Isuzu Aska
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| Isuzu Aska | |
| Manufacturer: | Isuzu |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1983–2002 |
| Predecessor: | Isuzu Florian |
| Class: | Mid-size |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan |
| Similar: | Mitsubishi Galant Toyota Corona |
The Isuzu Aska was a nameplate used by Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan to denote their mid-size sedans from 1983 to 2002. Originally, the Aska was a version of GM's J-car produced by Isuzu, but later, after Isuzu pulled out of manufacturing passenger cars, the nameplate was applied to rebadged Subaru Legacies (1990 to 1994) and Honda Accords (1994 to 2002) sold through Isuzu's Japanese distribution network.
The Aska replaced the Isuzu Florian in Isuzu's lineup and was discontinued in 2002 without a replacement, as Isuzu withdrew from the passenger car business completely.
Contents |
[edit] First generation (1983–1989)
| First generation | |
| Also called: | Chevrolet Aska Holden Camira JJ Isuzu Florian Aska Isuzu JJ |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1983–1989 |
| Layout: | FF |
| Platform: | GM J platform |
| Engine: | 1.8 L JJ110 I4 2.0 L JJ120 I4 2.0 L turbo SOHC I4 2.0 L JJ510 diesel I4 |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 5-speed NAVi5 automatic |
| Related: | Chevrolet Cavalier Holden Camira Opel Ascona C Vauxhall Cavalier |
The original Aska was developed as a part of GM's J-car program and was a welcome replacement for Isuzu's sorely dated Florian. Contrary to fellow J-cars from other GM divisions, the Aska only came in one body style, a 4-door sedan (the station wagon body style on the Florian proved to be relatively unpopular and was discontinued back in the early 1970s). 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 in 1985 as the "Aska".
The car was launched in March 1983 with 1.8 and 2.0 L gasoline engines and a diesel. In 1985, a turbocharged version of the 2.0 L engine, which developed 150 PS, joined the lineup. Branded by the German tuner Irmscher (specializing in GM cars and cooperated with Isuzu on some other models too), this version featured a distinictive body kit and became somewhat of a cult object among some car fans in Japan.
The Aska was exported to southeast Asia, where it was known as the Isuzu JJ, and to New Zealand as the Holden Camira (JJ) between 1984 and 1987, in lieu of the JD Camira, manufactured in Australia, due to the fact that the previous Australian-sourced JB Camira fared badly in the New Zealand market (nonetheless, the JD wagon was imported concurrently from Australia).
The Aska was also assembled in Arica, Chile from CKD kits from 1984 and sold as Chevrolet Aska in the domestic market and in Ecuador. In Chile the Cavalier was not marketed; nor was the similar Chevrolet Monza saloon which was sold in Brazil.
The first generation Aska was discontinued in 1989; production totaled 108,512 cars.
[edit] Second generation (1990–1994)
| Second generation | |
| Also called: | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1990–1994 |
| Layout: | FF AWD |
| Engine: | 1.8 L EJ18 Flat-4 2.0 L EJ20 Flat-4 2.2 L EJ22 Flat-4 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
With the exception of the American market, the J platform did not continue into the 1990s. Not having resources to develop a mid-size car on their own, Isuzu forged a short-lived alliance with Subaru. This provided for Isuzu to supply Subaru with Isuzu Bighorns (rebadged as the Subaru Bighorn), while Isuzu rebadged Subaru's mid-size Legacy sedan as the Isuzu Aska. Both rebadged models were sold only in the Japanese market.
[edit] Third (1994–1997) and Fourth (1998–2002) generation
| Third generation | |
| Also called: | Honda Accord |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1994–1997 |
| Layout: | FF |
| Engine: | 1.8 L F18B I4 2.2 L F22B1 I4 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Fourth generation | |
| Also called: | Honda Accord |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1998–2002 |
Later, Isuzu entered a more substantial model-exchange alliance with Honda. Among other models (Isuzu Gemini/Honda Domani, Isuzu Bighorn/Honda Horizon/Acura SLX, Isuzu MU Wizard/Honda Jazz, Isuzu Rodeo/Passport and Isuzu Oasis/Honda Odyssey) it encompassed the rebadging of the Honda Accord sedan as the Isuzu Aska. This lasted for two generations - 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.
