Isuzu Impulse

The Isuzu Impulse was a small sporty 3-door hatchback sold from 1983 through 1992. The Impulse was originally a rear wheel drive car, but it made the switch to front wheel drive with the 1989 introduction of the second-generation Impulse. The second-generation Impulse was the basis for the more successful American Geo Storm, and the engine of the second-generation was shared with the modern Lotus Elan. The Impulse was also known as the Isuzu Piazza outside of the US, and badged as the Holden Piazza in Australia.

1983

The first Impulse was a 3-door hatchback based upon General Motors' T platform. Debuting in 1982 for the 1983 model year, the Giugiaro-designed hatchback used either a 110hp (82kW) 127ft.lbf (172Nm) 2.3L (2254cc) I4 or a 2.0L (1975cm³) turbo engine which produced 140hp (104kW) and 133ft.lbf (180Nm). 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions were available. The Impulse also received a special suspension tuned by Lotus for model years 1988 and 1992.

1990

The second-generation Impulse debuted in 1989 for the 1990 model year. It was a 2+2 design with semi-concealed headlights and was available with front wheel drive or all wheel drive with center and rear viscous differentials. The suspension was all-independent with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link system in back. The Impulse used a DOHC 1.6L (1588cm³) I4 engine which produced 130hp (97kW) or, in turbo form, 160hp (119kW). Since the Impulse weighed just 2411lb (1094kg) in front wheel drive configuration and 2732lb (1239kg) in all wheel drive configuration, the turbo engine and all wheel drive combined gave excellent performance.

General Motors, who owned nearly half of Isuzu, also owned Lotus Cars at the time. The Lotus Elan got the Impulse's engine, and in exchange, the Impulse got Lotus suspension tuning. This included a passive rear wheel steering system which adjusted the toe of the rear wheels with a clever bushing compression design.

The base 1.6L engine was replaced with a stroked (by 11mm to 90mm) 1.8L (1794cm³) version in 1992. This larger powerplant was good for 140hp (104kW) and 125ft.lbf (169Nm). Sales remained poor, and the company dropped the model in 1992. The Impulse was also sold as the Geo Storm from 1990 to 1993.