Isuzu has chosen the London Motor Show to unveil its improved Trooper - with the emphasis very much on comfort.

On sale late December this year, the revised range of short and long-wheelbase 4x4s is headed by a new luxury model called Insignia, while a new three-speed with overdrive automatic gearbox becomes available for the first time on Diesel Turbo Duty and Citation models.

Thoroughly revised in 1998, the Trooper�s new 3.0-litre DOHC turbo diesel engine remains the most powerful in its class at 158bhp and 246lb.ft of pulling power.

It was the first common-rail direct-injection diesel introduced in the UK and combines performance, throttle response and driveability with top-class economy and refinement. For example, top speed on the manual is almost 100mph with 32.5mpg available on the Extra Urban cycle.

Both it and the new 3.5-litre 112mph V6 DOHC can tow a braked trailer up to 3,300 kg. Prices will be announced after the London Motor Show.

New Luxury Insignia
Ranking above the popular Citation in the revised model line-up, Insignia is available in long-wheelbase form with both turbo diesel and V6 petrol engines and with either manual or automatic transmission.

Insignia is instantly distinguished from other models thanks to its 12-spoke polished alloy wheels. It shares a new colour range which includes bumpers, wheelarch mouldings and the lower body painted in 'Moonmist Grey Mica'.

Standard Insignia equipment includes grey leather-covered seats, climate-control air-conditioning, sun-roof, heated, electrically-adjustable front seats, four-changer CD player and cargo security cover.

Exclusive to Insignia turbo diesel and V6 petrol automatic models is a sophisticated new 'Torque-On-Demand' 4x4 system. This provides the benefits of both 2WD and 4WD by sensing road conditions and adjusting the torque being fed to each axle.

For example, in normal driving the Insignia automatic will run 100 per cent rear-wheel drive, saving fuel and driveline friction. However, as soon as the system senses wheel slip it will adjust up to a 50/50 torque split between front and rear axles.

This, coupled to a limited-slip rear differential and four-wheel, anti-lock brakes, ensures consistent and safe all-weather traction and braking stability.

Torque-On-Demand uses a multi-plate transfer clutch fed by sensors on the brakes and throttle. It is selected by a fascia-mounted switch and operates in high ratio only. When low ratio is selected - again by a fascia-switch, TOD is de-activated and the vehicle benefits from a fixed 50/50 torque split with a locked centre differential.

The new Trooper Insignia will cost the same on-the-road for both the 3.0 Diesel DOHC Turbo and 3.5 V6 DOHC manual, with the extra-cost automatic versions also being priced identically. The optional seven-seat version can not be ordered as a diesel automatic.

All other Troopers benefit from �Shift-On-The-Fly� - so called because selection of four or two-wheel drive can be made at speeds up to 62mph.

Fitted to both manual and automatic models, selection is via a convenient fascia-mounted on/off button which allows the choice of either normal rear-wheel drive (2H) or four-wheel drive (4H).

Like all genuine off-roaders, the Trooper also has a low-range transfer box which provides a selection of lower gears for towing manoeuvres or for difficult uphill or downhill exercises. Low-range - labelled 4L - is engaged by a floor-mounted lever next to the gear shift.

Already heavily revised in 1998, the 2000 Model Year Trooper receives further subtle visual changes. Changes in 1998 included more rounded contours for the front wings and bonnet and new headlamps which curve downwards towards a prominent new grille.

Now, the grille features two distinctive air intakes above and below a body-colour slat which carries the �Isuzu� script.

When the Trooper was facelifted in �98 it gained chunky, extended wheelarch mouldings which added 90mm to the overall width. Reprofiled bumpers also created a bolder, sportier stance.

Now the entire bumper/wheelarch arrangement is painted in Moonmist Grey Mica - a lighter colour than before which further emphasises the extended wheelarches. Moonmist Grey also covers the lower half of the body on Citation and Insignia models.

New contrasting body colours include: Alpine White, Dragon Green Mica, Foxfire Red Mica and Moonmist Grey Mica - the latter two colours being combined with Light Silver for the bumper/wheelarch mouldings.

Plush new velour trim is a feature of the entire new Trooper range. Standard and Duty models receive a deep-textured velour for the seats and door trim while the Citation has a marble-effect velour which is also soft-to-the-touch.

The Duty also has a new design of five-spoke alloy wheels. Improvements to the Citation include new climate-control air-conditioning as an upgrade to the previous manual system.

Sure to be in demand is the sophisticated new automatic transmission available on Diesel Turbo Duty, Citation and Insignia models.

Boasting its own set of optimised ratios compared to the petrol automatic, this new three-speed overide unit fully exploits the massive torque generated by the new common-rail diesel turbo engine.

Top gear pulls 28.4mph per 1000rpm yet throttle response is still eager. In addition, the Trooper diesel turbo automatic will change down to third gear on the overrun, providing useful engine braking.

This advanced, electronically-controlled system combines a high-efficiency torque-converter with fuel-saving lock-up clutch and a three-speed plus overdrive epicycle gearbox. This is linked to a two-speed transfer box, itself electronically controlled.

Trooper diesel turbo automatic fuel economy is an impressive 20.2/31.0 and 25.9mpg on the Urban/Extra Urban and Combined cycles - virtually identical to the manual�s 20.8/32.5 and 26.9mpg.

Supporting Isuzu�s commitment to quality is one of the best customer care protection packages available. It comprises a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty for the whole vehicle plus a 6 year anti-corrosion warranty for the body.

Owners are covered by three years� membership of Isuzu Assistance - a comprehensive home and roadside repair and recovery package valid throughout the UK and Europe and administered by Mondial Assistance.

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