WTF is an Isuzu Impulse?

Jay · Sep 14, 2003

I dont know what an Isuzi Impulse is, but one started riding my bumper while i was doing about 110kmh today. I changed lanes, got beside him, dropped a gear and watched him dissapear in my rearveiw - but what the hell is it? It looked kinda like a geo storm or something.

DriftMe · Sep 14, 2003

They're apparantly turbocharged econo-cars

http://www.kipanderson.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Gallery;action=display;num=1058197812

dogstar · Sep 14, 2003

IIRC theyre 4AGE powered cars, kinda of an isuzu hotted up version of the geo storm which they also made.
some (RS?) came with a turbo and AWD.

some of them are fast too, ive heard rumors of a 12-13 second one kickin around my city, but havent seen it in person.

DriftMe · Sep 14, 2003

Yeah, the turbo ones would probably be quick with a T3, I think they came intercooled stock.

zank · Sep 14, 2003

Iv seen a couple of them around, some of them have a badge that says "handlings by Lotus" :? anyone know about that?

DriftMe · Sep 14, 2003

I never heard of Lotus engineers doing work for japanese manufacturers

Malibyte · Sep 14, 2003

I never heard of Lotus engineers doing work for japanese manufacturers

Uhh, as I recall, the MkII has some Lotus DNA (or vice-versa - some MkII design elements and parts incorporated in a mid-80s Lotus model). Don't remember the exact specifics but I'm sure someone here on the board does.

DriftMe · Sep 14, 2003

:? oh well

Speed Racer · Sep 14, 2003

DriftMe said:
:? oh well

Bob is right...the Mk2 Supra suspension was designed by Lotus. No "oh well" about it.

And I've seen the badging on the Isuzu Impulse as well...evidently Lotus had their hand in that too.

DriftMe · Sep 14, 2003

I wonder where exactly Lotus was involved in MKII design.

FWDsux · Sep 14, 2003

The Isuzu Impulse is a Geo Storm; FWD and boring. The Isuzu Impulse RS is AWD/Turbo'd. Pretty stealh little cars. There's one around here that has about 400 HP at like 40 psi or something crazy like that. I talked with the guy at a local auto-X.

85SilverWedge · Sep 14, 2003

DriftMe said:
They're apparantly turbocharged econo-cars

http://www.kipanderson.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Gallery;action=display;num=1058197812

Dude, not into Izusu's but it was worth it just to see the Britney spears Madonna kiss again! :jerkit: :boobs:

(sorry, couldn't help myself. I'll go back to my room.)

Junkie · Sep 14, 2003

Isusu Impulse is a RWD 2.0 turbo,from the mid 80's.Competed directly with the rest of the 4cyl GT type cars of the day.I got to drive a couple of them back in about 90-91,very fun/fast for what they were."at that time,I didn't drive ANY jap cars personaly".They handle very good,and with a little work,would smoke a stock or mildly modded mkII.

Dragonfyre · Sep 14, 2003

It's a macpherson strut, trailing arm rear with sad looking sway bars, woohoo, go lotus.. :roll:

Deanfun · Sep 14, 2003

the N/A FWD impulses came with a very, VERY neat little engine inside... considering their age and relatively econobox setting. 7600rpm redline, VERY VERY balanced engine. bitchy as hell when it comes to parts. The AWD Turbo models are very rare, most being found in rally circuits... the ones that are around are cared for very well. Suspension parts for these cars, particularly the rears, are worth their weight in gold due to rarity.

i prefer the look of the impulse hatchback, but i believe the US only saw a Geo Storm HB variant. same basic principle though.

WadeT · Sep 15, 2003

1. The Impulse shares no parts or platform with the Geo Storm.

2. Turbo Impulses were very well respected back in the 80s.

3. Lotus did "do" the suspension for the Impulse.

4. A stock turbo Impulse would creame a stock MKII in every performance catigory.

Deanfun · Sep 15, 2003

WadeT said:
1. The Impulse shares no parts or platform with the Geo Storm.

2. Turbo Impulses were very well respected back in the 80s.

3. Lotus did "do" the suspension for the Impulse.

4. A stock turbo Impulse would creame a stock MKII in every performance catigory.

what were you saying? no parts? no platform? http://www.robietherobot.com/storm/default.htm that looks pretty similar to me. in fact, i'd say aside form the front ends and the spoiler on the isuzu, they are the same damn car.

here's some more shocking proof:
http://www.coastnet.com/~kchin/isuzu/94_storm.html
http://geostormclub.freehosting.net/
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t41431.html (second reply)

82Spearco · Sep 15, 2003

My best friend's dad worked for GM while we were growing up. The only "foreign" car he ever own was a turbo/AWD Impulse. That car was a blast, until my buddy's sister decided that AWD meant she could drive it fast in the snow...she ended up hitting a guard rail on the highway, flipping the car, and totalling it.

WadeT · Sep 16, 2003

Okay, the second generation did share the same platform. I totaly forgot about that second gen. I keep aluding to the 1st gen and much better looking impulse. I don't think the 1st gen shares a platform with the Storm.

http://www.allhyundaiisuzuparts.com/new_arrivals/000455.html

Deanfun · Sep 16, 2003

WadeT said:
Okay, the second generation did share the same platform. I totaly forgot about that second gen. I keep aluding to the 1st gen and much better looking impulse. I don't think the 1st gen shares a platform with the Storm.

http://www.allhyundaiisuzuparts.com/new_arrivals/000455.html

i've never seen that car in my entire life, ever. cool.

WTF is an Isuzu Impulse?

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