Isuzu Aska

Isuzu Aska

Manufacturer	Isuzu
Production	1983–2002
Predecessor	Isuzu Florian
Class	compact
Body style	4-door sedan

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.

The name comes from the Japanese word, "Asuka", which is the old name of the Asuka Village in the Nara Prefecture of Japan. Because the name "Asuka" may be pronounced `Ashuka` in European as well as foreign countries, the `U` was taken away from the name, presenting the model as the "Aska".

First generation (1983–1989)

First generation

Also called	Chevrolet Aska Holden Camira (JJ) Isuzu Florian Aska Isuzu JJ
Production	1983–1989
Assembly	Arica, Chile Quito, Ecuador (AYMESA)
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
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 was always relatively unpopular). 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".

1984–1987 Holden Camira (JJ), New Zealand

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, because the previous Australian-sourced JB Camira fared badly in the New Zealand market (nonetheless, the JD wagon was imported concurrently from Australia). GM switched back to the updated Australian version (JE) in 1987 due to the strengthening Japanese Yen.

The Aska was also assembled in Arica, Chile from CKD kits from 1984 and sold as Chevrolet Aska in the Chilean domestic market and in Ecuador. Chilean Askas came in three equipment levels (LT, Limited, and Deluxe), with two engines and either automatic or 5-speed manual transmissions. While the two lesser versions both received a 91 PS (67 kW) 1.8-litre coupled to the five-speed, the Deluxe got the larger 2-litre with 100 PS (74 kW), only fitted with the automatic transmission.

The first generation Aska was discontinued in 1989; production totaled 108,512 cars.

Second generation (1990–1993)

Second generation

Also called	Subaru Legacy Isuzu Aska CX
Production	1990–1993
Layout	FF AWD
Engine	1.8 L EJ18 Flat-4 2.0 L EJ20 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 the 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. There was also a Subaru Leone Van version briefly available, badged as the Isuzu Geminett II.

The EJ series engine was offered. in both 1.8 and 2.0 liter displacements. The engine has either SOHC/DOHC architecture and pent-roof, cross flow cylinder firing chambers.

The 2.0 liter fuel delivery was managed with sequential multiport fuel injection called MPFI, and the 1.8 liter engine used a modified fuel delivery system with single point throttle body fuel injection called SPFI. The DOHC 2.0 liter non turbocharged engine had a dual stage intake manifold.

The 2.0 liter vehicle came optional with Subaru's AWD system while the 1.8 came with FWD only. As with all other Askas, this was only ever available with four-door saloon bodywork.

Third (1994–1997) and Fourth (1998–2002) generation

Third generation

Also called	Honda Accord
Production	1994–1997
Layout	FF
Engine	2.0 L F20B1 I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Length	4,675 mm (184 in) sedan
Width	1,760 mm (69 in) sedan
Height	1,410 mm (56 in) sedan

Fourth generation

Also called	Honda Accord Honda Torneo
Production	1998–2002
Layout	FF
Engine	1.8 L F18B I4 2.0 L F20B1 I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Length	4,635 mm (182 in) sedan
Width	1,695 mm (67 in) sedan
Height	1,420 mm (56 in) sedan

Later, Isuzu entered a more substantial model-exchange alliance with Honda. Among other models, 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.

External links

• (Japanese) Photos of the Irmscher Aska
• (Japanese) Isuzu Aska Owners' Club "J2" (1st-gen Askas)