Isuzu Piazza

Which Isuzu Piazza version to buy: generations, horsepower, and the numbers that decide it

If the question is which Isuzu Piazza to buy, the data split is binary. 1 generation (1981-05-01 to 1991-07-31) is a Hatchback 3-door with eight RWD Gasoline versions from 110 hp to 150 hp, a 58 L tank, and 155 mm ground clearance.

If the question is which Isuzu Piazza to buy, the data split is binary. 1 generation (1981-05-01 to 1991-07-31) is a Hatchback 3-door with eight RWD Gasoline versions from 110 hp to 150 hp, a 58 L tank, and 155 mm ground clearance. 2 generation (1991-08-01 to 1994-12-31) is the same Hatchback 3-door body type with eight versions, but every one is FWD or AWD, 95–140 hp, a 47 L tank, and 130 mm clearance. Peak power on 1 generation is the 2.0 AT 150 hp (110 kW); peak power on 2 generation is the 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 140 hp (103 kW). The only measured top speeds sit on 2 generation: 170 km/h on 1.6 MT 95 hp and 200 km/h on 1.6 MT 130 hp. 0–100, mpg, CO2, eco class, gross weight, and wheel size are not measured on any of the 16 versions. Reliability is not measured in this dataset.

Generations: what actually changed for a buyer

2 generation (1991-08-01–1994-12-31), Hatchback 3-door, 8 versions. The buyer gets a smaller-displacement lineup (1588 cc and 1809 cc), Front, transverse engines, Distributed injection (multi-point) on every version, and a choice of FWD or AWD on the 140 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. Ground clearance is 130 mm on all eight. Tank is 47 L on all eight. Kerb weight is measured only on two manuals: 1035 kg on 1.6 MT 95 hp and 1010 kg on 1.6 MT 130 hp. The 130 hp 1.6 MT is 25 kg lighter than the 95 hp 1.6 MT while making 35 hp more. Rear brakes on every 2 generation version are Disc; fronts are Ventilated disc. Suspension is Independent, spring at both ends.

1 generation (1981-05-01–1991-07-31), Hatchback 3-door, 8 versions. The buyer gets RWD only, larger engines (1949 cc, 1994 cc, 2255 cc), and the only Turbo Piazza versions in the data: 2.0 MT 140 hp and 2.0 AT 140 hp (both Carburetor, 167 Nm) plus 2.0 AT 150 hp (Distributed injection (multi-point), 225 Nm). Tank is 58 L — 11 L more than 2 generation. Clearance is 155 mm — 25 mm more. Kerb weight is measured only on 2.0 AT 150 hp: 1270 kg. Engine position is measured only on that same 2.0 AT 150 hp: Front, longitudinal. Rear brakes on 2.0 AT 150 hp are Disc ventilated; every other 1 generation version uses rear Disc.

There is no restyling listed as a separate generation. Production of 1 generation stops 1991-07-31; 2 generation starts 1991-08-01.

Engines and specs

Distinguish identical names by horsepower. All engines are Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline. Boost is No unless marked Turbo.

Fuel grade: 2 generation all versions use 95. 1 generation 2.0 AT 150 hp and 2.0 MT 150 hp use 92. Fuel grade on 2.0 AT 120 hp, 2.0 MT 120 hp, 2.0 MT 140 hp Turbo, 2.0 AT 140 hp Turbo, 2.3 MT, and 2.3 AT is not measured.

Stroke arithmetic: 2 generation 1.6 engines share 80 × 79 mm; the 1.8 engines use 80 × 90 mm (11 mm more stroke). 1 generation 1949 cc engines use 87 × 82 mm; 1994 cc engines use 88 × 82 mm; 2255 cc engines use 89.3 × 90 mm.

Compression (where measured): 1.6 95 hp = 9.1; 1.6 130 hp = 9.8; 1.8 140 hp = 9.7; 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo = 8.2. Compression on the other 1 generation versions is not measured.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 95 hp = 59.8 hp/L; 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 130 hp = 81.9 hp/L; 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 140 hp = 77.4 hp/L; 2.0 120 hp = 61.6 hp/L; 2.0 140 hp Turbo = 71.8 hp/L; 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo and 2.0 MT 150 hp = 75.2 hp/L; 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT 110 hp = 48.8 hp/L. The densest engine in the catalogue is the 2 generation 1.6 130 hp unit.

Performance and economy (mpg, 0–100, top speed)

0–100 km/h is not measured on any Isuzu Piazza version in this data.

Top speed is measured on two versions only: 1.6 MT 95 hp, 2 generation, 170 km/h; 1.6 MT 130 hp, 2 generation, 200 km/h. That is a 30 km/h gap for 35 extra hp and 7 extra Nm (138 vs 131). Top speed on every 1.6 AT, every 1.8 MT, every 1.8 AT, and every 1 generation version is not measured.

