Isuzu Panther


The Isuzu Panther is a line of multi-purpose vehicle and pickup truck manufactured since 1991 by Isuzu and developed in Indonesia for the Southeast Asian market. The second generation Panther was also manufactured and marketed in India under the name Chevrolet Tavera, a name which is also used in Indonesia for the gasoline version until 2007. It was developed together with General Motors as the "160 Project".
The model is suited to carrying large loads of passengers or cargo. It was developed to meet local conditions in terms of climate, roads and family structure as a durable vehicle. The Panther is also popular in the Philippines as Hi-Lander, later the Crosswind. It was also known as the Hi-Lander in Vietnam.

Engine

The C223 diesel engine is a 4-cylinder,, OHV, 8-valve engine. This engine produces at 4,300 rpm and of torque at 2,200 rpm.
The 4JA1 diesel engine is a 4-cylinder,, OHV, 8-valve engine. The engine has a bore and stroke. This engine produces at 3,900 rpm and of torque at 1,800 rpm. The turbocharged variant, the 4JA1-L engine, was introduced with the second generation Panther Touring variant in 2001. This engine produces at 3,500 rpm and of torque at 1,800 rpm.

First generation (TBR52, TBR54; 1991)

The first generation Panther was introduced in 1991 as a pickup truck and a coachbuilder-made station wagon in short wheelbase and long wheelbase with the 2.3 L C223 diesel engine. The differences between short wheelbase and long wheelbase are 200 mm in length. The Isuzu Total Assy station wagon version, which is assembled by PT Pulogadung Pawitra Laksana in Sunter, North Jakarta, was introduced in 1993, and it is available in Standard, Deluxe, Grand Deluxe, Royal Hi-GLX and Hi Grade trim levels. In 1996, the first generation Panther received a restyled headlamps, redesigned front grille and the 2.5 L Direct Injection 4JA1 diesel engine, and the station wagon version is available in New Super, Deluxe, Royale, Grand Royale, Sporty, Hi Sporty and Hi Grade trim levels. The Sporty and Hi Sporty trims have sporty body kit and two-tone exterior color option. The Hi Sporty and Hi Grade trims have higher ground clearance. In 1999, the Royale and Grand Royale trims were both replaced with the New Royale trim. After the second generation Panther station wagon was introduced, the first generation Panther pickup truck continued to be produced and sold until present. The first generation Panther pickup truck is available in Standard, Flat Deck and GD 3-Way. The front grille of the first generation Panther pickup truck was facelifted twice, in 2005 and 2009. The headlights were then changed into the crystal multireflector headlights. The first generation Panther pickup truck was rebranded as the Isuzu Pickup and has been given a turbocharger to meet Euro 2 emission standards. The front grille of the facelifted 2009 Isuzu Pickup is similar to the second facelift second generation Panther station wagon.

Gallery

Second generation (TBR541; 2000)

The second generation Panther was introduced on September 6, 2000 at the 10th Gaikindo Auto Expo with the completely rounded, aerodynamic shape of the 21st century. The car is loosely based on the Isuzu MU, and shared the same dashboard design as the Isuzu VehiCROSS. and It is only available in station wagon version with the same 2.5 L Direct Injection 4JA1 diesel engine as the first generation, and featured the crystal multireflector headlights for the first time.
It is available in short wheelbase, which is available in the base SM, the mid-level SV and Hi Grade SS trim levels, and long wheelbase, which is available in the base LM, the mid-level LV and Hi Grade LS trim levels. The long wheelbase variant is 200 mm longer than the short wheelbase variant. For the first time, the automatic transmission variant is also offered for the LS trim with the 4JA1-L turbocharged diesel engine.
In 2001, the top-of-the-line Touring variant was introduced as a sport utility vehicle variant of the second generation Panther with the same turbocharged diesel engine as the automatic transmission variant of the LS trim, two-tone exterior colour with silver coloured body kit and front bumper guard, higher ground clearance, spare tyre attached on boot and four-spoke steering wheel. The redesigned taillights with crystal multireflector were introduced with the Touring variant and later also used on the LV and LS trims. In 2003, the second generation Panther has no longer used rubber seals and used compound sealant instead on both rear side and rear window, and also introduced the top-of-the-line Grand Touring variant which has a single exterior color instead of two-tone and without front bumper guard, and is positioned just above the Touring variant. Since then, the short wheelbase variant was discontinued. The Adventure variant which is based on the LV trim with body kit is also available. The manual transmission variant of the LS trim with a turbocharger is also available as well.

