All-New Isuzu Rodeo Pickup Mixes Business with Pleasure

Press Release

Outstanding Safety Initiatives

The new Rodeo??????????????????????????????????????s standard safety features are truly outstanding for a pickup and illustrate its importance worldwide where in many countries it will be chosen as a family car such as in the Far East or the Greek peninsular. American customers also demand high standards of passive safety. Standard features include a three-channel, four-sensor anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). This latter feature is especially important on a pickup which has to cope with a wide variation between laden and unladen weight. The Rodeo??????????????????????????????????????s EBD compensates for the front and rear load differences during braking ??????????????????????????????????????? before the ABS intervenes ??????????????????????????????????????? preventing rear axle lock-up which can afflict some pickups. The front brakes also have twin piston callipers which enhances braking effort and evens out pad wear. All Rodeos also have twin front airbags with side protection door beams for all doors. The front and rear of the body have special crush zones designed to provide maximum absorption during impacts while the centre section and chassis are specially reinforced.

Stronger, Stiffer Chassis And Galvanised Body Panels

The cab rides on a completely new separate chassis which is stiffer and more resistant to bending in the longitudinal zone by 60 per cent and 50 per cent stronger laterally. A special cross member at the rear of the chassis greatly increases torsional rigidity and spreads out the payload more evenly. Helping both safety, refinement and durability is a single-piece cabin side which is also galvanized for maximum corrosion-protection as are the cabin rear panel, inner and outer doors, bonnet, wings, wheel well housings, tub floor and sides plus the tailgate. And on the subject of longevity, even the fuel tank is rust-resistant, being made of polyethylene unlike the vulnerable steel tanks of many other models. Rodeos supplied by official importer, Isuzu (UK) Limited, also enjoy extra rustproofing. This involves a heavy-duty wax coating for the underbody and cavity-injection of crucial box-sections.

Three-Point Seat-Belts Plus ISOFIX Child Seat Mountings

The front seat-belts have impact load-limiting pretensioners and are height-adjustable as are the two outer rear seat-belts on the Double Cab. Every Rodeo occupant also benefits from a three-point seat belt ??????????????????????????????????????? even for the centre passenger on the Double Cab. Even more unusual is the fitment of an ISOFIX child seat mounting on the front passenger seat of every model and also on the two outer rear seats of the Double Cab. This makes the new Rodeo ideally suited for use as a ?????????????????????????????????lifestyle?????????????????????????????????????? family vehicle.

Car-Like Security Features

Passenger car-like security features include an engine immobiliser for all models plus a warning reminder should the ignition key be left in the vehicle inadvertently. Meanwhile, the top-spec Denver also has an alarm and central door locking with a keyless entry facility featuring a rolling code for even greater security. This works by changing the code between the key and the vehicle every time the Rodeo is locked and unlocked ??????????????????????????????????????? like shuffling a pack of cards.

New Rodeo Really Measures Up

Cargo dimensions, payloads and towing weights are among the best available with, for example, a maximum loadfloor length of 2,270 mm for the Single Cab and 1,380 mm for the Double Cab. The Rodeo 4x2 Single Cab has a highly competitive 1,135 kg payload, with the 4x2 Double Cab boasting a useful 1,110 kg payload. Meanwhile, the Rodeo 4x4 Single Cab can carry 1,095 kg and the 4x4 Double Cab 1,055 kg ??????????????????????????????????????? all comfortably within the tax-critical 1,000 kg threshold. Even the top-spec Rodeo Denver automatic has a 1,045 kg payload. Towing weights are equally impressive, being 2,000 kg for the 2.5 litre models ??????????????????????????????????????? the same as for the previous TF Pickup ??????????????????????????????????????? and a class-challenging 2,500 kg for the new 3.0 litre 4x4 models. The new Rodeo 4x4??????????????????????????????????????s ground clearance is a generous 225 mm in Denver-spec and 210 as a normal 4x4 Single or Double Cab. Approach and departure angles are 35 degrees and 21 degrees for the Denver and 34 degrees and 21 degrees for all other 4x4 Rodeos. Even the standard 4x2 models can clear most building site obstacles and tractor-churned furrows, with ground clearances of either 190 mm as a Single Cab or 195 mm in slightly bigger-tyred Double Cab form.

