| Isuzu Piazza | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Isuzu |
| Production | 1981–1993 |
| Assembly | Kawasaki Plant,Kawasaki, Kanagawa,Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Isuzu 117 Coupé |
TheIsuzu Piazza is a small, sporty 3-doorliftbackcoupé which was manufactured byIsuzu from 1981 until 1992 in two generations. The Isuzu Piazza was marketed as theIsuzu Impulse inNorth America and as theHolden Piazza inAustralia.
The first generation Piazza was arear-wheel drive car, and in theUnited Kingdom it was the first widely available Isuzu passenger car. The second generation was available asfront-wheel drive orall-wheel drive. It was the basis for the lower-priced Gemini Coupé, known as theGeo Storm in the US market.
As of 2010, the number of registered Impulses in North America totaled only 2,300, making Impulses very rare.[1]
| First generation (JR120/130) | |
|---|---|
 1988 Isuzu Piazza XE Handling by Lotus (JDM) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Isuzu Impulse (North America) Holden Piazza (Australia) |
| Production | 1980–1990 |
| Designer | Giorgetto Giugiaro atItaldesign |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-doorliftback coupé |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | Isuzu Gemini |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,440 mm (96.1 in) |
| Length |
|
| Width | Base: 1,655 mm (65.2 in) |
| Height | 1,300 mm (51 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Holden Calibra (Australia) |
In 1978, Isuzu commissionedGiorgetto Giugiaro to design a new sporty car to replace the117 Coupe (also a Giugiaro design).[2] They delivered severalT SeriesChevettes (developed in 1973 in South America) to theItaldesign studio inItaly and allowed Giugiaro free rein over the design. The result of this effort was the wedge-shaped three-door hatchback called theAsso di Fiori ("Ace of Clubs") prototype and show car. It was shown at the1979 Tokyo Motor Show to rave reviews. Giugiaro referred to the design as his fifth "Copernican revolution", integrating the design innovations of many different previous designs into one, mass producible, vehicle.[3] Within 48 hours of its unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show, Isuzu fast tracked the vehicle into production with minimal changes to the design.[4][5] Items that remained were the single blade front windshield wiper, and an integrated steering wheel adjustment that also moved the instrument cluster, with wiper controls and exterior lighting controls installed just behind the steering wheel on either side, a feature that later appeared on theFord Probe.
The first Piazza rolled off the production line in September 1980[6] inFujisawa,Japan, available with either 120 PS (88 kW), 120 lb⋅ft (163 N⋅m) 2.0 LSOHCinline-fourMPFI engine, a carryover from theIsuzu 117 Coupé, or a 135 PS (99 kW), 123 lb⋅ft (167 N⋅m) 2.0 LDOHC MPFI I4 engine. Five-speedmanual and 4-speedautomatic transmissions were available, and all models were rear-wheel drive. In April 1984, a 180 PS (132 kW), 185 lb⋅ft (251 N⋅m) turbocharged SOHC I4 engine was introduced, and the DOHC naturally aspirated engine was phased out in years that followed. Piazzas were available in a multitude of trim levels including Bella, XN, XJ, XE, XG, Nero, and others. There were three different suspension tuning levels, standard,Irmscher, andLotus.[7] Production continued through 1990.[6]
For the US market, this vehicle was introduced as the Impulse in 1983. For the 1983 and 1984 model years, only one engine was available, the 2.0 L SOHC inline-four engine, rated at 90 hp (67 kW), 108 lb⋅ft (146 N⋅m). AMPFIturbocharged model was introduced in 1985, with a 2.0 L SOHC engine rated at 140 hp (104 kW) and 166 lb⋅ft (225 N⋅m). The 1987 model year had the RS model which came with a 4ZC1turbo engine. The 1988 model year saw several changes. Mild exterior and interior changes were made to the appearance of the vehicle (including a larger rear spoiler and fixed headlights without pop up covers).
