Isuzu Gemini
The Isuzu Gemini was a compact car built for generations by Isuzu and sold between 1974 and 2000. The same vehicle was built and sold under different names, in some markets by other brands owned by General Motors, being distributed in several markets around the world.
The first Gemini was the Bellett Gemini in 1974. Their construction was based on the third generation of the Opel Kadett General Motors platform called "T", was built in body four-door sedan and two-door coupe. The chassis was codenamed PF50, similarly, the next versions of both 1.8 liter petrol and diesel were called PF60 and PFD60 respectively.
In June 1979, the Gemini received a new perspective, which included new rectangular headlights and re design the rear. The changes were actually more than that, the redesign of the engine compartment; in size and a wider radiator in November allowed to include two new types of engine, the engine Twin Cam G180W and the new 4FB1 diesel.
In Japan, Gemini Sport versions were available under the ZZ/R, ZZ/T and ZZ/E. names Using the engine 1.8-liter Isuzu G180W 8-valve DOHC, most with direct injection, these models also fitted a shortened shifter and factory could optionally include a LSD differential. Was also added a fuel-injected diesel version, which provided 8% more power than the regular version. For those who wanted more, was available turbo diesel version. In the Australian market, Holden Gemini model offered as a sedan (4 doors) and family (3 doors), which were derived from the Vauxhall Chevette with Gemini front panels. Gemini were car wheel compartment of the year for 1975.
In 1976 the Gemini equipped with 1.3-liter engine known as the 1g13c, which was adopted by Opel in Germany for their Opel Kadett.
Sold to Isuzu Gemini also in South Korea as Gemini Saehan that manufacturer became Daewoo Motors in 1982. Later they became Daewoo Maepsy after 1982 and was oriented sale until it was replaced by Daewoo Le Mans in 1986.
The coupe was replaced in 1981 by the square derived from Isuzu, which was introduced in the United States in 1983 as the Isuzu Impulse.
Sold as:
1975-1984 – Géminis of Holden – Australia 1982-1984 – Géminis of Holden – Nueva Zelandia 1975 – Géminis of Opel – Malasia, Tailandia 1976-1979 – Isuzu Opel/Buick Opel – Estados Unidos 1976-1982 – Saehan Géminis two – Corea del sur 1981-1984 – The two-Marca Isuzu 1981-1990 – Plaza de Isuzu 1983-1989 – Impulso of Isuzu
General Motors sought a replacement for its T-body Kadett/Gemini car in the world, and this time, instead of building one design on several continents, they decided to build a world car in one location and export it to several continents. For manufacturing the T-body turned over to Isuzu in Japan for economic reasons, as the manufacture of replacement. In 1984, Isuzu commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro over who was responsible for the 117 Coupe and square. This time, he had to design an economy car on the new platform of the front wheel drive R-body. The R-body featured a front suspension MacPherson strut suspension and rear beam axle, which foreshadowed most of GM offerings with its current model lineup. Giugiaro’s design followed the design closely square in shape and detail, although proportions made the Gemini appear shorter and taller in its three-door version and a four-door sedan (notch back) were also designed.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, Isuzu presented the designs to GM prior to freezing, and GM ordered a number of detail changes to them without always consulting the designer, Giugiaro, which was taken as an insult, and ended the long relationship between the builder oldest known Italian designer and Japan car. The insult was serious enough to Giugiaro that he denied was his car design until a decade after the vehicle left the production.
They introduced the R-body Gemini in 1985. In Japan, the car was available with a 1.5-liter SOHC, 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, and the 1.7-liter diesel engine. 1.6-liter DOHC engine was introduced in late 1987. Trim levels were varied widely, from basic models to Irmscher and Lotus tuned versions, and plenty of options and dealer optional equipment was available.
In the U.S., the vehicle was available from Chevrolet (and a later Geo) as the Spectrum, or Isuzu themselves, as the I-Mark. The GM Pontiac division sold the I-Mark as the Pontiac Sunburst in Canada from 1985 to 1988. Sunburst Pontiac continued because he felt that the engine was a bit weak and did not have much running. GM Canada announced that the Sunburst replacement would Passport Optima in 1989. For GM, this was an entry level vehicle to attract young buyers to compete with the flood of Japanese compact cars that flooded the U.S. market The spectrum lacked many of the options and the team I-Mark, though both were available with the 1.5 liter SOHC non-turbo and turbo engines, but no diesel engines were not offered in the U.S. The I-Mark turbo model was called the RS model in 1988 and then changed to the LS model in 1989. I-Mark was available with 1.6-liter DOHC engine in 1989 only because the RS model. In 1988 and 1989 models of LS and RS were offered with lotus tuned suspension, sportier suspension featuring more rigid dampers, alternate spring rates, and bigger sway bars.
Sold as:
1985-1989-The Marca of Isuzu – Estados Unidos 1985-1989 Isuzu Gemini – Japan Espectro 1985-1988 Chevrolet two – Estados Unidos y Canada 1989 geo espectro – Estados Unidos 1985-1989 Pontiac Sunburst – Canada 1985-1989 Holden Gemini – Australia 1985 -1989 Chevrolet Gemini – Chile
Gemini readjusted to 1990, and the coupe version was now renamed Gemini Coupe will. The last models were produced in 1993.
The Isuzu Gemini Coupe was the basis for the Isuzu Impulse and Geo Storm in the United States and Canada, and for Asuna Sunfire that was not sold in the Canadian market by 1993 years model only.
A 4-door sedan with similar mechanical components was sold as the Isuzu Stylus in the United States and Canada. Geo versions lacked some of the more expensive and more advanced versions of Isuzu (and Asuna) features.
Depending on the volume 80 Car Styling magazine the design of 4-door sedan was directly based on a study project for Saturn S-Series GM. GM rejected the design (which had developed a prototype known as the "little red car") in 1985 and gave it over to Isuzu.
They called 1993 Isuzu Gemini Coupe GT/GT also r/r was the last needle Gemini Clan. It was replaced with various civic Honda models.
However made a new Opel Kadett engine, also based on the 1g13c, known as the Kadett 1g13de MkII (1300 DOHC EFI) 1g13du (twin face DOHC 1300), 1g13te (1300 SOHC turbo) and 1g13dte (1300 DOHC turbo). All these variations were used in the last of the Geminis – Isuzu Impulse, Isuzu Square, Gemini MkII, Isuzu Stylus, Gemini MkII, Sunfire Holden, Opel Kadett, Opel/Vauxhall Tigra and Asuna Sunfire Isuzu Holden.
Production of Isuzu Gemini was terminated and replaced by a version of the Honda Integra.
In Australia, evaluated the 1982-1984 Holden Gemini in grades used 2006 car safety as they provide protection "significantly worse than average" for its occupants in the event of a fall.