Powerful, Frugal New 3.0 Litre Diesel Engine

Isuzu is a world leader in the design and manufacture of diesel engines with major engine factories as far apart as Poland and the USA. Indeed, General Motors selected Isuzu to be its ?????????????????????????????????centre of excellence?????????????????????????????????????? in all issues diesel. Isuzu supplies large engines for GM trucks and smaller passenger-car units for Opel/Vauxhall models and also Saab and Renault. So it is no surprise that the Rodeo??????????????????????????????????????s new 3.0 litre direct-injection Diesel Turbo is not only the largest available in the UK pick-up market but arguably the best. Producing a substantial 130.5 PS at 3,800 rpm and running on an 18.3:1 compression ratio, the unit has ample power to keep up with most road cars. And with either 206.5 lb.ft of torque in manual form or 216.8 lb.ft as an automatic ??????????????????????????????????????? both at only 1,600 rpm ??????????????????????????????????????? the Rodeo has the pulling power to haul heavy trailers and keep engine revs down for added refinement and fuel economy. With a bore and stroke of 95.4 mm x 104.9 mm, this 2,999 cc four cylinder unit combines well-proven, low-stress overhead valve technology with an advanced high-pressure electronically-controlled fuel-injection pump matched to an intercooler and turbocharger. Designed for a long life and minimum maintenance ??????????????????????????????????????? service intervals are a class-leading 12,000 miles ??????????????????????????????????????? the new engine is not related to the common-rail 3.0 litre 16 valve DOHC unit fitted to the Trooper 4x4. Top speed for the Rodeo Denver automatic is an unbeatable 99 mph with the lower-geared manual reaching 96 mph. Fuel economy is a remarkable 25.7/34.9 and 30.7 mpg on the Urban/Extra Urban and Combined Cycles for the Denver manual and 24.4/32.5 and 28.8 mpg in automatic form.

Smaller Brother, Similar Qualities

Revised for the new Rodeo and closely related to the new 3.0 litre, the 2.5 litre diesel is also direct-injection with overhead valves, four cylinders and an 18.5:1 compression ratio. Like its larger brother, the Rodeo??????????????????????????????????????s 2.5 litre meets the strict new Euro4 emission standards and produces 100.6 PS at 3,800 rpm and a beefy 166.7 lb.ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. The bore and stroke are 93 x 92 mm for a capacity of 2,499 cc and the fuel-injection system is also by a high-pressure electronically-controlled pump matched to the intercooler and turbocharger. Again, service intervals are a class-leading 12,000 miles and fuel economy is a car-like 29.7/38.7 and 34.9 mpg on the Urban/Extra Urban and Combined cycles. Top speed for the Rodeo 4x2 Single or Double Cab is an identical 93 mph ??????????????????????????????????????? more than sufficient for high-speed motorway use. Refinement gains a major boost thanks to extensive sound-deadening in critical areas.

Intelligent Transmissions Built To Deliver

Whether in rear-wheel drive (4x2) or four-wheel drive (4x4) formats, all Isuzu Rodeo pickups have easy-to-use manual or automatic transmissions, the manual, for example, being an especially slick-shifting five-speed. And on the new Rodeo Denver an optional four-speed automatic gearbox is available offering some sophisticated aids to relaxed yet responsive driving. For example, ?????????????????????????????????Grade Logic?????????????????????????????????????? intervenes during steep gradients giving the driver better control. When climbing, the gearbox reduces the tendency to ?????????????????????????????????hunt?????????????????????????????????????? from one gear to another, unlike ordinary automatics. Equally, during descents, the ?????????????????????????????????box?????????????????????????????????????? will change down from fourth to third, providing improved engine braking and driver control ??????????????????????????????????????? especially useful when fully laden or when towing a trailer. The Rodeo Denver??????????????????????????????????????s automatic also features two modes: ?????????????????????????????????power?????????????????????????????????????? and ?????????????????????????????????3rd start??????????????????????????????????????. The former provides livelier acceleration by holding on to the gears for longer during upshifts while the latter allows the vehicle to move off in 3rd gear in slippery conditions, reducing the risk of wheelspin. Rodeo 4x4 models have a fascia-mounted button to select ?????????????????????????????????shift-on-the-fly?????????????????????????????????????? allowing 4WD or 2WD to be engaged on the move at speeds up to 60 mph. For low ratio the vehicle must be stationary but selection is equally simple.

Water Wading Snorkel

Isuzu has taken the Rodeo??????????????????????????????????????s all-terrain abilities very seriously ??????????????????????????????????????? even for 4x2 models. For example, all Rodeos have a rear limited-slip differential for added traction in slippery conditions. And the rear axle even has a snorkel to enable the Rodeo to ?????????????????????????????????breathe?????????????????????????????????????? under water. All versions also have extensive under body protection such as skid plates in selected vulnerable areas.

Brakes And Tyres Up To The Job

The new Rodeo has a braking system especially designed for demanding commercial use and features large 280 mm ventilated front discs for the 4x4 and 295 mm rear drums. Rodeo 4x2 models feature 256 mm front discs and 254 mm rear drums. The dual-circuit braking system has tandem servos measuring 216.3 mm and 188.4 mm. In addition, all Rodeos have a sophisticated three-channel, four-sensor anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). The Rodeo 4x2 Single Cab has 195 R 14 tyres mounted on 14 x 5.5 ins steel wheels while the Double Cab carries 215/70 R 15 tyres on 15 x 6.5 ins steel wheels. Larger tyres still are fitted to the Rodeo 4x4 Single Cab ??????????????????????????????????????? 225/75 R 15 ??????????????????????????????????????? while the range-topping Denver boasts 245/70 R 16 tyres encasing 16 x 7 ins alloy wheels.