The 2.0 L non-turbo engine was replaced with a 2.3-liter version, rated at 110 hp (82 kW) and 127 lb⋅ft (172 N⋅m) of torque. The 2.3 L engine was offered only in the US market, because the larger engine would have obligated Japanese consumers to pay more annualroad tax, thereby affecting sales, as well as the larger engine conflicted withJapanese government regulations concerning maximum displacement for cars classified as "compact". All Impulses received a Lotus-tuned suspension beginning in the 1988 model year, which consisted of redesignedsway bars, stifferdampers, and a change in previous spring rates.[8]
In the US market, the Impulse was marketed as "everything standard", meaning that all Impulses came with all available equipment for the vehicle's model year, and only two trim levels offered: non-turbo and Turbo. There were, however, some special edition models, most notably the RS model of the 1987 model year, available only in white body color withpewter color trim, and featuring the stiffest suspension available on any Impulse, very close to the Irmscher suspension sold only in Japan. For the 1989 model year, a Special Edition non-turbo model was offered which was equipped with the Turbo model wheels and interior trim.
Performance of the Turbo model was comparable to theMitsubishi Starion/Dodge Conquest, as demonstrated by the fact that the acceleration and handling numbers reported by the auto enthusiast magazines were within 0.1–0.2 seconds between the vehicles.[9]
In the UK, the Piazza was introduced in 1985 and sold in only one trim level, available only with a 147 bhp 2.0 turbocharged engine(4ZC1-T).
The Piazza had a shaky start in the UK with the first importer Isuzu GB, based in Maidstone, Kent going out of business in 1986, and London car dealer Alan Day bought the remaining stock of Piazzas at a bargain price. These cars were sold by Alan Day at significantly reduced price; the main reason Isuzu GB went out of business was due to high unit price. In 1987 International Motors Group of West Bromwich (IM Group) were awarded the official Isuzu franchise for the UK. (They also at the time representedSubaru andHyundai in the UK.) IM Group still marketed the Piazza in single trim/engine form, but they only sold the updated 'Lotus' Piazza. The earlier cars sold by Day became known as 'pre-Lotus' cars; the suspension and handling of these pre-Lotus cars was derided by UK Press as poor, especially thelive axle arrangement at the rear, which by the late '80s was seen to be antiquated. The updated 'Handling by Lotus' car was available from 1987 and the handling, although keeping the live axle arrangement, was transformed by Lotus in the UK after significant development work, involving modified suspension layouts, larger brakes, specially produced dampers andGoodyear tyres. The 'Handling by Lotus' cars had updated interior and exterior equipment. The exterior having a redesigned rear, with a large 'hoop' spoiler, new rear lamps, new rear badging with 'Handling by Lotus' badges and removal of the rubber side bumper strakes for a cleaner, more modern look. The updated interior trim was mainly 'tweed' check fabric, an updated centre console, but the loss of air conditioning to keep the price down for the UK market.
Isuzu (UK) Ltd, the West Bromwich-based importer, sold the Lotus Piazza from 1987 to 1989, before concentrating on the 4WDIsuzu Trooper. They never sold the second generation Piazza in the UK, or in any other European market.
InAustralia, the Piazza was introduced very late (April 1986), and offered only in Turbo form.[10] It was badged as a Holden Piazza.[11] The first generation Piazza was replaced by theOpel Vectra-basedHolden Calibra in Australia.
