The Impulse was introduced in the US market with little change from the Ace Of
Clubs concept car. The addition of slightly larger bumpers to meet the 5 MPH
DOT requirement, shortening of the windshield and lengthening of the hood to
allow for easier installation of the engine on the assembly line, and enlarging
the overall dimensions a few inches to allow more interior space in anticipation
of sales in the US market being the only significant changes from the concept
car. The Japanese market equivalent, the Piazza, became available in 1981, but
crash testing and DOT certification delayed the vehicle's introduction in the US
by several years.
The 1983-84 models were all non-turbo 2.0 liter SOHC.
Outwardly, these models lack any rear spoiler or front air dam.
Distinguishing features of earlier model Impulses are the headlight eyebrows and
plastic inlaid tailgate garnish.
The standard 14x6 alloy wheel was the aluminum color tic-tac-toe style with twelve
inlaid squares with black accent, arranged similarly to a tic-tac-toe pattern.
1985
1985 Isuzu Impulse Turbo
In 1985, the turbo model was introduced with a totally different 2.0 liter,
turbocharged engine, with a totally new transmission, drive shaft, and five
link rear suspension.
Outwardly, the model is distinguished by the addition of a three piece, surface
mount, black, flexible, poly urethane spoiler on the rear hatch lid and a color
keyed urethane front air dam below the front bumper.
The word "TURBO" was added to the rear tailgate garnish and "TURBO INTERCOOLED"
decals were added to the rear corners of the hood just in front of the side
view mirrors.
The standard 14x6 alloy wheel for the turbo model is the aluminum color turbine
style wheel, with sixteen squarish inlays around the outer circumference of the
wheel and exposed lug nut holes with the Isuzu logo on a round, plastic center
cap in the middle of the lug holes.
1985 Isuzu Impulse Non-turbo
Changes beneath the skin to the electrical system are not evident in outward
appearance.
While the tic-tac-toe wheel remains standard, the turbine style wheel becomes
available on "High Grade" non-turbo models.
1986
1986 Isuzu Impulse Turbo
Mechanically unchanged from the 1985 model.
A third brake light is added to the rear spoiler on the rear deck lid.
The standard 14x6 alloy wheel becomes the aluminum color tri fin wheel with
distinct three inlaid square fins surrounded by twelve rectangular inlays
around the circumference and a hex shaped center cap.
1986 Isuzu Impulse Non-turbo
Mechanically unchanged, the three piece rear spoiler with third brake light
is added to the "High Grade" non-turbo model along with the turbine style
wheels.
1987
1987 Impulse and Turbo General Changes
Outwardly, the plastic inlaid tail gate garnish is dropped and replaced with
a smooth tailgate to be adorned with badging decals.
1987 Impulse Turbo
Mechanically unchanged from the 1986 model.
The "TURBO INTERCOOLER" decal at the rear edge of the hood is dropped.
1987 Isuzu Impulse Turbo RS Special Edition
The introduction of a "RS Special Edition" with stiffer suspension tuning.
It is easily distinguishable from all others before or after because they
were all white with silver painted bumpers and rear spoiler. Both the side
view mirrors and tri fin alloy wheels are color keyed white to match the
body color.
1987 Isuzu Impulse Non-turbo
Mechanically unchanged from the 1986 model.
The standard 14x6 alloy wheel is the aluminum color turbine style wheel.
1988
1988 Isuzu Impulse and Turbo General Changes
The Lotus Tuned Suspension is introduced for the 1988 model year with softer
springs and stiffer shocks (dampers). Sway bar sizes are revised and the
rear sway bar and attachments are redesigned.
Badges reading "Lotus Tuned Suspension" are placed on the front fenders or doors
and tail.
The headlights are redesigned using GM low profile quad lamps which do not
require eyebrows to expose the bulb for operation. The hood is smoothed by
eliminating the eyebrow cutouts and the two crease lines from the front center
to the rear corners. A power bulge is added over the intake manifold. The
grille is redesigned with one less horizontal strake and the emblem is changed
from the Isuzu logo to the "ISUZU" name.
