Rare Car Archive

Makes › Isuzu Japan › VehiCROSS · Rare production · 1997–2001 Limited Production

Isuzu
VehiCROSS

Concept-derived SUV built with ceramic dies; low-volume production

Isuzu VehiCROSS (Wikimedia Commons: Isuzu VehiCross)
Isuzu VehiCROSS (Wikimedia Commons: Isuzu VehiCross)
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC0 1.0
5,958BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
5,958 Built
Years
1997–2001
Engine
Front-mounted V6 · 3,494 cc / 3.5 LFactory: 3,494 cc
Power
160 kW / 218 PSFactory: 215 hp · converted
Top speed
177 km/hFactory: 110 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Shiro Nakamura
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The VehiCROSS was a short two-door sport-utility that carried a production version of a 1993 Isuzu concept vehicle to market with little change. Isuzu used ceramic stamping dies to make the body panels, which allowed low tooling costs but limited the run. It combined a Trooper-based ladder-frame chassis with rally-style external-reservoir dampers.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityLimited Production 5,958 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productiontotal built (1,805 Japan, 4,153 USA) 5,9581 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Designer Shiro Nakamura based the VehiCROSS on the three-door Trooper chassis. MotorTrend reported in early 1999 that a small "Zip Team" of 15-20 people developed it in about half the normal time and that the production rate would be about 2,400 a year until the ceramic dies wore out. The price was announced at $28,900.

CarBuzz states that 5,958 VehiCROSS vehicles were made before the dies wore out.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard VehiCROSS.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutFront-mounted V62 Independently researched
Cylinders62 Independently researched
Displacement 3,494 cc / 3.5 LFactory: 3,494 cc2 Independently researched
Bore 93.4 mmFactory: 93.4 mm2 Independently researched
Stroke 85 mmFactory: 85 mm2 Independently researched
Compression ratio9.1:12 Independently researched
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder2 Independently researched
Fuel systemMultipoint electronic fuel injection2 Independently researched
Power 160 kW / 218 PSFactory: 215 hp · converted2 Independently researchedRating: SAE net
Power at 5,400 rpm2 Independently researched
Torque 312 NmFactory: 230 lb-ft · converted2 Independently researchedRating: SAE netCarBuzz gives a 3.2-litre V6 with 217 lb-ft; MotorTrend's road-test table is for the 3.5.
Torque at 3,000 rpm2 Independently researched
Redline 6,300 rpm2 Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxFour-speed automatic with Torque on Demand four-wheel drive2,3 Independently researched
Gears42 Independently researched
Final drive3.11:1 (axle ratio 4.30:1)2 Independently researched
Driven wheelsFour-wheel drive with low range3 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisLadder frame (Trooper-based)3 Independently researched
Front suspensionDouble wishbone, torsion bars, aluminium monotube shocks with external reservoirs, anti-roll bar2 Independently researched
Rear suspensionFour-link, coil springs, aluminium monotube shocks with external reservoirs, anti-roll bar2 Independently researched
BrakesVented discs front and rear, ABS2 Independently researched
SteeringRecirculating ball, power assist2 Independently researched
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,332 mmFactory: 2,332 mm2 Independently researched
Length 4,130 mmFactory: 4,130 mm2 Independently researched
Width 1,790 mmFactory: 1,790 mm2 Independently researched
Height 1,700 mmFactory: 1,700 mm2 Independently researched
Front track 1,515 mmFactory: 1,515 mm2 Independently researched
Rear track 1,520 mmFactory: 1,520 mm2 Independently researched
Kerb weight 1,794 kgFactory: 3,955 lb · converted2 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 177 km/hFactory: 110 mph · converted3 Independently researched
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 8.8 s3 Independently researched
Fuel tank 85.2 LFactory: 22.5 gal-us · converted2 Independently researched

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Isuzu VehiCROSS – Silodrome Level C
    • 5958 total built (1,805 Japan, 4,153 USA)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Isuzu VehiCross road test Level C MotorTrend · 1999-02-02
    • 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V-6
    • V-6
    • Displacement, ci/cc 213/3494
    • Bore x stroke 93.4x85.0
    • Compression ratio 9.1:1
    • DOHC, 4 valves/cyl.
    • Multipoint EFI
    • Horsepower 215 @ 5400
    • 215 @ 5400
    • Torque 230 @ 3000
    • 230 @ 3000
    • Redline, rpm 6300
    • Transmission type 4-speed automatic
    • 4-speed automatic
    • Axle ratio 4.30:1, final-drive ratio 3.11:1
    • Double wishbone, torsion bars, aluminum monotube shocks w/external reservoirs
    • four-link, coil springs, aluminum monotube shocks
    • Vented discs/vented discs, ABS
    • Recirculating ball, power assist
    • Wheelbase 91.8/2332
    • Length 162.6/4130
    • Width 70.5/1790
    • Height 66.9/1700
    • Track f/r 1515/1520
    • Base curb weight 3955
    • Fuel capacity 22.5 gal
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  3. 3
    Oddly styled racing SUV ahead of its time: Isuzu VehiCROSS Level C CarBuzz
    • BorgWarner's Torque on Demand (TOD) system
    • real hardcore 4WD drivetrain, with low-range transfer case
    • Trooper's tough ladder-frame chassis
    • Top speed 110 mph
    • 0-60 mph 8.8 seconds
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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