Isuzu Upgrades Pickup Engines for '07 Model Year

Isuzu Motors America Inc. says it will upgrade the engines in its ‘i’ compact pickup truck for the ’07 model year.

The 2.8L engine in the base ‘i’ will be replaced by a 2.9L 4-cyl., with horsepower increasing from 175 to 185, Isuzu says.

The i-290’s base S trim now will be available with an automatic transmission, as well.

The i-350 Crew Cab 4x4 will be known as the i-370, as it receives a 3.7L 5-cyl. engine making 242 hp, up from 220 hp in the ’06 model.

For the ’07 model year, Isuzu also adds a tire pressure monitoring system to the ‘i’ pickups and the Ascender SUV, as well as various appearance upgrades for the latter, it says.

Pricing for the pickup goes unchanged from ’06, Isuzu says, with the i-290 beginning at $16,989 and i-370 starting at $27,358.

Both models will begin production this month at General Motors Corp.’s Shreveport, LA, plant.