The side view mirrors are color keyed to match the body color.
The tail lights are redesigned moving the yellow turn signal from the end to
the middle and the red marker lamp to the corner, eliminating the need for a
rear side marker lamp, which was eliminated.
A standard sunroof was added.
Tire size goes size one wider from 195-60-14 to 205-60-14.
1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo
A one piece, rigid plastic, high mount spoiler is added to the rear hatch lid
with a wide LED third brake light.
A color keyed side molding is added to the Turbo model.
A standard sunroof was added.
The standard 14x6 alloy wheel is the aluminum colored pentagon wheel with five
split legs of a five point star, grey inlays around the star legs, and a
pentagon shaped lug bolt cover.
1988 Isuzu Impulse Non-turbo
Changes as described above under general changes.
1989
1989 Isuzu Impulse and Turbo General Changes
The bumpers are color keyed to match the body color.
Badges reading "Lotus Tuned Suspension" are remain on the front fenders or doors
and tail.
1989 Isuzu Impulse Turbo
Mechanically unchanged from 1988 model year.
1989 Isuzu Impulse Non-turbo
Mechanically unchanged from 1988 model year.
The tic-tac-toe style wheel is brought back for some cars.
1985-89 Isuzu I-Mark
1985-86
1985-86 Isuzu I-Mark
The I-Mark is introduced in the US market.
Early models are distinguished by the wide front grille with square grid
openings and large, square, sealed beam headlights.
Front side marker lights are on the sides of the front bumper.
13x4.5 steel wheels are standard and 13x4.5 wheels are optional, aluminum
color turbine similar to the turbine wheel available on the Impulse.
1987
1987 Isuzu I-Mark
The grille is redesigned with aerodynamic style headlights, fake driving lights,
and a narrower slit opening grille with a large smooth above the slit.
Side marker lights are eliminated and replaced with triangular corner marker
lamps next to the aerodynamic style headlamps.
1987 I-Mark RS Turbo
A turbo model is introduced and is differentiated externally by the addition of
a rigid plastic high rise rear spoiler in black plastic for hatchbacks and a
surface mount trunk lid spoiler for sedans. A "TURBO" decal is added to the
lower door.
While the redesigned nose of the Non-turbo models receive fake fog lamps between
the headlamps and the grille center, the Turbo models receive functional fog
lamps.
1988
1988 Isuzu I-Mark
The Lotus Tuned Suspension is introduced with softer springs and stiffer shocks
(dampers) and is available as optional equipment.
Badges reading "Lotus Tuned Suspension" are placed on the front fenders and tail
of the car of models equipped with the Lotus Tuned Suspension.
1988 Isuzu I-Mark RS Turbo
The Lotus Tuned Suspension is introduced with softer springs and stiffer shocks
(dampers) and is available as optional equipment.
Badges reading "Lotus Tuned Suspension" are placed on the front fenders and tail
of the car of models equipped with the Lotus Tuned Suspension.
1989
1989 Isuzu I-Mark, LS, and RS General Changes
Badges reading "Lotus Tuned Suspension" remain on the front fenders and tail of
the car of models equipped with the Lotus Tuned Suspension.
Front and rear bumpers are redesigned.
1989 Isuzu I-Mark
Mechanically unchanged from 1988 model.
1989 Isuzu I-Mark LS Turbo
Mechanically unchanged from 1988 model year.
1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS 16 Valve
The RS name is removed from the Turbo model and used for a new model with the
DOHC 16 valve engine.
Lotus Tuned Suspension is standard as is the badging proclaiming this on the
fenders and tail.
Hatchback models receive a color keyed high mount spoiler earlier used on the
Turbo models and sedans receive a color keyed surface mount spoiler earlier
used on the Turbo model. The RS also receives color keyed urethane side skirts,
color keyed, manual side veiw mirrors, but no rear windshield wiper on hatchback
models.
Recaro seats and interior package is optional.
The standard 14x5 alloy wheel is the aluminum color split five spoke with
exposed lug nuts and red or grey accents.
