Hey look, its Hooniverse Fastback Friday. Yes, I am still referring back to this weeks podcast, in which each of the participants discussed the car or truck they would like to see brought back, and my choice was the first generation Isuzu Piazza, otherwise known as the Isuzu Impulse here in the US.


In 1978, Isuzu commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign to come up with a new sporty car to replace their 117 Coupe, which was also penned by the legendary designer. The company delivered several T Series South American Chevettes to the Italdesign studio in Italy and gave Giugiaro a free rein over the design. The result of this effort was the wedge-shaped, three-door hatchback called the Ace of Clubs. It made its debut at the 1979 Tokyo Motor Show, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Reports state that within 48 hours of its unveiling, Isuzu fast tracked the vehicle into production with minimal changes to the design.

For the USDM market, this vehicle was introduced as the Impulse in 1983 with only one engine made available during the first two years. It was the 2.0 L SOHC I4 engine, rated at 90 hp, and 108 lb·ft of torque. A turbocharged model was introduced for the 1985 model year rated at 140 hp and 166 lb·ft of torque. All Impulses came with virtually no options for each model year, and only two trim levels offered: non-turbo and Turbo. There were some special edition models, most notably the RS model of the 1987 model year. This model was available only in white body color with pewter color trim, and featuring the stiffest suspension available on any Impulse.

By the 1988 Model Year the Impulse saw several minor adjustments. 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 for the North American Market, rated at 110 hp, 127 ft·lb of torque. 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. The last production year for this version of the Impulse was 1989.

For the 1990 model year, the second generation Impulse was introduced. This version was designed on General Motors’ second generation R-body “world car” platform. GM had commissioned Isuzu to build a replacement for the Spectrum, this time a sportier model called the Storm (Gemini Coupe in Japan). The body design of the Storm was strongly influenced by GM and drew heavily from GM Europe’s design submission for the Lotus Elan M100.

Starting with the Storm, alternative front and rear treatments were made, retaining the lozenge 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”, whatever that means.

The three-door hatchback debuted as the Impulse XS for the 1990 model year. It was offered only in front-wheel drive with a DOHC 1.6L I4 engine which produced 130 hp. The suspension consisted of MacPherson struts both front and rear, with a rigid trailing arm front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. For 1991 the Impulse RS was introduced with a 160hp turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive which featured front and rear viscous differentials and center helical differential. The wagonback model was also introduced for the 1991 model year, only available with the normally-aspirated 1.6 L engine.

For 1992, the Turbo model was discontinued and the base engine was replaced with a 1.8L engine, and was good for 140hp and 125 ft·lb of torque. Both body styles continued into 1992, but very few were produced. In Canada, no Impulses were made for Canada for the 1992 model year. However, in 1993 the 1.8 L model was sold in Canada as the Asüna Sunfire, but only with the hatchback body, and quickly disappeared after only one year.

The question is this: Do you agree with me about reviving the Isuzu Piazza? It has everything that the Hoons here on Hooniverse crave; Turbo Power, smooth shifting stick, rear wheel drive, drop dead looks, hatchback body style, tunable performance, and of course, great commercials featuring Joe Isuzu. And what about the second generation Impulse? Uhhhh, not so much.