Radical Axiom a chance for Australia

THESE are the first official photos of the production-ready Isuzu Axiom, the mid-size four-wheel drive that got its name in an Internet competition. And it's on Holden's wishlist.

To be launched at the Los Angeles motor show in January and go on sale in the US in April, the Axiom is a 3.5-litre, V6, five-seat off-roader which will be assembled at the Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc. plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

The Holden Frontera is already sourced from the plant, which means right-hand drive production is a known quantity if not guaranteed.

"We're certainly looking at that," confirmed Isuzu-GM marketing manager Jeff Birdseye. "That would fill a niche between the current Frontera SE and Jackaroo.

"It's one of those brand image products you would like to have, because it's interesting above all - it has very modern styling and it's fashionable." In today's dollars, the Axiom would sit in the heart of 4WD action near $50,000, where serious off-roaders like LandRover' Discovery headbutt soft-roaders like Subaru's Outback. The earliest we would see it would be 2002.

"We're fairly keen on it but I'm not sure how far advanced the project is in terms of right-hand drive evaluation," said Mr Birdseye.

"There's only one model and it's pretty highly-specced, and it's only available in automatic to us.

"It's limited volume but it would be a nice niche product to have." The Axiom was first shown as the ZXS concept car at the Tokyo motor show in 1999. The car has retained much of its original look in translation to production vehicle.

The Axiom name came from an Internet competition conducted by Isuzu America, and was won by an entry from Turkey.

The Axiom's 3.5-litre, dual-overhead cam, 24-valve, V6 engine is based on the unit in the Jackaroo, but increases power output to 171Kw. It features an aluminum alloy cylinder block and heads, electronic sequential multi-point fuel injection, direct ignition system, variable intake, drive-by-wire electronic throttle and 32-bit PCM.

The Axiom rides on a separate chassis with suspension by independent front double-wishbones and torsion bar, while at the rear it is a five-link live axle with coil springs set-up.

The car has an "Intelligent Suspension Control" (ISC) with mode switch (comfort/sport). ISC incorporates a dedicated CPU that monitors inputs for terrain and continuously adjusts shock valving to provide superior ride and handling on the road and off.

It will come well equipped with 17-inch, six-spoke aluminium alloy wheels, premium sound system, automatic climate control and trip computer.

Another 4WD on the wishlist from the US is the Tahoe, a LandCruiser/Patrol competitor. That's pencilled in for 2003 when a right-hand drive version of the new generation model should be available ex-factory.