Isuzu India will be launching an automatic variant of the MU-7 SUV. The 7-seater MU-7 currently comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, which is paired to a 3.0-litre four-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine. This engine develops out 163 PS of power at 3600 rpm and 360 Nm of torque between 1800-2800 rpm, and it’s likely that Isuzu India will plonk the same unit under the vast bonnet of the upcoming automatic variant.
Other mechanical bits such as the suspension, brakes, and tyres will possibly remain the same as found on the manual variant. Despite its enormous size, Isuzu India still hasn’t equipped the manual MU-7 with a four-wheel drive system. It isn’t confirmed yet if the Japanese carmaker will provide a 4WD system on the upcoming automatic variant of this body-on-frame SUV.
Buyers opting for the “Hi-Pack” get features such as a 2-DIN Audio DVD system with Touch screen, Bluetooth, USB and Aux-in, rear-view camera, remote keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, rooftop display unit, leather upholstery, side step and chrome exhaust finisher. On the safety side of things, The Isuzu MU-7 gets ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and dual front airbags. Isuzu India currently offers the MU-7 in BS-III and BS-IV guises, of which, the greener version starts off at appx. INR 22 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). We reckon the automatic variant to cost around 1 lakh rupees more.
The exact date of launch of the automatic variant of the Isuzu MU-7 is yet to be announced. However, keep an eye on this space for further developments regarding the upcoming MU-7 automatic.