Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross launched; termed as India’s 1st Adventure Utility Vehicle it will be powered by a 134 hp 2.5-litre CRDI engine
Isuzu Motors India has unveiled the country’s first-ever “Adventure Utility Vehicle” at the 2016 Auto Expo alongside a new range of D-Max pick-up trucks. The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross AUV has taken the centre stage for being the first product of its class at the Japanese manufacturer’s press conference. It will be launched during the second half of 2016 at an estimated Rs. 15 lakh whilst the commercial version of the ISUZU D-MAX CrewCab will range between Rs. 8.5 and 9.5 lakh. The single cab version’s prices have not yet been disclosed by Isuzu.
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross will be intending to create the new segment with its comfort of a passenger vehicle and off-road capabilities of an Utility said the company. It will be squarely aimed at adventure enthusiasts and comes with a 4WD configuration. The Isuzu D-Max commerical pick-up will, however, be available in both 4X4 and 4X2 configurations besides a Cab-chassis variant and combination of Crew Cab or Single Cab, High Ride or Normal Ride and flat deck or arch-deck body structures.
The second-generation Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is currently being sold in European, Australian, Thai and South American markets and is built on Isuzu Gravity Response Intelligent Platform. It will be powered by a 2-5-litre high-pressure CRDI (Common Rail Fuel Injection Diesel) engine pumping out 134 hp and 320 Nm of peak torque between 1800 and 2800 rpm. The diesel mill will be coupled with a five-speed manual transmission and will feature off-roading features such as 4WD (shift-on-fly) drive mode, wider track with longer wheel base and High Ride suspension offering higher ground clearance.
Up front, it boasts masculine body, aggressive side profile, chrome finished front grille, projector headlamps, ORVMs with turn indicators, 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rails. As for the interiors, the D-Max V-Cross will be offered with seven-inch touchscreen display, multi-functional steering wheel with audio controls, USB, DVD, AUX, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity and electro-luminescent meters with MID (Multi Information Display).
The Japanese company announced recently that it will be switching to its own production facility in Sri City Andhra Pradesh from April 2016 rather than continuing its operations in the Hindustan Motors’ base in Chennai. At a total investment of Rs. 3,000 crore, Isuzu is planning to initially produce 50,000 units a year before more than doubling them to 120,000 and establishing 160 dealership networks across the nation by 2020.
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