Isuzu MU-X to replace the MU-7 SUV

Isuzu MU-X SUV will replace the MU-7 in India soon

The Isuzu MU-7 SUV, a rival to the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, has been on sale in the Indian car market for many months now. However, Isuzu’s wafer thin dealer network consisting of just 3 dealers, in Coimbatore, Chennai and Hyderabad, means that the odds of spotting an MU-7 is as good as spotting a Bugatti Veyron on Indian streets. Before much of India knows what a MU-7 is, the SUV could be replaced by an all-new version. Internationally, Isuzu has replaced the MU-7 SUV with its next-generation version called the MU-X. The MU-X SUV has already gone on sale in Thailand.

The 2014 Isuzu MU-X SUV, based on the Isuzu D-Max pick up truck platform, comes with a new body-on-ladder frame and completely restyled exteriors. The 2014 Isuzu MU-X SUV is now inspired by the design that was first seen on the 2013 version of the D-Max pick up truck. The MU-X SUV is available with two turbo diesel engines: A 2 liter unit that churns out 136 Bhp-320 Nm and a 3 liter unit that outputs 177 Bhp-380 Nm. The more powerful turbo diesel engine is likely to be outfitted to the India-spec MU-X, as is the case with the existing MU-7 SUV. The MU-X is sold with two gearbox options: A 5 speed manual gearbox and a 5 speed automatic gearbox.

Available in both 4X2 and 4X4 drive options, the MU-X SUV comes with revised suspension. The automatic variant of the SUV gets hill ascent and hill descent control, while an Active Grade Logic system allows the SUV to chug on in third gear in specific off-road conditions. The MU-X also features revised interiors, with a new dashboard design. With Isuzu all set to use Hindustan Motors’ Tiruvallur factory for CKD assembly of SUVs and pick up trucks, expect the MU-X to be CKD assembled at the same facility. CKD assembly could make the Isuzu MU-X more price competitive in India.