Isuzu rides Crosswind in bid to top mere AUVs

Refusing to dismiss it merely as an AUV, Isuzu Philippines Corporation calls its latest product as a "crossover" vehicle instead, saying that buyers actually get three vehicles rolled into one. Sort of like getting one of those nifty cellphone/web-browser/FM radio gizmos. You may not need all the functions, but it’s good to have ‘em anyway.

Calling it the Hi-Lander Crosswind, it is an all-new vehicle and Isuzu’s bet to take on the lucrative and highly competitive light commercial vehicle market segment. The company took the covers off its latest baby last June 6, and according to Isuzu president Toru Koyasu, that’s "after more than a year of planning and relentless hard work."

Hailed by the company as its "new masterpiece," Isuzu regards the Crosswind as the product that will boost them to the top of the sales charts, the company feeling optimistic after last year’s 50-percent growth in retail sales. "For this year, we are targeting a 1000-unit sales per month, boldly increasing our sales by 185 percent," Isuzu marketing and sales vice president Katsuhiko Kato said.

Now while possessing multiple personalities are a disorder in humans, the same may not be true in vehicles. Isuzu claims the Crosswind is a car, a minivan and a sports-utility vehicle all at once, saying it has the maneuverability and responses of a car, the cargo- and people-hauling capabilities of a minivan, but in a body that has the rugged look of a sport-ute.

Also, the company is touting the Crosswind as the first and only vehicle in its class that offers a turbocharged diesel engine that’s mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, referring to this package as DAT, which stands for Diesel Automatic Turbo.

Under the Crosswind’s hood lies the company’s vaunted 4JA1 diesel engine. With a displacement of 2.5 liters, the motor benefits from direct injection technology and produce 81 horsepower at 3900 rpm and 17 kg/m at 2000 rpm for five-speed manual transmission variants. Automatic transmission-equipped Crosswinds, on the other hand, get an extra four more horsepower and 1.9 kilogram/meter of torque, courtesy of a turbo.

Meanwhile, the vehicle rides on a no-frills double wishbone, torsion bar with stabilizer suspension in front, and a semi-elliptical leaf spring setup at the rear. Stopping duties are taken care of the usual vented disc brakes/drum brakes combo. The Crosswind rolls on meaty 205/65 R15 rubbers wrapped on attractive alloys, bolstering the vehicle’s sport-ute image.

Inside, the higher-end variants boast of all the power-operated stuff and other features that are standard on modern cars. Safety concerns are taken care of ELR seatbelts, child-proof locks and side-impact door beams.

Seating can be reconfigured to suit various luggage and people hauling arrangements, just like in a minivan.

Another strength of the Crosswind is its large, single unit rear door, which is side-hinged-meaning it swings open from one side. In this case, the fifth door opens on the right side, or the curb side. Compared to the competition’s tail gate or split rear door, the Crosswind is a no-contest winner in the back door entry competition. No naughty puns intended, of course.

Offered in four variants, the lineup starts with the base model XL, which is priced at P620,000; the XT at P655,000; and the manual XTO at P718,000. The top model four-speed automatic transmission-equipped XTO sells for P768,000. Whatever model, though, the Crosswind is definitely a whiff of fresh wind in this vehicle segment.