Isuzu MU-X SUV Imported To India For Testing

Isuzu, the Japanese SUV manufacturer has recently imported a single prototype model of the MU-X SUV to India for testing. Indicating that the carmaker might be planning to launch the SUV in India soon, the new Isuzu MU-X will replace the outgoing MU-7 SUV. Now the carmaker is yet to confirm this, but there are rumours claiming that Isuzu will launch the new MU-X SUV in India before the end of 2017. Here are 7 thing you need to know about the upcoming model.

Isuzu began its journey in India back in 2013 with the launch of its premium SUV - the Isuzu MU-7. Sadly the SUV never saw the success that carmaker hoped it would, mainly because the SUV looked outdated and customers had much better and reliable options like - Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner. Another reason why the MU-7 failed to generate volumes for the company in India was because of the Isuzu's limited presence in the country.

But Isuzu plans to change all that and it took the first step in that direction early this year by setting up its first local manufacturing plant in Sri City Andhra Pradesh. The plant manufactures Isuzu's latest offering in India - the D-Max V-Cross 'adventure utility vehicle,' which we also saw at the 2016 Auto Expo back in February. In fact, the new generation of Isuzu D-MAX pick-ups that will also be manufactured at the plant with an initial localisation of 70 per cent, which will be further increased in the future. And the next step in that direction seems to be the launch of the new Isuzu MU-X, which could also be assembled here in India.

Isuzu MU-X Rear

Coming to the SUV itself, the new Isuzu MU-X certainly looks more contemporary and stylish compared to the outgoing MU-7. The SUV comes with a large twin-slat chrome grille, sharp projector headlamps, and a muscular bonnet. The front of the SUV also comes with a beefy bumper that houses the wide central air dam, air intakes, round fog lamps and a skid plate. It has a much higher ground clearance with flared wheel arches, alloy wheels, and roof rails, adding to the SUV's aggressive profile.

The 7-seater SUV also offers several high-end features such as automatic climate control, AC vents for rear occupants, cruise control, height adjustable driver seat, ABS with EBD, brake assist, terrain management system and few others. Under the hood, the vehicle is likely to get the same 3.0-litre diesel engine that does duty on the existing MU-7, which churns out 161bhp and develops a peak torque of 360Nm. Transmission options will also likely remain unchanged.