Isuzu Amigo Wins Stiff Texas Auto Writers Competition
25 January 1999
Isuzu Amigo Wins Stiff Texas Auto Writers Competition; the Versatile Sports-Ute Also Debuts at Baja 1000
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Isuzu will receive the award at the Houston International Auto
Show, Jan. 22. More trucks, sport utility vehicles, and
all-wheel-drive specialty vehicles participated than ever before --
and the competition was stiff. The largest assembly to date of
automobile writers from around the state judged the event.
"We drove all of them hard both on-road and off," said Roger
Gray, president, TAWA. "We scored them in a variety of categories and
under a variety of circumstances.
"The narrowness of all the winners' margins just goes to prove
the quality of the vehicles one has to choose from in the American
marketplace. In short, there was nothing we drove that wouldn't make
us happy with our choice."
The Amigo won first place, nosing out the Jeep Wrangler and six
other small SUVs, which were rated for exterior styling, interior
comfort and convenience, drivetrain, on-road driving, off-road
driving, versatility, and value. The Amigo stood out in all
categories.
The 1998 Amigo Soft Top was also honored in the annual rugged
Mexican off-road race, the Baja 1000. Bob Land, with Bob Land Racing,
entered a standard Amigo in the Stock Small Truck Class. (No
modifications were allowed in this class with the exception of safety
equipment, including roll cage, fuel cell, and five-point driver and
co-driver seat-belt system.)
Supported by Quaker State Oil, BF Goodrich Tires, IPF Lights and
Dura Last Batteries, the Amigo Soft Top placed first in class in the
1,070-mile off-road classic event down the Baja California peninsula.