In April 2002, at the international exhibition of the automotive industry in New York, Isuzu presented to the general public a mid-size SUV called Ascender, which replaced three models in the model palette of the Japanese manufacturer at once - Trooper, Axiom and Rodeo. The commercial release of the car, which is a redesigned version of the GMC Envoy, was carried out at three plants of the General Motors concern in the USA and Canada, after which it left the assembly line without acquiring a follower.
"Ascendant" is a "player" in the segment of mid-size SUVs and meets with a regular or extended wheelbase (in the first case, the salon is five-seater, and in the second - seven-seater).
The length of the car is 4867-5273 mm, width - 1933 mm, height - 1892-1918 mm. The gap between the bridges of the "Japanese" is 2869-3277 mm, and the gap under its "belly" varies from 200 to 210 mm. Depending on the version, the curb five-door weighs 2050-2335 kg.
For the Isuzu Ascender, two gasoline atmospheric units with multipoint injection were available, each of which worked in conjunction with a 4-speed "automatic" and rear or plug-in all-wheel drive with a range.
- The first is a 4.2-liter inline-six with a capacity of 279 horses at 6000 rpm and 373 Nm of torque at 3600 rpm.
- The second is a 5.3-liter engine with eight V-shaped "pots", developing 304 "stallions" at 5200 rpm and 447 Nm of maximum torque at 4000 rpm.
The "Ascendant" is based on the "GMT 360" platform with a frame structure and a power plant longitudinally oriented in the front part. At the front, the car is equipped with an independent torsion bar suspension with double wishbones, and at the rear with a continuous axle attached by means of springs.
Steering at a five-door rack and pinion structure with a built-in hydraulic booster, and disc brakes on four wheels with ABS.
The arsenal of Isuzu Ascender includes such advantages as: pleasant appearance, spacious interior, reliable design, powerful engines, good dynamics, low cost of spare parts, rich equipment, excellent cross-country ability and much more.
The SUV is not devoid of shortcomings, which include: fuel "gluttony", the need to order spare parts from abroad and cheap finishing materials.
