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Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Isuzu Rodeo
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| STYLING, POWER CHASSIS, SUSPENSION CHANGES DIFFERENTIATE NEW RODEO |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:10:57 |
| Rating |
 192 ( 65 +33.85% ) |
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Description:
Isuzu's popular Rodeo has undergone
a total makeover for 1998. This, the first
complete change for Rodeo since its 1991
introduction, impacts everything from the new
Rodeo's more sophisticated styling, improved ride
and handling, interior room, higher horsepower
and torque rates and lighter weight. The only
thing unchanged is the name.
Built at Isuzu's shared Lafayette,
Indiana plant (SIA), and designed for the
American sports-utility buyer, the new Rodeo has
been conceived with an eye towards quality,
practicality and the ability to handle diverse
driving conditions.
Rodeo's elegant new styling features
a shortened rear overhang, "blister"
fenders and fastback styling. The tread width has
been widened by 2.4-inches (60mm), improving
handling and giving Rodeo a "tougher,"
sportier stance. At the same time, the floor pan
is 2-inches (50mm) lower than its most popular
competitor and enhances vehicle access. In
addition, a newly designed rear hatchgate opens
easily with one hand, to the left, providing
convenient curbside access.
For 1998, the Rodeo offers a choice
of spare tire mounting. The vehicle can be
ordered with the spare mounted underneath the
cargo area, or mounted on the hatchgate door. By
integrating the spare tire carrier with the
hatchgate, the need for a separate spare tire
carrier has been eliminated.
Inside, the new styling benefits are
immediately obvious. Legroom, headroom and
shoulder room have all been improved. Cargo space
has been increased by 8.3% to 6.2 cubic feet
(SOL). Legroom has been expanded 1.1-inches
(27mm) and headroom by .32 inches (8mm).
Driver controls have been analyzed
and redesigned for easier use. Basic switches are
located to the left and right of the steering
wheel for improved access and operability. Horn
activation has been relocated to the center of
the steering wheel. Heating, ventilation and
air-conditioning controls (HVAC) are now
dial-type. On four-wheel drive models, a button
switch, instead of a lever is used to activate
the four-wheel high feature. A lever remains for
4WD low to satisfy enthusiasts. An automatic
transmission gear indicator has been added to the
center of the instrument cluster in addition to
the location next to the shift quadrant. The
hazard-light switch has been moved to the center
of the dash and can now be activated by either
driver or passenger.
Special emphasis has been placed on
reducing noise and vibration, the result is an SW
as quiet as a sedan. The '98 Rodeo leads the
segment in the reduction of noise, vibration and
harshness (NVH). As a result, interior noise has
been dramatically reduced by more than 3db(A) to
70db(A) at 75 mph, this is a net reduction of
more than 50%, superior to comparable SWs, and on
par with a compact sedan.
Improvements in sound and vibration
damping were largely the result of improved door
sealing, better airflow management around the
exterior mirrors, a quieter engine cooling fan on
the V6, and a new 4-cylinder engine.
Body noise has been substantially
damped by the use of asphalt sheeting sandwiched
between inner and outer dash panels, on the front
floor; inside the wheel wells and in the luggage
area. In addition, body pillars are filled with
urethane foam and a foaming sealant has been
applied to the rocker panels to further suppress
noise transmission.
Weight reduction was an important
consideration during development. As a result,
overall weight has been decreased by over 285
pounds (130kg). By optimizing frame and body
mounting, Isuzu was able to reduce frame weight
by 50 pounds (23kg) while maintaining structural
integrity. A switch to rack and pinion steering,
the elimination of the spare tire carrier and the
adoption of a five-link rear suspension design
helped shed additional pounds. Use of an aluminum
propeller shah alone is responsible for a 13
pound (Skg) weight reduction. Through the use of
lighter-weight materials, and a more compact
design, almost 11 pounds (5kg) were removed from
the engine.
The ABS system has also been made
lighter and more compact. This was accomplished
by combining the hydraulic unit, the electronic
control unit (ECU) and relay into one assembly.
On four-wheel drive models, the G-sensor is now
incorporated into the ECU. This eliminates the
possibility of wiring problems between the
G-sensor and the ECU while further reducing
overall weight.
While making the Rodeo lighter,
Isuzu was able at the same time to improve the
vehicle's crashworthiness. Changing the
front-frame side member allows for increased
energy absorption and by using round pipes of
high-tensile steel in the door-beam design and
increasing door rigidity through computer aided
engineering, occupant protection has been
enhanced. The chassis has been redesigned as a
"dynamic safety cage" to further
suppress frame bending in the event of a front or
rear collision.
The addition of capsulated plastic
bumpers on both the front and rear results in
increased low-speed collision energy absorption
and significantly reduces potential repair costs.
The Rodeo LS is available in five
color-keyed combinations including Bright Silver
Metallic. The S model is available in seven
colors in addition to Bright Silver Metallic. The
S model will also be available in two new colors,
Caprice Blue Metallic and Copper Orange Mica,
after January '98.
Because of its comprehensive list of
standard equipment, options on LS models are
limited to automatic transmission with overdrive
(standard on 4X2), outside spare tire,
limited-slip differential, CD player and leather
interior. On 2.2 liter S models, options range
from air-conditioning to aero roof rack,
convenience net and cargo cover. The V6 S model
options, in addition to those for the 2.2 liter
model, are four-speed automatic transmission,
power windows and locks, power outside mirrors,
cruise, tilt steering, intermittent windshield
wipers, AM/FM 6-speaker cassette or CD player,
limited-slip differential, power moon roof,
hatchgate mounted spare, fog-lights,
keyless-remote entry/alarm, and choice of steel
or aluminum wheels.
The Isuzu Rodeo is covered at no
additional cost, by one of the most comprehensive
warranties available: 36 month/50,000-mile
limited, bumper-to-bumper, 60-montht60,000-mile
limited powertrain and 72-monW100,000-mile rust
perforation warranty. The warranty also includes
a 24-hour/365 days-a-year, 60-month/60,000-mile
roadside assistance program. |
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