| Second generation (JT22) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Asüna Sunfire (Canada) Isuzu Impulse (North America) |
| Production | 1990–1993 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-doorliftback coupé 3-doorstation wagon |
| Layout | Front engine,front-wheel drive /four-wheel drive |
| Related | Isuzu Gemini/Stylus Geo Storm Isuzu PA Nero |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L4XE1DOHCI4 (US, Canada only) 1.6 L4XE1Wturbo DOHC I4 1.8 L4XF1 DOHC I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,451 mm (96.5 in) |
| Length | Base: 4,168 mm (164.1 in) 4,216 mm (166.0 in) |
| Width | 1,694 mm (66.7 in) |
| Height | Base: 1,313 mm (51.7 in) 1,298 mm (51.1 in) |
The second generation Piazza/Impulse was designed on General Motors's second generation R-body "world car" platform. GM had commissioned Isuzu to build a replacement for theSpectrum, this time including a sportier model called theStorm (Gemini Coupé in Japan). The body design of the Storm was strongly influenced by GM and drew heavily fromGM Europe's design submission for theLotus Elan M100.[12][13] UnderShiro Nakamura,[14] Isuzu's then head of design, the third generation Geminisedan was first designed on this platform, and then attention was turned to a sporty coupé to replace the first generation Impulse. Starting with the Storm, alternative front and rear treatments were made, retaining the "capsule" theme of the Gemini sedan, and drawing heavy influence from the rear-wheel drive Impulse (semi-concealed headlights with integrated grille as well as hood and taillight styling) while also expanding on the "European look", which later became a central point of marketing the vehicle in Japan.
In the United States, the three-door hatchback debuted as the Impulse XS in 1989 for the 1990 model year. It was offered only in front-wheel drive with a DOHC 1.6 L (1588 cc) inline-four engine which produced 130 hp (97 kW) and 102 lb·ft (138 Nm). The suspension consisted ofMacPherson struts both front and rear, with a rigid trailing arm front suspension and amulti-link rear suspension, featuring Nishiboricpassive steering. Because of labor shortages in Japan, however, the car was only ready for press introductions in March 1990 and went on sale shortly thereafter.[15]
For the 1991 model year, the Impulse RS was introduced with a 160 hp (119 kW) and 150 lb·ft (203 Nm) turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive drivetrain which featured rear viscous differential and center planetary differential and viscous coupling. The wagonback model was also introduced for the 1991 model year, only available with the normally aspirated 1.6 L engine.
For the 1992 model year, the Turbo model was discontinued and the base engine was replaced with a 1.8 L (1809 cc) engine, sharing the same bore but with a longer stroke due to the taller engine block. This larger powerplant was good for 140 hp (104 kW) and 125 lb·ft (169 Nm).[16] Both body styles continued into 1992, but very few were produced.
The second generation Impulse was produced in very low numbers, totaling slightly over 13,000 units, with that number including the production of theIsuzu Stylus. General Motors, who owned nearly half of Isuzu, also ownedLotus Cars at the time. Lotus selected the 1.6-litre engine and transmission from the Isuzu Gemini for theLotus Elan M100 and a following generation of that engine eventually ended up in the Impulse. Lotus was subcontracted by Isuzu to fine-tune the suspension of the Impulse, through selection of stiffer dampers, larger sway bars, and softer springs. All of the second generation Impulses had the Lotus-tuned suspension.
A non-Lotus innovation in the Impulse was the development of the Nishiboric passiverear-wheel steering system which adjusted the toe of the rear wheels by changing the rear wheel alignment through the range of suspension travel.
The combination of the burst of theJapanese economic bubble, risingemissions andcrash safety requirements, and continued restrictive market segment changes by General Motors forced Isuzu out of the car making market and brought an end to the Impulse.
In the Japanese market, this vehicle was sold as the Piazza from July 1991 through the spring of 1992. The second generation Piazza was offered only in front-wheel drive with the 1.8 L engine. All of the second generation Piazzas came with the Lotus-tuned suspension. The Japanese were also offered theGeo Storm version of the Piazza, called the Piazza PA-Nero. This model was exclusive to the Japanese import dealership networkYanase Co., Ltd., under a special arrangement that sold GM products in Japan.
InCanada, the same models, with minor variations, were sold in the 1990 and 1991 model years. No Impulses were made for Canada for the 1992 model year. In 1993 the 1.8 L model was sold in Canada as theAsüna Sunfire, but only with thehatchback body.[16] With the phaseout of the Asüna brand in 1993, the Sunfire name moved to aPontiac, asits version of the third-generationChevrolet Cavalier on theGM J platform rather than an Isuzu platform.