1985-89 Chevrolet/Geo Spectrum
1985-86
1985-86 Chevrolet Spectrum
The Spectrum is introduced in the US market.
Early models are distinguished by the wide front grille with square grid
openings and large, square, sealed beam headlights.
Front side marker lights are on the sides of the front bumper.
13x4.5 steel wheels are standard.
1987-88
1987-88 Geo Spectrum
GM begins marketing and selling the Spectrum, as well as other rebadged cars,
under the Geo name.
The grille is redesigned with aerodynamic style headlights, fake driving lights,
and a narrower slit opening grille with a large smooth above the slit.
Side marker lights are eliminated and replaced with triangular corner marker
lamps next to the aerodynamic style headlamps.
1989
1989 Geo Spectrum
The grille is redesigned again, eliminating the fake fog lamps and widening
the grille area, redesigning the opening to a large rectangle with two cross
bars.
1989-93 Geo Storm
1989-90
1989-90 Geo Storm Base and GSi Model General Details
The Storm was introduced as a late 1989 / early 1990 model.
Early model Storms are distinguished by the headlight eyebrows and black color
A-pillar.
1989-90 Geo Storm Base Model
The standard engine was the 1.6 liter SOHC 12 Valve.
The Base model received a black garnish panel on the tailgate, between the tail
lights.
"Geo" and "Storm" badges were placed on the tailgate garnish.
The Base model received a single tail pipe.
The standard wheel was a 14x5 steel wheel with alloy wheels optional.
1989-90 Storm GSi
The GSi received the 1.6 liter DOHC 16 Valve engine.
The GSi is set apart from the Base model by the one piece, rigid plastic, tail
style, spoiler on the rear hatch lid, an alternate style front bumper with
driving lights, urethane side skirts between the front and rear wheel wells
beneath the door, and a red reflector style tailgate garnish panel.
Red "Geo" and "Storm GSi" badges were placed on the tailgate garnish.
The GSi received a rear windshield wiper.
The GSi received twin tail pipes.
The standard 14x5 alloy wheel is the aluminum color six spoke with round lug
nut cover.
1991
1991 Geo Storm Base Model
Mechanically and outwardly unchanged from 1990 model.
1991 Geo Storm GSi
Mechanically and outwardly unchanged from 1990 model.
The standard 15x5.5 alloy wheel is the silver painted five spoke swirl with
round lug nut cover.
1991 Geo Storm Wagonback
Introduced as a late 1991 model, too late even for inclusion in sales literature.
Mechanically identical to the Base Model for this model year, a wagon back is
introduced with a square tail lift back design and alternate tail light and
rear bumper treatment.
1992
1992 Geo Storm Base and GSi Model General Changes
Front and rear bumpers are redesigned.
Headlights are changed to the GM low profile quad lamps, eliminating the need
for the headlight eyebrows. More oval headlight cutouts are used around the
headlamps.
Front turn signal lamps are changed to match the new front bumper design and
clear front turn signal lenses are used with amber light bulbs behind them.
The A-pillar is changed from black in color to color keyed to match the body
color.
1992 Geo Storm Base Model
Chrome "Geo" and "Storm" badges were placed on the top edge of the rear bumper
below the tail lights.
1992 Geo Storm GSi
The GSi receives a larger displacement engine, the 1.8 liter DOHC 16 Valve.
The GSi receives a new front bumper that remains different from the Base model
and retains fog lamps.
The wide tail rear spoiler is changed to a three pedestal spoiler for the GSi.
Red "Geo" and "Storm GSi" badges were placed on the top edge of the rear bumper
below the tail lights.
1992 Geo Storm Wagonback
Mechanically identical to the Base Model for this model year, a wagon back is
introduced with a square tail lift back design and alternate tail light and
rear bumper treatment.
1993
1993 Geo Storm Base Model
Mechanically and outwardly unchanged from the 1992 model.
1993 Geo Storm GSi
Mechanically unchanged from the 1992 model.
Chrome "Geo" and "Storm GSi" badges were placed on the top edge of the rear
bumper below the tail lights.
