Held at Le Pavilion along Roxas Boulevard last Monday, the launch was graced by Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) officials and the motoring media, who were also marking the annual Christmas fete of the car company.

The launch follows the introduction of the Alterra sport recreational vehicle earlier this year, which was warmly welcomed by the car-buying public for its "modernly aggressive styling, generous dimensions, superb fuel-efficiency, and comfortable ride."

The new Alterra however offers more than luxury and durability – it boasts the confidence of a "go-anywhere, do-anything nature of a fourwheel-drive vehicle."

Off-road driving becomes hassle-free with the Alterra 4x4’s features: Convenient Touch-On-The-Fly electronic transfer giving one-touch ease to the task of shifting from 4x2 to 4x4 configuration — on the move and without the need to bring the vehicle to a complete halt.

It is powered by the 4x2’s tried-and-tested 3.0-liter 16-valve DOHC 4JJ-1 I-TEQ diesel engine, which produces 146 ps of horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 30 kg-m of torque from 1,400 to 3,400 rpm.

Aside from boasting a 20 percent improvement in potency compared to common diesel engines, this third generation common-rail direct-injection diesel engine supplies an impressive 180 megapascals of pressure to its electronically controlled injection nozzles. This translates to a more efficient fuel combustion, which in turn results in better fuel economy and less harmful emissions.

Now, Isuzu customers can have the best of both worlds: the good looks and high-end refinement of a luxury passenger vehicle and the versatility and toughness of a four-wheel-drive sport recreational vehicle.

The Alterra 4x4 is also distinguished from the Alterra 4x2 by several aesthetic elements. While the radiator grille and the door handles on the 4x2 are body-colored, those on the 4x4 are already chromed. A 4WD logo sticker can also be found on the tailgate door.

The 4x4 model also inherits the 4x2 edition’s proven suspension combination of independent double wishbones with torsion bar springs and stabilizer bar in front, and Flex Ride MOVE (Mobility On Versatile Equilibrium) semi-elliptical leaf springs with telescopic shock absorbers at the rear. This means that although the Alterra 4x4 is better equipped to tackle rough terrain, it will still have the Alterra 4x2’s silk-like finesse on pavement.

Inside, the Alterra 4x4 boasts a state-of-the-art entertainment system that consists of a single-disc in-dash DVD/VCD/CD/MP3/WMA player with DTS and Dolby Digital Decoder, 5.1 Channel Digital Surround, and 10 speakers with a detachable subwoofer.

For safety and security, the Alterra 4x4 gets all the class-leading safety features of the 4x2, including dual front airbags, anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution, anti-theft immobilizer system, and back-up sensors.

Alterra 4x2 variants with new body colors were also launched during the event. The new colors available for the 2006 Alterra lineup are: Alpine White monotone and Sterling Silver monotone for both 4x2 and 4x4; Starry Black/Sterling Silver two-tone exclusive for the 4x4; and Crystal Blue/Sterling Silver and Imperial Blond/Sterling Silver two-tone paints, which are only available for the 4x2.

The Alterra 4x4 will exclusively be offered in four-speed automatic transmission. The Alpine White & Sterling Silver Monotone is priced at P1,589,000 while the Starry Black two-tone is at P1,599,000.