City, highway, and combined consumption are not measured on any version. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured. A mpg comparison between Piazza versions cannot be calculated from this dataset.

Torque that is measured: 2 generation 1.6 95 hp = 131 Nm @ 4800; 1.6 130 hp = 138 Nm @ 5800 (+7 Nm, 1000 rpm higher); 1.8 140 hp = 162 Nm @ 4600 (+24 Nm vs the 130 hp 1.6, and 1200 rpm lower than that 1.6). 1 generation 2.0 140 hp Turbo = 167 Nm (rpm not measured); 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo = 225 Nm @ 3400. The 150 hp Turbo 2.0 AT has 63 Nm more than the 140 hp 1.8 of 2 generation (225 − 162) and 87 Nm more than the 130 hp 1.6 (225 − 138). Peak torque rpm on the 150 hp Turbo 2.0 AT is 3400, versus 4600 on the 1.8 140 hp and 5800 on the 1.6 130 hp.

Dimensions and weight

Body type does not change: Hatchback 3-door on both generations.

Ground clearance: 130 mm on every 2 generation version; 155 mm on every 1 generation version (25 mm more on 1 generation).

Fuel tank: 47 L on every 2 generation version; 58 L on every 1 generation version (11 L more on 1 generation).

Kerb weight, where measured: 1.6 MT 95 hp 2 generation = 1035 kg; 1.6 MT 130 hp 2 generation = 1010 kg; 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo 1 generation = 1270 kg. Kerb weight on the other 13 versions is not measured. Gross weight is not measured on any version. Wheel size is not measured on any version.

Weight per horsepower where both figures exist: 1.6 MT 95 hp = 1035 ÷ 95 = 10.89 kg/hp; 1.6 MT 130 hp = 1010 ÷ 130 = 7.77 kg/hp; 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo = 1270 ÷ 150 = 8.47 kg/hp. Among measured kerb weights, 1.6 MT 130 hp is the lightest car and the lowest kg per hp. The 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo is 260 kg heavier than the 130 hp 1.6 MT (1270 − 1010) for 20 extra hp (150 − 130).

Which version to choose

If the goal is the strongest measured power-to-weight in this catalogue: 2 generation 1.6 MT 130 hp. It is 1010 kg, 130 hp (96 kW) @ 7000, 138 Nm @ 5800, 1588 cc, 4 valves per cylinder, compression 9.8, Manual 5, FWD, 200 km/h. Versus 1.6 MT 95 hp it adds 35 hp and 7 Nm, loses 25 kg, and adds 30 km/h of measured top speed. Specific output is 81.9 hp/L versus 59.8 hp/L on the 95 hp 1.6 — the largest specific-output step in the model. Both share 95 fuel, 47 L tank, 130 mm clearance, Ventilated disc front / Disc rear, and Independent, spring suspension. The 95 hp 1.6 uses 3 valves per cylinder and 9.1 compression; the 130 hp 1.6 uses 4 valves and 9.8.

If the same 130 hp engine is required with Automatic: 2 generation 1.6 AT 130 hp. Same 130 hp / 96 kW @ 7000, 138 Nm @ 5800, 1588 cc, 4 valves, FWD. Gearbox is Automatic 4 — the only 4-speed automatic on 2 generation. The 95 hp 1.6 AT is Automatic 3. Top speed, 0–100, mpg, and kerb weight on both 1.6 AT versions are not measured.

If the goal is maximum torque and displacement on 2 generation: 1.8 MT 140 hp FWD. 140 hp (103 kW) @ 6400, 162 Nm @ 4600, 1809 cc, 4 valves, compression 9.7, Manual 5, FWD. Versus 1.6 MT 130 hp that is +10 hp, +24 Nm, +221 cc, and torque peak 1200 rpm lower (4600 vs 5800). Specific output is 77.4 hp/L, 4.5 hp/L below the 130 hp 1.6. Kerb weight, top speed, 0–100, and mpg on 1.8 MT 140 hp FWD are not measured, so a kg/hp comparison with the 130 hp 1.6 cannot be finished.

If AWD is the reason to buy a Piazza at all: 2 generation 1.8 MT 140 hp AWD or 1.8 AT 140 hp AWD. These are the only AWD versions in the model. Engine figures match the FWD 1.8s: 140 hp (103 kW) @ 6400, 162 Nm @ 4600, 1809 cc. 1.8 MT AWD is Manual 5; 1.8 AT AWD is Automatic 3. 1 generation has no AWD. Kerb weight of both AWD versions is not measured, so the weight cost of AWD is not measured.

