Isuzu MU-X imported to India for testing

At the start of this year, Isuzu was mulling the launch of the MU-X for the Indian market. The carmaker has now got a prototype of the SUV in India for testing.

Isuzu has its local manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, where it currently produces their latest model - the D-Max V-Cross. We can expect the MU-X to be assembled at this plant. For now, this prototype could be used for testing in the Indian environment. The carmaker might also use this vehicle for getting homologation certification from India’s chief regulatory agency, ARAI.

The Isuzu MU-X is basically an upmarket product packed with a whole load of features. These include projector headlamps, multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, cruise control and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system etc. This MU-X seven-seater SUV came as a replacement to the Alterra, which is basically the MU-7 sold in the Indian market. So we can expect this SUV to replace the ageing MU-7 model presently on sale in our country.

Globally, the Isuzu MU-X comes powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine producing 174bhp of power and 380Nm of torque. The SUV is available in either a four-wheel-drive or two-wheel-drive variant. Both these versions come paired to a five-speed automatic transmission.

There is no official word from Isuzu about its launch yet, but once launched, the MU-X will compete with the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour in the Indian market.