Isuzu Aska

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Mid-size sedans

title: "Isuzu Aska" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["isuzu-vehicles", "front-wheel-drive-vehicles", "all-wheel-drive-vehicles", "mid-size-cars", "sedans", "cars-introduced-in-1983", "1990s-cars", "2000s-cars", "cars-powered-by-boxer-engines", "cars-discontinued-in-2002", "cars-of-chile", "cars-of-ecuador"] description: "Mid-size sedans" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isuzu_Aska" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Mid-size sedans ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]

Field	Value
name	Isuzu Aska
image	1983 Isuzu Florian Aska 2000 Turbo LS (retouched).jpg
manufacturer	Isuzu
production	1983–2002
predecessor	Isuzu Florian
class	Family car
body_style	4-door sedan
::

| name = Isuzu Aska | image = 1983 Isuzu Florian Aska 2000 Turbo LS (retouched).jpg | manufacturer = Isuzu | production = 1983–2002 | predecessor = Isuzu Florian | class = Family car | body_style = 4-door sedan The Isuzu Aska was a nameplate used by Isuzu of Japan to denote its mid-size sedans from 1983 to 2002. Originally the Aska was a version of General Motors' J-car produced by Isuzu, but after Isuzu pulled out of manufacturing passenger cars the nameplate was applied to rebadged versions of the Subaru Legacy (1990 to 1993) and Honda Accord (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.

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" is likely to be mispronounced in foreign countries, the "u" was taken away from the name, presenting the model as the "Aska". TOC

First generation (1983–1989)

| image = JJ120 ASKA irmscher.jpg | name = First generation | aka = | production = 1983–1989 | engine = {{ubl | petrol: | 1,817 cc 4ZB1 I4 (JJ110) | 1,995 cc 4ZC1 I4 (JJ120) | 1,995 cc 4ZC1-T turbo I4 (JJ120) | diesel: | 1,995 cc 4FC1 I4 (JJ510) | 1,995 cc 4FC1-T turbo I4 (JJ510) | transmission = {{ubl | 4/5-speed manual | 3-speed automatic | 5-speed semi-automatic (NAVi5) | layout = Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive | platform = GM J platform | related = {{ubl | Holden Camira | Opel Ascona C | assembly = {{ubl | Japan: Kawasaki, Kanagawa (Kawasaki Plant) | Chile: Arica (GM Chile) | Ecuador: Quito (Automóviles y Máquinas del Ecuador (AYMESA))

The original Aska was developed as a part of GM's J-car program and was a replacement for Isuzu's dated Florian. In contrast to fellow J-cars from other GM divisions, the Aska only came in one body style, a four-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 simply "Aska" in 1985.

| image1 = Isuzu Aska Irmscher Turbo.jpg | image2 = | caption1 = Isuzu Aska Irmscher Turbo (JJ120) | caption2 = Early NAVi5 shift lever The car was launched in March 1983 with carburetted 1.8 and 2.0 litre gasoline engines and a diesel, going on sale a month later. In August 1983 the Turbodiesel followed, with 89 PS. In October 1983, a turbocharged and fuel injected version of the 2.0 litre engine, which developed 150 PS, joined the lineup as the LJ Turbo. In November 1985 a version branded by the German tuner Irmscher (specializing in Opels, they cooperated with Isuzu on some other models as well), this version featured a distinctive body kit and became somewhat of a cult object among some car fans in Japan.

In September 1984 the innovative (but ultimately unsuccessful) semi-automatic NAVi5 system became available for the naturally-aspirated Aska 2.0. This was an automated manual transmission with an electronically-operated clutch, long before Alfa Romeo's Selespeed. In March 1985 the diesel also became available with the NAVi5 transmission, and from September 1986 the LG Turbodiesel was also available with it. The Aska underwent a very subtle facelift in July 1985, which was also when the "Florian" portion of the car's name was dropped.

The first generation Aska was discontinued in March 1989; production totaled 108,512 cars. Isuzu did not have a contender in this segment for about a year's time until the second generation Aska was presented.

Export markets

South America (Chile, Ecuador)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/1985_Chevrolet_Aska_1.8_Limited.jpg" caption="1985 Chevrolet Aska 1.8 Limited (Chile)"] ::

From 1984, the Aska was assembled in Arica, Chile from CKD kits 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 five-speed manual transmissions. While the two lesser versions both received a 91 PS 1.8-litre coupled to the five-speed, the Deluxe got the larger 2-litre with 100 PS, only fitted with the automatic transmission.

South-East Asia and New Zealand

The Aska was exported to Southeast Asia, where it was known as the Isuzu JJ. It was also exported to New Zealand as the Holden Camira (JJ) between 1984 and 1987. This replaced the Australian-sourced JD Camira, because its predecessor, the JB Camira, had fared badly in the New Zealand market. However, the JD series wagon was retained, albeit imported concurrently from Australia rather than locally assembled. General Motors New Zealand switched back to the updated Australian version (JE) in 1987 due to the strengthening of Japanese Yen. In Indonesia, the two-liter version with 74 kW was briefly sold as the "Holden Aska" alongside the 1.6-liter Camira.

| image1 = 1984-1987 Holden Camira (JJ) sedan 01.jpg | image2 = 1984-1987 Holden Camira (JJ) sedan 02.jpg | caption2 = 1984–1987 Holden Camira (JJ), New Zealand

Second generation (1990–1993)

| image = Isuzu aska bcl 2.0cxtypeg 1 f.jpg | name = Second generation | production = 1990–1993 | assembly = Japan: Ōta, Gunma (Subaru) | engine = 1.8 L EJ18 H4 2.0 L EJ20 H4 | transmission = 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | layout = FF (standard) AWD (optional on 2.0L) | aka = Subaru Legacy Isuzu Aska CX Isuzu Aska E/T/V 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, beginning in June 1990. 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 single or double overhead camshaft architecture and pent-roof, cross flow cylinder firing chambers.