1990-93 Isuzu Impulse and Asuna Sunfire
1990
1990 Isuzu Impulse XS
The redesigned, front wheel drive based, Impulse is introduced in 1990.
It is mechanically similar to the Geo Storm, which preceded it as a late 1989
/ early 1990 model.
The Impulse received an alternate front and rear treatment and received luxury
options that were not available on the Storm.
All Impulses received DOHC 16 valve engines, starting with the 1.6 liter for
this model year.
Lotus Tuned Suspension was standard on all Impulses and badging proclaiming
this appears on the doors and tail.
Base model Impulses are distinguished by the black side view mirrors and black
molding which runs around the bumpers and across the doors, fenders, and quarter
panels.
Optional sport package included power windows, sun roof, and fog lamps.
The standard 14x5 alloy wheel is the silver painted five spoke organic with
round lug nut cover.
1991
1991 Isuzu Impulse XS
The Impulse XS remains unchanged from 1990.
1991 Isuzu Impulse RS
The Turbocharged, 1.6 liter model is introduced with all wheel drive.
The RS is distinguished by the NACA style hood scoop to blow air through the
top mounted intercooler, color keyed side view mirrors, and color keyed side
and bumper molding.
Optional sport package included power windows, sun roof, and fog lamps.
The standard 15x6 alloy wheel is the aluminum color six spoke with exposed
lug nuts and grey accents.
1991 Isuzu Impulse XS Wagonback
Introduced as a late 1991 model, too late even for inclusion in sales literature.
Mechanically identical to the XS Model for this model year, a wagon back is
introduced with a square tail lift back design and alternate tail light and
rear bumper treatment.
1992
1992 Isuzu Impulse XS
The 1992 model receives a larger 1.8 liter DOHC 16 Valve engine.
The standard 15x6 alloy wheel is the aluminum color six spoke with exposed
lug nuts and grey accents.
1992 Isuzu Impulse XS Wagonback
Mechanically unchanged from the XS model of this same year, receiving the larger 1.8
liter engine just as the XS.
Outward appearance unchanged.
1992 Isuzu Impulse RS
The standard 15x6 alloy wheel is the aluminum color six spoke star swirl with
exposed lug nuts and color keyed accents on three of the six spokes.
1993
1993 Isuzu Impulse XS
Mechanically identical to the 1992 Impulse XS
1993 Asuna Sunfire
This model is mechanically identical to the 1992 and 1993 Isuzu Impulse XS
but rebadged as a Asuna Sunfire to be sold through Pontiac dealerships across
then North.
1991-93 Isuzu Stylus
1991
1991 Isuzu Stylus S
The Stylus was introduced as a late 1990 / early 1991 model year.
The S model is mechanically identically to the 1990-93 Geo Storm Base model.
The standard wheel was a 14x5.5 steel wheel.
1991 Isuzu Stylus XS
The XS receives the 1.6 liter DOHC 16 Valve engine.
The XS is distinguished by a three pedestal rear spoiler.
Optional sport package included power windows, sun roof, and fog lamps.
The standard wheel was a 14x5.5 steel wheel with 14x5.5 alloy five point
organic star wheels optional.
1992
1992 Isuzu Stylus S
Mechanically unchanged from the 1991 model.
1992 Isuzu Stylus RS
For 1992, the XS model is dropped and an RS model introduced, essentially
identical to the previous XS, but with the larger 1.8 liter DOHC 16 Valve
engine.
The standard 14x5.5 alloy five point organic star wheels with optional 15x6
alloy wheel in aluminum color six spoke star swirl with exposed lug nuts
and grey accents on three of the six spokes.
1993
1993 Isuzu Stylus S
Mechanically unchanged from the 1992 model.
Tail lights are redesigned and the tail gate garnish is eliminated.
1993 Isuzu Stylus RS
Mechanically unchanged from the 1992 model.
Tail lights are redesigned and the tail gate garnish is eliminated.
The standard 15x6 alloy wheel is the aluminum color six spoke star swirl
with exposed lug nuts and color keyed accents on three of the six spokes.