If Automatic and 140 hp on 2 generation without AWD: 1.8 AT 140 hp FWD. Same engine as the other 1.8s, Automatic 3, FWD. Note the gearbox-step difference on 2 generation: the 130 hp 1.6 AT is Automatic 4; both 140 hp 1.8 AT versions (FWD and AWD) are Automatic 3. Top speed, 0–100, mpg, and kerb weight are not measured.

If the brief is “Piazza turbo” and turbo specs: stay on 1 generation. Only three versions have Turbo: 2.0 MT 140 hp, 2.0 AT 140 hp, and 2.0 AT 150 hp. The two 140 hp Turbos are 1949 cc, Carburetor, 167 Nm (rpm not measured), RWD. 2.0 MT 140 hp Turbo is Manual 5; 2.0 AT 140 hp Turbo is Automatic 3. The 150 hp 2.0 AT Turbo is a different engine: 1994 cc, 150 hp (110 kW) @ 5400, 225 Nm @ 3400, 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 8.2, Front, longitudinal, Automatic 4, RWD, 92 fuel, 1270 kg kerb, rear Disc ventilated. Versus the 140 hp Turbo 2.0 AT that is +10 hp, +58 Nm, +45 cc, injection instead of Carburetor, and one extra automatic ratio (4 vs 3). Versus 2 generation 1.8 MT 140 hp FWD, the 150 hp Turbo 2.0 AT matches the 140 hp headline only in the 1.8’s power class then exceeds it: +10 hp, +63 Nm, RWD instead of FWD, 58 L tank instead of 47 L, 155 mm clearance instead of 130 mm. 0–100, top speed, and mpg on all three Turbos are not measured.

If peak horsepower on a Manual, 1 generation: 2.0 MT 150 hp. 150 hp (110 kW), 1994 cc, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, fuel system not measured, 92 fuel, Manual 5, RWD. This is not the turbo engine: boost is No, valves are 2 not 4, torque is not measured, rpm is not measured. It shares 150 hp and 1994 cc with 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo but not the Turbo, not the 225 Nm, not the 4 valves, not the Automatic 4.

If the buyer wants the naturally aspirated 2.0 at 120 hp: 2.0 MT 120 hp or 2.0 AT 120 hp, 1 generation. 120 hp (88 kW), 1949 cc, Carburetor, boost No, RWD. 2.0 MT 120 hp is Manual 5; 2.0 AT 120 hp is Automatic 3. Torque, rpm, valves per cylinder, engine position, compression, fuel grade, 0–100, top speed, mpg, and kerb weight are not measured. Versus 2 generation 1.6 MT 95 hp, the 120 hp 2.0 MT has 25 more hp and 361 more cc, but specific output is 61.6 vs 59.8 hp/L — almost the same density. Versus 1.6 MT 130 hp, the 120 hp 2.0 has 10 fewer hp from 361 more cc (61.6 vs 81.9 hp/L).

Avoid 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT if the criterion is horsepower or specific output. 2.3 MT 110 hp and 2.3 AT 110 hp are the largest engines (2255 cc) and the weakest (110 hp / 81 kW @ 5500), 48.8 hp/L, 2 valves per cylinder, Carburetor, boost No, RWD. 2.3 MT is Manual 5; 2.3 AT is Automatic 3. Torque, 0–100, top speed, mpg, fuel grade, and kerb weight are not measured. Versus 2.0 MT 120 hp they add 306 cc and lose 10 hp. Versus 2 generation 1.6 MT 130 hp they add 667 cc and lose 20 hp.

Manual versus Automatic, same engine (what the extra ratio count buys). On 2 generation 1.6 95 hp: 1.6 MT is Manual 5 with measured 170 km/h and 1035 kg; 1.6 AT is Automatic 3 with top speed and kerb not measured. On 2 generation 1.6 130 hp: 1.6 MT is Manual 5 with 200 km/h and 1010 kg; 1.6 AT is Automatic 4 with those figures not measured. On 2 generation 1.8 140 hp: both 1.8 MT versions are Manual 5; both 1.8 AT versions are Automatic 3 — FWD or AWD. On 1 generation, every Manual listed is 5-speed; Automatics are 3-speed except 2.0 AT 150 hp Turbo, which is Automatic 4.

Generation pick in one line. Choose 2 generation for FWD or AWD, multi-point injection on every version, the 81.9 hp/L 1.6 130 hp engine, 1010 kg on 1.6 MT 130 hp, and the only measured top speeds (170 and 200 km/h). Choose 1 generation for RWD, Turbo, 225 Nm on 2.0 AT 150 hp, 58 L tank, 155 mm clearance, and 150 hp peak. Problems, reliability, interior, and engine-bay condition are not measured here; the version decision that is supported by the numbers is engine, gearbox, drive, and the few measured weights and speeds above.