The Isuzu MU-X has been spotted on Indian soil (sans camouflage) ahead of its expected debut on May 11. It is a full size SUV and will replace the MU-7 as the Japanese automaker’s flagship offering in the country. The car spotted in the pictures is a pre- facelift model with sources suggesting that this is the car that will be launched here with the facelift expected sometime next year.
The MU-X that will be sold in India will be a fully loaded model and gets a chrome package, projector head lamps, LED DRLs and rear spoiler. Inside there is beige leather, silver trim in the cabin, six-speaker touchscreen infotainment system and split folding third row seats.
At the time of being launched, the car will be offered with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel producing 160hp/320Nm. Transmission options include a six-speed manual as well as six-speed AT with 4X4 being a standard option. However, a 4X2 option is likely to be offered in the base variants.
This segment is currently dominated by the likes of the Toyota Fortuner while vehicles like the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe are present but have not tasted the kind of success the Fortuner has had. The MU-X then has its work cut out in terms of who it needs to target to gain volumes and market share.
It will be locally assembled at Isuzu’s new plant at Sri City near the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border. The kits have been imported from Thailand.
