Automobilia

The Isuzu Impulse was a small sporty 3-door hatchback (though always classified as a coupé by Isuzu) sold from 1981 through to 1992. The first generation Impulse was a rear-wheel drive car, but the second generation was front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. more...

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The second-generation Impulse was based on the General Motors (GM) -influenced Gemini Coupe or Geo Storm as it was known in the US market, and the engine of the second-generation Impulse is the descendant of the Isuzu engine used in the modern Lotus Elan. The Impulse was also known as the Isuzu Piazza outside of the US, including in the UK where it was the first widely available Isuzu. In Australia it was badged the Holden Piazza, and sold by GM's Australian wing Holden.

1981-1989

In 1978, Isuzu commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to design a new sporty car to replace the 117 Coupe (also a Giugiaro design). They delivered several T Series Geminis to the Italdesign studio in Italy and allowed Giugiaro free reign of the design. The result of this effort was the wedge shaped three door hatchback called the Asso di Fiori ("Ace of Clubs") prototype and show car, that was shown at the 1979 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 producable, vehicle. Within 48 hours of its unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show, Isuzu fast tracked the vehicle into production with minimal changes to the design.

In late 1981, the first Isuzu Piazzas went on sale in Japan, available with either 120 hp, 120 ft·lbf 2.0 L SOHC I4 engine or a 135 hp, 123 ft·lbf 2.0 L DOHC I4 engine. 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions were available, and all models were rear-wheel drive. For the 1985 model year, a 180 hp, 185 ft·lbf 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, and Lotus.

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 I4 engine, rated at 90 hp, 108 ft·lbf. A turbocharged model was introduced in 1985, with a 2.0 L SOHC I4 engine rated at 140 hp and 166 ft·lbf. The 1988 model year saw several changes. Mild exterior and interior changes were made to the appearance of the vehicle (a larger rear spoiler, fixed headlights without pop up covers, etc.). The 2.0 L non-turbo engine was replaced with a 2.3 L SOHC I4 engine, rated at 110 hp, 127 ft·lbf (this engine was offered only in the US market). All Impulses received a Lotus-tuned suspension beginning in the 1988 model year, which consisted of redesigned sway bars, stiffer dampers, and a change in previous spring rates.

Read more at Wikipedia.org