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| Isuzu Aska | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Isuzu |
| Production | 1983–2002 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Family car |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Isuzu Florian |
TheIsuzu Aska was a nameplate used byIsuzu of Japan to denote itsmid-sizesedans from 1983 to 2002. Originally the Aska was a version ofGeneral Motors'J-car produced by Isuzu, but after Isuzu pulled out of manufacturing passenger cars the nameplate was applied torebadged versions of theSubaru Legacy (1990 to 1993) andHonda Accord (1994 to 2002) sold through Isuzu's Japanese distribution network.
The Aska replaced theIsuzu Florian in Isuzu's lineup and was discontinued in 2002 without a replacement.
The name comes from theJapanese word, "Asuka", which is the old name of theAsuka Village in theNara Prefecture of Japan. Because the name "Asuka" is likely to be mispronounced in foreign countries, the "u" was taken away from the name, presenting the model as the "Aska".
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called |
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| Production | 1983–1989 |
| Assembly |
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| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM J platform |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
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The original Aska was developed as a part of GM'sJ-car program and was a replacement for Isuzu's datedFlorian. In contrast to fellow J-cars from other GM divisions, the Aska only came in one body style, a four-door sedan (thestation wagon body style on the Florian was always relatively unpopular). The Isuzu J-car variant differed most notably in the rear styling from other J-car variants. From 1983 to 1984, the Aska was known as the "Florian Aska", before being renamed simply "Aska" in 1985.[1]
The car was launched in March 1983 with carburetted 1.8 and 2.0 litre gasoline engines and adiesel, going on sale a month later. In August 1983 the Turbodiesel followed, with 89 PS (65 kW). In October 1983, aturbocharged and fuel injected version of the 2.0 litre engine, which developed 150 PS, joined the lineup as the LJ Turbo.[2] In November 1985 a version branded by the GermantunerIrmscher (specializing in Opels, they cooperated with Isuzu on some other models as well), this version featured a distinctive body kit and became somewhat of a cult object among some car fans in Japan.
In September 1984 the innovative (but ultimately unsuccessful)semi-automaticNAVi5 system became available for the naturally-aspirated Aska 2.0.[3] This was anautomated manual transmission with an electronically-operated clutch, long before Alfa Romeo'sSelespeed. In March 1985 the diesel also became available with the NAVi5 transmission, and from September 1986 the LG Turbodiesel was also available with it. The Aska underwent a very subtle facelift in July 1985, which was also when the "Florian" portion of the car's name was dropped.[3]
The first generation Aska was discontinued in March 1989; production totaled 108,512 cars. Isuzu did not have a contender in this segment for about a year's time until the second generation Aska was presented.
From 1984, the Aska was assembled inArica,Chile fromCKD kits and sold asChevrolet Aska in the Chilean domestic market and inEcuador. Chilean Askas came in three equipment levels (LT, Limited, and Deluxe), with two engines and either automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. While the two lesser versions both received a 91 PS (67 kW) 1.8-litre coupled to the five-speed, the Deluxe got the larger 2-litre with 100 PS (74 kW), only fitted with the automatic transmission.[4]
The Aska was exported toSoutheast Asia, where it was known as theIsuzu JJ.[5] It was also exported toNew Zealand as theHolden Camira (JJ) between 1984 and 1987.[6] This replaced the Australian-sourced JD Camira, because its predecessor, the JB Camira, had fared badly in the New Zealand market.[7] However, the JD series wagon was retained, albeit imported concurrently from Australia rather than locally assembled.[8]General Motors New Zealand switched back to the updated Australian version (JE) in 1987 due to the strengthening of Japanese Yen. InIndonesia, the two-liter version with 74 kW (101 PS) was briefly sold as the "Holden Aska" alongside the 1.6-liter Camira.[9]
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| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Subaru Legacy Isuzu Aska CX Isuzu Aska E/T/V |
| Production | 1990–1993 |
| Assembly | Japan:Ōta, Gunma (Subaru) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | FF (standard) AWD (optional on 2.0L) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.8 LEJ18H4 2.0 LEJ20 H4 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 4-speedautomatic |
With the exception of the American market, the J platform did not continue into the 1990s. Not having the resources to develop a mid-size car on their own, Isuzu forged a short-lived alliance withSubaru. This provided for Isuzu to supply Subaru withIsuzu Bighorns (rebadged as the Subaru Bighorn), while Isuzu rebadged Subaru's mid-sizeLegacy sedan as the Isuzu Aska, beginning in June 1990. Both rebadged models were sold only in the Japanese market.[10] There was also aSubaru Leone Van version briefly available, badged as theIsuzu Geminett II.
TheEJ series engine was offered in both 1.8 and 2.0 literdisplacements. The engine has either single or doubleoverhead camshaft architecture andpent-roof,cross flow cylinder firing chambers.
The 2.0 liter fuel delivery was managed withsequential multiport fuel injection, and the 1.8 liter engine used a modified fuel delivery system with single point throttle body fuel injection calledSPFI. The DOHC 2.0 liternon turbocharged engine had a dual stageintake manifold.
The 2.0 liter vehicle came optional with Subaru's AWD system while the 1.8 came with FWD only. As with all other Askas, this was only ever available with four-door saloon bodywork. The Aska was discontinued in May 1993, as the Subaru deal came to an end.
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Honda Accord |
| Production | 1994–1997 |
| Assembly | Japan:Sayama (Honda Sayama Automobile Plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan |
| Layout | FF |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 LF20B1I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 4-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4,675 mm (184.1 in) |
| Width | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) |
| Height | 1,410 mm (55.5 in) |
Later, Isuzu entered a more substantial model-exchange alliance withHonda. Among other models, it encompassed the rebadging of theHonda Accord sedan as the Isuzu Aska. This model was presented in March 1994, after stock of the Legacy-based, previous generation Aska had been sold out. The only difference to the Accord was the grille and logos.
It was only offered with a two-liter four-cylinder engine, combined with a four-speed automatic transmission. The model code assigned to it by Isuzu wasCJ1. Production came to an end in September 1997, with sales from stock continuing for another two months.
| Fourth generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Honda Accord Honda Torneo |
| Production | 1998–2002 |
| Assembly | Japan:Sayama (Honda Sayama Plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan |
| Layout | FF |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.8 LF18BI4 2.0 LF20B1 I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 4-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4,635 mm (182.5 in) |
| Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
| Height | 1,420 mm (55.9 in) |
Introduced in November 1997, this was the second generation of Accord-based Askas - thus the third generation Aska was the fifth generation Accord and the fourth was the sixth generation Accord sedan. The Aska remained a Japanese-only model and was discontinued in 2002. Model codes wereCJ2 for the 1.8 andCJ3 for the 2.0. The engines produce 140 and 150 PS (103 and 110 kW) respectively and both were available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The differences between this and the Accord were limited to the grille, logos, and wheels. One additional change was that the engine head cover had the Honda logo removed, with only "VTEC" remaining.
The fourth generation Aska received a light facelift in June 2000. This change included new bumpers, redesigned taillights, interior updates, and cleaner engines. Production ended in March 2002, with sales from stock continuing until September. This marked the end of Isuzu passenger car sales, 49 years after their first car was presented.
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