Facelift

The second generation Panther received its facelift in August 2004 with new headlights, redesigned front grille and bumper, redesigned wheels and black plastic trunk garnish with Panther emblem, and also introduced the base Smart trim, which replaced the LM trim. It is available in Smart, LV and LS trim levels, as well as Adventure, Touring and Grand Touring variants in long wheelbase only. The LS trim, Touring and Grand Touring variants received a redesigned four-spoke steering wheel. The front bumper guard on the Touring variant was removed. In early 2007, all variants have been given a turbocharger to meet Euro 2 emission standards. In late 2007, the interior color was changed from black to beige and the door trim was redesigned. Its exterior was refreshed twice, in 2009 and 2013. In early 2009, the front grille was refreshed and in late 2011, the taillights were refreshed. In 2013, the trunk garnish was redesigned exclusive to the LS trim, Touring and Grand Touring variants. The Touring and Grand Touring variants are no longer have the spare tyre mounted on the rear door. The Adventure variant was later discontinued due to low demand.

Gallery

Crosswind (Philippines)

In the Philippines, the Crosswind replaced the Hi-Lander in 2001, and was given a major redesign in early 2005 from the "Hi-Lander Crosswind" to just "Crosswind" as well as "Sportivo". Minor facelifts were given in 2007 and 2009 to the same format. It is powered by the 4JA-1 diesel engine with the option of an 81 hp normally aspirated version or an 85 hp low-pressure turbocharged version. It is also equipped with Isuzu‘s Flex Ride Suspension System. On August 31, 2012, the Sportivo X was introduced. It was discontinued in 2018 after it sold off its final units due to the Philippines' enforcement of rules for Euro IV emission standards by 2018.
The Crosswind for the Philippine market is available in:
The Panther was sold as the Chevrolet Tavera in Indonesia until 2005, and in India by American automaker Chevrolet until 2017 when General Motors abruptly exited the Indian market.
The name of the vehicle comes from the name of the small French village, Tavera, Corsica, known for its steep paths and whose CEO of Isuzu, Susumu Hosoi is used to test his vehicles. In India, this MUV's main competition includes such vehicles like the Toyota Innova, Mahindra Bolero, Tata Sumo, and similar vehicles. The Indian Tavera was built with knock-down kit sourced from Isuzu Indonesia.
In India, there are 2 versions of the Tavera, the original Tavera, the base model which includes the B1 and B2 trims, and the Tavera neo 2, the normal version which includes the LS-B3, the LS-B4, the LT-L and the high-end SS-D1. In 2006, because of Chevrolet's marketing of their Indian lineup as "an Indian revolution", the Tavera is now sold as two models. The original Tavera is still being sold; however more upmarket models in India are now sold as the "Tavera Neo 2". In September of the same year, the Indian Tavera got a facelift. The facelift included the front grille and revised interiors.
Later again in 2012, it received a facelift which includes revised front lights and bumpers and introduced as Tavera Neo 3. It featured a new engine option, a cleaner 2.0 L G-series diesel engine sourced from Sonalika to comply with Bharat Stage 4 emissions standard imposed in several metro cities in India. The new engine was marketed as TCDi engine and delivers more power, and is equipped with a variable-geometry turbocharger.
In Indonesia, Tavera served as a petrol version of Isuzu Panther, while the latter has only diesel engine. It is powered by a 2.2 L gasoline, & 180 N⋅m Australian-sourced Holden engine, which also used by Indonesian version of Opel/Chevrolet Blazer. It was discontinued in 2005 due to low demand.

2013 recall in India

In July 2013, General Motors recalled 114,000 Chevrolet Taveras in India, as the vehicle failed to meet local emission standards. GM India also were ordered to suspend the production of the Tavera until the issues were resolved.
Svenska Dagbladet reported that employees of General Motors had misled Indian authorities about the exhaust emission and fuel consumption by equipping vehicles to be tested with smaller and specially prepared engines to pass regulations. As a result of this, GM's powertrain division manager Sam Winegarden was fired, along with other employees. The report led to the Indian authorities starting an investigation into General Motors' practices.

Gallery