Isuzu MU Wizard
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The Isuzu MU Wizard was a mid-size SUV made by Isuzu and introduced in 1990 as a 1991 model. The MU Wizard ceased production in 2004. Japan-based 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.
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 rather "ro-DAY-o". The vehicle was still considered an import, as 75 percent of its parts were made overseas. [link]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 — 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. [link]
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.[link]
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
S — $12,818 XS — $16,600 LS — $17,899 for automatic, $16,799 for manualIsuzu sold 24,612 Rodeos in 1991 and 45,257 Rodeos in 1992. [link]
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.
Later models
In 1994, an Isuzu 3.2 L V6 engine became available, as well as a Family II 4-cylinder from Holden.The Isuzu Amigo, a smaller version of the MU Wizard with a removable soft-top, was renamed Rodeo Sport before it was dropped from the product line.
The Frontera
United Kingdom
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. 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.After General Motors took full control over the "IBC (as in Isuzu Bedford) Vehicles" factory in 1998 the Frontera production line was transferred to General Motors' Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, home of the Vauxhall Astra.
The car was discontinued from production in 2004, and 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.
Holden Frontera
The Australian version of the MU Wizard model range - the Holden Frontera will be replaced by a Holden badged version of the GM Daewoo/Chevrolet Captiva model range.External Links
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