A Sport-Utility Roadster?

A Sport-Utility Roadster? American Isuzu Motors--the company that boasts that it only builds trucks--hopes to create a new niche in the light-truck market with its VX-O2 concept vehicle. The all-wheel-drive, twin-seat version of the company’s hybrid VehiCross sport-utility vehicle features computer-controlled suspension that senses the terrain and adjusts itself accordingly. It also has a retractable hard top, like the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster, and is loaded with electronic goodies including plug-in interfaces for driver and passenger to link their hand-held computers to the on-board PC system. Although Cerritos-based American Isuzu says the VX-O2 (VX for VehiCross, O2 for oxygen--as in fresh air) is only a concept, product planning chief Steve Kerho says Isuzu can have a production model ready by next year. The O2 was unveiled Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show.