The 2.0 liter fuel delivery was managed with sequential multiport fuel injection, 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. The Aska was discontinued in May 1993, as the Subaru deal came to an end.

Isuzu Aska BCL 2.0.jpg|Isuzu Aska 2.0 CX (BCL; pre-facelift) Isuzu Aska BCL 2.0 rear.jpg|Pre-facelift; rear Isuzu aska bcl 2.0cxtypeg 1 r.jpg|Isuzu Aska 2.0 CX type-G (facelift; rear)

Third generation (1994–1997)

| name = Third generation | image = ISUZU ASKA3-1.jpg | production = 1994–1997 | assembly = Japan: Sayama (Honda Sayama Automobile Plant) | engine = 2.0 L F20B1 I4 | transmission = 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | body_style = 4-door sedan | layout = FF | aka = Honda Accord | length = 4675 mm | width = 1760 mm | height = 1410 mm 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 model was presented in March 1994, after stock of the Legacy-based, previous generation Aska had been sold out. The only difference to the Accord was the grille and logos.

It was only offered with a two-liter four-cylinder engine, combined with a four-speed automatic transmission. The model code assigned to it by Isuzu was CJ1. Production came to an end in September 1997, with sales from stock continuing for another two months.

|File:3rd generation Isuzu Aska.jpg|Isuzu Aska (3rd Gen), front |File:3rd generation Isuzu Aska rear.jpg|Isuzu Aska (3rd Gen), rear

Fourth generation (1998–2002)

| name = Fourth generation | image = ISUZU ASKA4-1.jpg | production = 1998–2002 | assembly = Japan: Sayama (Honda Sayama Plant) | body_style = 4-door sedan | layout = FF | engine = 1.8 L F18B I4 2.0 L F20B1 I4 | transmission = 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | aka = Honda Accord Honda Torneo | length = 4635 mm | width = 1695 mm | height = 1420 mm Introduced in November 1997, this was the second generation of Accord-based Askas - 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. Model codes were CJ2 for the 1.8 and CJ3 for the 2.0. The engines produce 140 and respectively and both were available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The differences between this and the Accord were limited to the grille, logos, and wheels. One additional change was that the engine head cover had the Honda logo removed, with only "VTEC" remaining.

The fourth generation Aska received a light facelift in June 2000. This change included new bumpers, redesigned taillights, interior updates, and cleaner engines. Production ended in March 2002, with sales from stock continuing until September. This marked the end of Isuzu passenger car sales, 49 years after their first car was presented.

References

[https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB842GB842&biw=1357&bih=624&tbm=bks&ei=3XqqXoeyK6mk1fAP_cmpqA4&q=%22Isuzu%2C+on+the+other+hand%2C+is+heavily+counting+on+Florian+Aska+series+vehicles+announced+in+March.+The+Japanese+version+of+General+Motors%27+J-car%2C+the+Florian+Aska+is+expected+to+do+just+as+well+in+the+Japanese+market+as+its+European+version%22&oq=%22Isuzu%2C+on+the+other+hand%2C+is+heavily+counting+on+Florian+Aska+series+vehicles+announced+in+March.+The+Japanese+version+of+General+Motors%27+J-car%2C+the+Florian+Aska+is+expected+to+do+just+as+well+in+the+Japanese+market+as+its+European+version%22&gs_l=psy-ab.3...30247.30247.0.32480.1.1.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.2.64.psy-ab..1.0.0....0.pPmJxKSRyLo ''The Oriental Economist''] Tanzan Ishibashi, 1983, page 19
(1985). "Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1985". Editoriale Domus S.p.A.
(2007). "別冊CG: 自動車アーカイヴ 80年代の日本". Nigensha.
(1986). "Chevrolet Aska ''(advertisement)''". GM Automotriz Chile (GMAC).
[https://books.google.com/books?id=vjMcAQAAMAAJ&q=%22holden+camira%22+%22isuzu+aska%22 ''Singapore Business''], Volume 8, Issues 1-6, Singapore Press Holdings, 1984, page 108
[https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19860410.2.129.3 Camira SLE one of better handling Japanese cars], ''[[The Press]]'', 10 April 1986, page 22
[https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19850117.2.76.1 New Camira put through paces], ''[[The Press]]'', 17 January 1985, page 10
[https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19850919.2.205.1 An honest-to-goodness waggon], ''[[The Press]]'', 19 September 1985, page 40
[https://books.google.com/books?id=0BtPAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Holden+Aska%22 ''Tempo''], Volume 15, Part 3, Badan Usaha Jaya Press Japansan Jaya Raya, 1985, page 59
"Isuzu Aska Second Generation 1990–1993".

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