Isuzu Piazza

Isuzu Piazza
Overview
Manufacturer	Isuzu Motors
Production	1981–92
Assembly	Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Sport compact
Body style	3-door hatchback coupé 3-door station wagon
Chronology
Predecessor	Isuzu 117 Coupé

First generation (JR120/130)
1988 Isuzu Piazza XE Handling by Lotus (JDM)
Overview
Also called	Isuzu Impulse (North America) Holden Piazza
Production	1980–1990
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro
Body and chassis
Layout	FR layout
Related	Isuzu Gemini
Powertrain
Engine	1949 cc G200Z I4 1949 cc G200WE DOHC I4 1994 cc 4ZC1-T turbo I4 2254 cc 4ZD1 I4 (US only)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed Aisin automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,440 mm (96.1 in)
Length	Base: 4,385 mm (172.6 in) US, turbo: 4,385 mm (172.6 in)
Width	Base: 1,655 mm (65.2 in) 1,669 mm (65.7 in)
Height	1,300 mm (51 in)
Chronology
Successor	Holden Calibra (Australia)

Second generation (JT22)
Overview
Also called	Isuzu Piazza Asüna Sunfire (Canada) Isuzu Impulse (North America)
Production	1990–1993
Body and chassis
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Isuzu Gemini/Stylus Geo Storm Isuzu PA Nero
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L 4XE1 DOHC I4 (US, Canada only) 1.6 L 4XE1W turbo DOHC I4 1.8 L 4XF1 DOHC I4
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)
Chronology
Successor	Pontiac Sunfire (for Asüna Sunfire, Canada) Chevrolet Cavalier coupe (United States) Chevrolet Cobalt SS (for USDM Impulse RS)

The Isuzu Piazza (also known as the Isuzu Impulse in the United States and the Holden Piazza in Australia) is a small, sporty 3-door liftback coupé that was manufactured by Isuzu from 1981 to 1992 in two generations. In Australia it was sold by Holden, the local division of Isuzu's parent company, General Motors (GM).

The first generation Impulse was a rear-wheel drive car, and in the United Kingdom it was the first widely available Isuzu passenger car. The second generation was available as front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It was the basis for the Gemini Coupe, or Geo Storm as it was known in the US market.

As of 2010, the number of registered Impulses totaled only 2,300, making Impulses very rare. The car was produced in very low numbers, totaling slightly over 13,000 units, with that number including the production of the Isuzu Stylus. The Impulse is considered today to be one of the rarest 80's/90's era automobiles.

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 Chevettes (developed in 1973 in South America) to the Italdesign studio in Italy and allowed Giugiaro free rein over 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. It 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 producible, 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. 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.