| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1980 |
| Production Years: | 1980 - 1990 discontinued in 1990 |
The Isuzu Piazza, produced from 1980 to 1990, is a distinctive coupe that embodies the spirit of early 1980s Japanese sports cars. Designed with a sharp, aerodynamic profile, the Piazza was Isuzu's answer to the growing popularity of compact sports coupes in the global market during that decade. With its production spanning a full decade, the Piazza gained recognition for its unique styling, which was the work of famed designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, lending the car a timeless and angular aesthetic that still resonates with enthusiasts today.
The dimensions of the Isuzu Piazza reflect its sporty coupe classification. While exact figures can vary slightly depending on specific model years and markets, the general size places it comfortably within the compact coupe segment. The Piazza typically features a length of approximately 4,200 mm (165.4 inches), a width around 1,675 mm (65.9 inches), and a height close to 1,295 mm (51 inches). These dimensions give it a low and wide stance that enhances both its visual appeal and handling characteristics.
The weight of the Piazza is generally in the range of 1,100 kg to 1,200 kg (2,425 to 2,645 lbs), which contributes to its agile driving dynamics. The compact size and relatively light weight help the car deliver a responsive and engaging driving experience, ideal for enthusiasts looking for a balance of performance and style.
Beyond its size and shape, the Piazza’s coupe body type emphasizes a sporty and personal driving experience, typically accommodating two passengers comfortably with a focus on driver engagement. Its design prioritized aerodynamics and sleek lines over interior space, which is characteristic of many sports coupes of the era.
In comparison to other coupes of the early 1980s, the Isuzu Piazza stands out not only for its styling but also for presenting a unique mix of European design influence and Japanese engineering. This combination makes the Piazza an interesting subject for car size and specification comparisons, bridging the gap between compact dimensions and sporty performance characteristics. Overall, the Isuzu Piazza remains a notable example of 1980s automotive design, appreciated both for its visual impact and its well-balanced proportions.
Discover the standout features that make the 1980 Isuzu Piazza a leader in its class
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The Isuzu Piazza coupe from 1980 to 1990 measures approximately 4,200 mm (165.4 inches) in length, 1,700 mm (66.9 inches) in width, and 1,230 mm (48.4 inches) in height. These dimensions contribute to its sleek and sporty coupe profile, ideal for those seeking a compact but visibly aggressive sports car. Its relatively low height enhances aerodynamic efficiency, while the width provides good stability without being cumbersome in urban settings.
The Isuzu Piazza features a wheelbase of around 2,410 mm (94.9 inches), which is fairly typical for compact sports coupes of the 1980s. This wheelbase helps balance handling agility with ride comfort. Ground clearance is approximately 145 mm (5.7 inches), making it lower than many standard sedans but appropriate for a sporty coupe aiming for better road grip and reduced air drag. Compared to contemporaries like the Toyota Celica or Datsun 280ZX, the Piazza’s ground clearance and wheelbase provide a competitive stance focused primarily on sportiness.
The curb weight of the Isuzu Piazza ranges from about 1,010 kg to 1,100 kg (2,227 to 2,425 lbs) depending on the model year and engine specification. This relatively light weight contributes positively to the car’s nimble handling, acceleration, and fuel efficiency. The reduced mass helps the car respond quickly to driver inputs and maintain good balance through corners, making it enjoyable to drive for enthusiasts who value agility and spirited driving dynamics.
Yes, the Isuzu Piazza fits well within standard residential garages, which typically measure around 2,400 mm to 2,700 mm (94.5 to 106 inches) in width and at least 5,000 mm (196.9 inches) in length. With the Piazza’s length of approximately 4,200 mm (165.4 inches) and width of around 1,700 mm (66.9 inches), it leaves ample room for maneuvering within a typical garage. Its height of only 1,230 mm (48.4 inches) further ensures clearance for garage doors and overhead storage, making it a convenient car for urban environments.
The Isuzu Piazza features a 2+2 seating configuration common among sports coupes, with front bucket seats and smaller rear seats suitable for occasional passengers or extra cargo space. While the rear seating is more compact than larger sedans, it provides enough room for smaller passengers or children. The interior space efficiently balances sportiness with some practicality, and its cabin width allows reasonably comfortable front-seat occupancy. Compared to rivals like the Toyota Celica and Mazda RX-7 of the era, the Piazza’s interior is comparable in usability, favoring a driver-focused layout with sporty aesthetics.
The Isuzu Piazza (1980-1990) was the first and only generation of the Piazza model, so it does not have a direct predecessor. Instead, it was introduced as a fresh, sporty compact coupe concept aimed at the emerging market for Japanese sports cars in the 1980s. Its dimensions and sporty design were quite advanced for Isuzu at the time, setting a benchmark rather than evolving from an earlier version. As a unique model, its size represented a new segment for Isuzu focused on performance and style.
In comparison with contemporaries like the Toyota Celica and Nissan Silvia, the Isuzu Piazza shares similar compact coupe dimensions but presents a more angular and wedge-shaped design, giving it a distinct visual identity. Its length of approximately 4,200 mm (165.4 inches) is on par with these competitors, while its width of 1,700 mm (66.9 inches) is slightly narrower than some models like the Nissan Silvia. Overall, the Piazza’s size fits well within typical Japanese sports coupes of the era, and its design cues appealed to enthusiasts seeking a combination of European-inspired styling and Japanese engineering.
The Isuzu Piazza's exterior was influenced heavily by Italian design, particularly from the famed Giorgetto Giugiaro and Italdesign studio. This influence shows in its sharp, angular lines, wedge-shaped front end, and pop-up headlights. Its compact yet aggressive stance was engineered to balance aerodynamics with a sporty aesthetic. The relatively low height (1,230 mm/48.4 inches) and wide track enhance stability and road presence. The design not only optimized size for sporty handling but also gave the car an avant-garde style that stood out among 1980s coupes.
The Isuzu Piazza came with several engine options during its production, including a 1.6-liter SOHC inline-four, a 1.8-liter SOHC inline-four, and a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-four turbocharged variant for performance-focused models. The engine selection influenced both the overall weight and the balance of the car. The smaller engines kept the car light and agile, ideal for daily driving, while the turbocharged 2.0-liter added weight but improved power sharply, benefiting sporty driving dynamics. The relatively low weight of the engines combined with the compact chassis optimized the Piazza’s handling balance.
The Isuzu Piazza is equipped with a fuel tank capacity of about 50 liters (13.2 US gallons). Given the car's lightweight design and relatively fuel-efficient engines for the time, this tank size allows for a decent driving range. In typical urban driving conditions, you can expect around 350-400 kilometers (220-250 miles) on a full tank depending on driving style. On a highway, where fuel consumption typically decreases, the range can exceed 500 kilometers (310 miles). This capacity balances convenience without compromising the Piazza’s compact overall design.
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