VehiCROSS History: From Concept to Reality.
The VehiCROSS made its first appearance at the 1993 Tokyo Auto Show. While most design studios and manufacturers go to great extents to produce outrageous mock-ups and make claims of their mock-ups great technical ability (based on mostly untested principle), the VehiCROSS concept was actually produced to do both. In an attempt to re-shape the then developing SUV market, Isuzu managed to create a vehicle unique in the automotive world. The VehiCROSS's objective was to create a "Lightweight, compact, ecologicaly clean and functional" vehicle, and "...to produce an emotional recreational vehicle, one that you will care about. The design is paramount."
Led by Satomi Murayama, chief designer/manager at Isuzu's European office in Brussels, the design team was comprised of an international group: Simon Cox (Assistant Chief Designer best known for designing the Lotus Elan's interior), Joji Yanaka, Andrew Hill and Nick Robinson. The task was to build a "lightweight but tough, fun but environmentally friendly" SUV. Isuzu did this in spades.
Features unique to the Prototype:
- 205 Section tires
- Carbonfiber Grill
- Carbonfiber Hood Insert
- Hood Hinges (the fangs) that open the hood forward
- Rear Window opens upward (like a hatch), while the door swings to the side (like the production model)
- Carbonfiber Floor panels
- Carbonfiber Fuel Tank
- Aluminium Chassis (weighs 200 lbs)
- Double wishbone and twin shock absorbers all round
- Direct-injected supercharged 1.6 liter engine (close relative of the Lotus Elan) said to produce the power of a 2.2 liter motor
- Fitted Tow-hitch
- Two-piece back door, with top opening upwards and bottom swinging to the side.
- Motorcycle type binnacle (above steering wheel)
- Vertical Sub-panel fitted with gauges and Sony Satellite navigation system w/LED pop-up Monitor (comes out of dash-top)
Edition Variations
Domestic Japanese Market Edition
The Japanese VX stayed the same from beginning to end, except for the 175 Ltd Edition. The 175 Ltd Edition allowed buyers to choose the color, came with upgrades like leather seats and was limited to 175 production vehicles, each numbered with a special plate.
Japanese Exterior:
- 5 Exterior colors (White, Black, Blue, Green and Red - 25 Colors on 175 LTD version)
- Wheels: Matte 16 inch or Chrome 16 inch on 175 LTD version
- Headlights: Direct Quartz Bulb
- Right Side Fender Mirror
- Round Side Marker Lights behind wheel well
- Black Grill Fangs
- Keyed Entry
- Electric Folding Heated Door Mirrors
Japanese Interior:
- Cloth Patterned Seats (2-tone leather on 175 LTD version)
- Momo Steering Wheel
- Rear View Camera plus 2-DIN TV/Cassette Stereo w/Sat-Nav Option
- Short Center Arm Rest
- No Rear Headrests
Japanese Technical:
- 3.2 L Engine
- Stiffer Suspension Settings
- 2Lo 2Hi TOD
VehiCROSS Japanese Market Production Numbers by Exterior Color
| Exterior Color | Color No: | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Blazed Peacock Mica | 702 | 6 |
| Brurujitan Mica | 709 | 3 |
| Liberty Blue Mica | 717 | 4 |
| Astral Silver | 718 | 974 |
| Arcadian Green Mica | 719 | 4 |
| Tryton Blue Mica | 725 | 3 |
| Steel Blue Mica | 709 | 3 |
| Raspberry Mica | 745 | 5 |
| Radian Red | 756 | 19 |
| Magenta Metallic | 762 | 17 |
| Sunburst Orange Mica | 766 | 28 |
| Brilliant Red Mica | 808 | 10 |
| Ebony Black | 826 | 232 |
| Pure White | 831 | 26 |
| Straight Violet Metallic | 834 | 22 |
| Damson Mica | 848 | 3 |
| Iron Grey Metallic | 849 | 33 |
| Empire Blue Mica | 858 | 96 |
| Forrest Green Mica | 863 | 95 |
| Lava Grey Metallic | 867 | 7 |
| Leadlock Mica | 872 | 125 |
| Cosmic Blue Mica | 873 | 5 |
| Cobalt Blue Mica | 874 | 5 |
| Gala Peacock Mica | 885 | 12 |
| Golden Yellow Mica | 892 | 63 |
|
|
Defect Turn | 52 |
|
|
Total | 1805 |
US Export Market Edition
The US VX was offered in basic trim with interior color choices or the Ironman Edition (Ironman Triathlon branding)
US Exterior:
- 4 colors, increased to 6 (plus one color change) in 2000
- Wheels: Chrome 16 inch changed to Chrome 18 inch in 2000
- Headlights: Reflected Quartz Bulb
- Side Marker Lights above wheel well
- Brushed Metal Grill Fangs
- Standard Keyless Entry
US Interior:
- 2-Tone Leather Seats w/matching Interior Trim (Red/Black or Gray/Black)
- Standard Cruise Control
- Climate Control on 2000 and 2001 models
- Remote Garage Door Option
- Tall Center Arm Rest
- Rear Headrests
US Technical:
- 3.5 L Engine
- 2Lo TOD
Ironman Edition:
- Victory White Paint
- Hood Insert Decal
- Side Pillar Decals
- Rear Hatch Decal
- Factory Yakima Roof racks
- Embossed Ironman Seats
- Embroidered Ironman Floor Mats
- Sony Xplod speakers with a Sony Xplod decal above the Ironman decal on the sides only on 2000 models
VehiCROSS US Export Production Numbers by Year
| Exterior Color |
Interior | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astral Silver Metallic | Black/Red | 1021 | n/a | n/a | 1021 |
| Kaiser Silver Metallic | Black/Red | n/a | 57 | 101 | 158 |
| Kaiser Silver Metallic | Black/Gray | n/a | 135 | 251 | 386 |
| Victory White or Ironman | Black/Red | 420 | 96 | 86 | 602 |
| Ebony Black | Black/Red | 564 | 51 | 87 | 702 |
| Ebony Black | Black/Gray | n/a | 138 | 226 | 364 |
| Proton Yellow | Black/Gray | n/a | 111 | 368 | 479 |
| Dragon Green Mica | Black/Gray | n/a | 125 | 105 | 230 |
| Foxfire Red Mica | Black/Gray | n/a | 90 | 120 | 210 |
| Polar White Pearl | Black/Red | n/a | n/a | 1 | 1 |
|
|
Totals | 2005 | 803 | 1345 | 4153 |
Total Exported from Japan from 1999-2001 is 4,309
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