  We investigate the metal-insulator transition of the one-dimensional SU(N)
Hubbard model for repulsive interaction. Using the bosonization approach a Mott
transition in the charge sector at half-filling (k_F=\pi/Na_0) is conjectured
for N > 2. Expressions for the charge and spin velocities as well as for the
Luttinger liquid parameters and some correlation functions are given. The
theoretical predictions are compared with numerical results obtained with an
improved zero-temperature quantum Monte Carlo approach. The method used is a
generalized Green's function Monte Carlo scheme in which the stochastic time
evolution is partially integrated out. Very accurate results for the gaps,
velocities, and Luttinger liquid parameters as a function of the Coulomb
interaction U are given for the cases N=3 and N=4. Our results strongly support
the existence of a Mott-Hubbard transition at a {\it non-zero} value of the
Coulomb interaction. We find $U_c \sim 2.2$ for N=3 and $U_c \sim 2.8$ for N=4.
