intelligent Suspension Control featuring a dashboard button to adjust shock damping between sport and normal settings became standard on the LSE and optional on LS models. The Honda Passport did not get the adjustable-shock system. A new Ironman package debuted for the LS, marking Isuzu's sponsorship of the Ironman triathlon competition. The package included white or black paint over gray lower body panels, crossbars for the roof rack, and special graphics.
- 2001: In celebration of Isuzu's 85th year, an Anniversary Edition was added, along with a revised Ironman Package. The Amigo is renamed the Rodeo Sport.
- 2002: Last model year for Rodeo sales in Canada, as a result of Isuzu withdrawing from Canada after the 2002 model year. This is also the last year for the Honda Passport.
- 2003: New grille and headlights debut; as well as a revised dash and steering wheel. Last year for the Rodeo Sport. Halfway through the 2003 model year Isuzu switched to the Aisin AW30-40LS automatic transmission. This resulted in 4WD models losing their physical shifter and gaining a dash mounted knob to engage high and low-range.
- 2004: The Rodeo Sport (three-door model) is discontinued as well as the four-cylinder engine on the Rodeo. However, a new optional 3.5-liter 250 horsepower (190 kW) engine debuts. Added midyear was a standard tire-pressure monitor.
In October 2010, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled 1998–2002 Rodeos, 2002 Isuzu Axioms, and 1998–2002 Honda Passports due to corrosion of the vehicle's frame in the vicinity of the rear suspension. Vehicles without corrosion in the affected area would be treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Vehicles with more severe corrosion would have a reinforcement bracket installed. In some cases, corrosion was so severe that repairs could not be made, resulting in Isuzu and Honda purchasing vehicles from the owners. The final MU rolled of the assembly line in June 5, 2004.
- Europe
In the United Kingdom, the second generation Isuzu MU and Wizard were sold as the Vauxhall Frontera (five-door) and Vauxhall Frontera Sport (three-door). In continental Europe it was sold as the Opel Frontera (five-door) and Opel Frontera Sport (three-door).
After General Motors took full control over the IBC Vehicles factory in 1998, the Frontera production line was planned to be transferred to General Motors' Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port. However, with the closure of the Vauxhall Luton plant the decision to move was reversed. In 1998 the new model series was introduced with a choice of 2.2- petrol, 2.2-liter diesel (X22DTH) and 3.2-liter V6 petrol engines. Further modifications were carried out on the diesel engine post-2001, with the final version to be fitted in the marque being the 2.2-liter (Y22) version. This model met the Euro 4 Emissions standard.
The Frontera was discontinued from production at IBC Luton in 2004 (the final models in the UK were produced in Olympus trim). In Australia and New Zealand, the Holden Frontera was replaced by a Holden badged version of the Chevrolet Captiva model range.
- Australasia
Holden in Australia and New Zealand also retailed the second generation model from February 1999 as the UE or MX series Frontera. This time, both three- and five-door bodies were offered—now produced in the US. The five-door models had the 3.2-liter V6 engine rated at 151 kW (202 hp) and 290 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft) with optional automatic transmission, whilst the three-door Frontera Sport retained a four-cylinder engine and manual transmission only. Although the Frontera Sport came in just one specification, the five-door wagon offered base, S and SE trims. Holden facelifted the model in 2000 with a revised front grille and front bumper, reshaped headlamps and new taillamp lenses. In late 2001, a second upgrade arrived, bringing reductions in engine noise, the fitment of an electronic throttle, a change to the SE model's ABS calibration to bring improvements to dirt road performance, and several interior upgrades. Holden discontinued the Frontera Sport in June 2002. The five-door wagon continued until 2003, with enough production stockpiled to last until mid-2004, but it was ultimately semi-replaced with the Adventra in 2003.
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Holden Frontera Sport 3-door
