Detroit Bridge: ISUZU ANNOUNCES 2008 MODELS

(Isuzu Press Release):
ISUZU ANNOUNCES 2008 MODELS
Standard Head-Curtain Side Airbags for Ascender; More Towing Capacity and New Option Packages for Pickup


Isuzu Motors America, Inc., today announced enhancements to its line of award-winning trucks and SUVs for the 2008 model year. Among the improvements: standard head-curtain side-impact airbags for the flagship Ascender, and a line of Pickups with simplified option packages and significant increases in towing capacity. All vehicles continue the Isuzu tradition of offering tremendous durability, ruggedness, warranty protection and value to consumers. In fact, Isuzu was recognized by the Power Information Network in August 2007 for having the greatest improvement in retained value of any brand in the U.S. market.

2008 Isuzu Pickup

Developed jointly by General Motors Corporation and lead engineering partner Isuzu Motors Limited, the Isuzu Pickups have been award winners since their introduction in the U.S. market for 2006. Most recently, the 2007 i-290 4x2 Extended Cab was recognized in June 2007 as one of the Top Ten “Best Bang for the Buck” pickup trucks by Cars.com.

Extended Cab: The Isuzu Extended Cab Pickup continues to be available as an i-290 4x2 (with a standard 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 185 horsepower and the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission) and as an i-370 4x2 (with a standard 3.7-liter, 242-horsepower inline five-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission).


Trim levels change for 2007. The i-290 4x2 Extended Cab is available in value-laden S trim; the Preferred Equipment Package remains optional. The i-370 4x2 Extended Cab is available in upgraded LS trim. The i-370’s Luxury Package has been discontinued, with many of its features made standard or available as stand-alone options.

Towing capacity has increased for the new model year. All i-290s get a 100-pound boost (from 2,100 to 2,200 pounds for manual transmission models and from 3,100 to 3,200 for those with automatic transmission). Meanwhile, the towing capacity of i-370 models increases a whopping 37.5%, from 4,000 to 5,500 pounds.

Here’s a summary of changes for Isuzu Extended Cab Pickups for 2008:

Isuzu Motors America, Inc./2008 Model Year Changes
Fog lights, sliding rear window and leather-wrapped steering wheel now standard on i-370
• Head-curtain side-impact airbags, automatic locking rear differential, electronic traction control and AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer now available as stand-alone options on i-370
• New optional integrated trailer hitch and wiring harness on i-370
• Number of cargo tie-downs standardized across all models to four
• Radiant Orange Metallic, Midnight Metallic and Cool Slate Metallic exterior colors replace Copper Orange Metallic, Teal Gray Metallic and Yellow
• i-290 towing capacity increases 100 pounds (to 2,200 pounds with manual transmission; 3,200 pounds with automatic transmission)
• i-370 towing capacity increases 1,500 pounds (to 5,500 pounds)
• LS Package discontinued for i-290 4x2 Extended Cab
• Luxury Package discontinued for i-370 4x2 Extended Cab

Crew Cab: The Isuzu Crew Cab Pickup continues to be available as an i-370 (with standard 3.7-liter, 242-horsepower inline five-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission) in a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drive configurations.

All i-370 Crew Cabs are equipped with upgraded LS trim, but the Limited Package has been discontinued for 2008. Its equipment has been made standard, part of the new Comfort Package, or available as stand-alone options for the new model year.

Towing capacity on all Crew Cabs has been increased from 4,000 to 5,500 pounds.


Here’s a summary of changes for Isuzu Crew Cab Pickups for 2008:

• New optional Comfort Package includes:
o AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer, seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, speed-compensated volume, TheftLock and Radio Data System
o Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and outside temperature indicator
o Leather seating surfaces
o Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
o Six-way power adjustable front passenger’s seat
o Adjustable head restraints
o Dual-level heated front seats
• Sliding rear window and automatic locking rear differential now standard on all Crew Cabs

• Electronic traction control, formerly part of the Limited Package, now standard on all 4x2 Crew Cabs (not available on 4x4 models)
• AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer available as a stand-alone option
• New optional integrated trailer hitch and wiring harness
• Number of cargo tie-downs standardized across all models to four
• Radiant Orange Metallic, Midnight Metallic and Cool Slate Metallic exterior colors replace Copper Orange Metallic, Teal Gray Metallic and Yellow
• Towing capacity increases 1,500 pounds (to 5,500 pounds)
• Limited Package discontinued

Production of the 2008 Isuzu Pickups began in June 2007 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Pricing begins at $18,084 for the i-290 4x2 Extended Cab S and at $25,214 for the i-370 4x2 Crew Cab LS.

2008 Isuzu Ascender

Isuzu’s flagship SUV returns for 2008, a true body-on-frame vehicle with plenty of room for five passengers, up to 5,800 pounds of towing capacity, and a multiple award-winning 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine under its hood. Standard head-curtain side-impact airbags on all models contribute to enhanced safety and peace of mind for the new model year.

Both 2WD and 4WD models are available in well-equipped S trim, and with optional Preferred Equipment, LS and Luxury Packages. The LS’s optional Leather Package has been discontinued.

Here’s a summary of changes for the Isuzu Ascender for 2008:

• Head-curtain side-impact airbags added as standard equipment on all models
• Engine recalibrated for optimal fuel economy and reduced emissions; re-certified by SAE to deliver 285 horsepower and 276 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,600 rpm
• Storm Gray Metallic/Gray Metallic, Currant Red Metallic/Dark Bronzemist Metallic and Natural Suede Metallic/Dark Bronzemist Metallic two-tone exterior colors replaced by Midnight Metallic/Gray Metallic and Black Garnet Metallic/ Gray Metallic on S, Preferred Equipment and LS models
• Storm Gray Metallic, Currant Red Metallic and Natural Suede Metallic monotone exterior colors replaced by Midnight Metallic, Black Garnet Metallic and Flint Gray Metallic on Luxury models
• Light Cashmere interior color discontinued
• Leather Package discontinued

Production of the 2008 Ascender began in July in Moraine, Ohio. The Ascender S 2WD has a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $27,884.

Other Improvements

The engines of all Isuzu Ascender and Pickup models are enhanced with the addition of a new Generation 1 System 3 E67 engine management system. Featuring 32-bit processing, 32 megabytes of flash memory and 128 kilobytes of RAM, this high-end engine controller synchronizes more than 100 functions, including the engines’ electronic throttle control, variable exhaust valve timing, spark timing, and cruise control operation. It is more than 50 times faster than the computers first used on internal combustion engines in the 1970s.

Each engine is also equipped with new Multec 3.5 fuel injectors featuring more compact, better-sealing electrical connectors.

All of the powerplants meet the EPA’s tough new Bin 4 emission requirements.

Warranty

All 2008 Isuzu Pickup and Ascender owners will continue to benefit from Isuzu’s seven-year/75,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and matching 24-hour roadside assistance coverage. Isuzu Roadside Assistance provides lockout protection, flat tire repair, battery recharging, fuel delivery and towing (excluding accident-related incidents) at no charge to the customer.

These coverages are in addition to Isuzu’s three-year/50,000-mile basic and six-year/100,000-mile perforation from corrosion warranties.

-- Elliott M. Smith - DetroitBridgeOnline.com