Geo Storm

The Geo Storm is a sport compact car manufactured by

Isuzu that was sold in the United States by Geo from 1990 Geo Storm
until 1993. The same vehicles, with minor variations, were
sold in Canada in the 1992 and 1993 model years only.
The Storm was intended to be a budget car with the look
and feel of a sports car. It was sold in two-door liftback
and hatchback forms.

The Geo Storm was a rebadged version of the sporty,

second generation Isuzu Impulse minus some of that car's
more expensive features. The Storm was sold in Japan as
the Gemini Coupé and also as the PA Nero through the
Overview
Yanase dealerships.[1] The Storm lacked the Impulse's
Lotus-tuned suspension as well as the Impulse's optional Manufacturer Isuzu
turbocharger and all-wheel drive drivetrain. Although they Also called Isuzu Gemini Coupé
were essentially the same car, sales of the Storm were
Isuzu PA Nero (Japan;
much stronger than those of the Impulse—indeed, the
Storm sold better than most small GM cars of that era. Yanase)
Slow sales of the Isuzu version doomed the Storm. When Asüna Sunfire (Canada)
Isuzu ceased building passenger cars in 1993 due to the
Production 1990–1993
effects of the crash of the Japanese Bubble Economy, the
Isuzu-made Geo Storm was also discontinued with them. Model years 1990-1993
Geo offered no sport coupe replacement for the Storm Assembly Japan: Fujisawa Plant,
before the brand was folded into Chevrolet after 1997. As Fujisawa, Kanagawa
of 2010, there were only 40,300 Storms registered for road
Body and chassis
use.[2]
Class Sport compact
The Storm was manufactured at Isuzu's main plant in
Body style 3-door hatchback
Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. The Storm and Impulse were
3-door liftback
also sold in Canada by General Motors Canada as the
Asüna Sunfire. Layout FF layout
Platform GM P platform
Related Isuzu Gemini
Contents Isuzu Piazza
Isuzu Impulse
Versions
Powertrain
Performance
Engine 1.6 L SOHC 4XE1 I4
Reviews
1.6 L DOHC 4XE1 I4
Year to year changes
1.8 L DOHC 4XF1 I4
References
Transmission 5-speed manual
External links
Racing 3-speed Mazda F3A
automatic
Versions 4-speed Jatco F403E
automatic
The most common body style for the Storm was a three- Dimensions
door liftback. The 1990 and 1991 liftbacks were produced
Wheelbase 96.5 in (2,451 mm)
in two trim packages, but all Storms shared front disc and
rear drum brakes and had an anti-sway bar to tighten the Length Base 1990–91: 163.4 in
front suspension. The base model was priced at $10,390, (4150 mm)
and the GSi was $11,650 .USD[3] 1990–91 GSi: 163.9 in
(4163 mm)
1992–93: 164 in (4165 mm)
Width 66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Height 51.1 in (1,298 mm)
Curb weight 2,282 lb (1,035 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Geo Spectrum
1992 Geo Storm hatchback Successor none

The base model's SOHC inline-four engine produced 95  hp

(71 kW) and had a 9.1:1 compression ratio.[3] The more powerful
1990–1991 GSi used a 1.6L DOHC engine that produced 130 hp
(97  kW) and had a 9.8:1 compression ratio.[3] The GSi package
also included driving lights, a spoiler, a rear anti-sway bar, and a
transmission with a gear ratio that was slightly better for
acceleration[4] than the base model's manual transmission.
Rear view of a 1991 hatchback For 1991 and 1992, customers had the option of purchasing a two-
door hatchback body style, also called a wagonback. The base
price of the hatchback was $11,450, and it was never offered with
the stronger GSi engine. The much more popular Storm liftback was marketed as a "coupé".[5]

In 1992, the Storm was restyled to have a smoother front fascia without the pop-up headlight covers on
earlier models. The 1992–93 base models retained the same engine, features, and price that were on the
earlier car, with slight interior changes such as different stereos, revised rear speaker locations, and interior
trim and upholstery. The GSi version from these years cost considerably more ($13,645–14,560) but this
price included a larger 1.8 L 140 hp (104 kW) engine.

Canada received the Storm in 1992; it was offered there in base trim and in up-level GSi "Sport Coupe"
models (both available as liftbacks). The more upright "Hatchback" model only came in base trim.

The Japanese were also offered the Geo Storm version of the Piazza, called the Yanase-Isuzu PA Nero,
which was exclusive to Japanese dealerships called Yanase Co., Ltd. under special arrangement, a
dealership that sold GM products in Japan.

Performance
Modern sport compacts have faster acceleration and better handling, but the performance figures for the
Storm were quite respectable for an economical compact car from that era. Autoweek's 1990 review of the
Storm was titled "Slick, Quick And Inexpensive", and described the car as "a good performer" that
"handles better than the average new car."[6] When Road & Track compared ten sport compact cars they
said the Storm had "the highest skidpad rating (0.85 g), sticks like
pine tar to the autocross course, is second-quickest through the
slalom and stops shorter from 80 mph (130 km/h) than many highly
respected sports cars".[7]

Skid pad test figures ranged from 0.81 g[3] to 0.85 g,[7] meeting or

exceeding those of the Mazda RX-7 convertible.[3] Sport Compact
Car listed the Storm as number three in their "Top Ten of 1992".[8]
Hot Rod Magazine's Jeff Smith drove a Geo Storm that was set up 1990 Geo Storm GSi hatchback in
for SCCA Super Production[9] racing and declared it to be "every autocross
bit as demanding and fun" as racing a Trans-Am series car.[10]

Two different Geo Storm Celebrity Races[11] were held in 1991, the first on July 13 in Des Moines, Iowa,
and the second on August 24 in Denver, Colorado. Although they are not the most common type of race
cars, modified Storms are still occasionally used to compete in road racing, drag racing and autocross. One
of the 2003 entries in the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge was a Storm GSi.[12]

Model 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) Top speed

1990 GSi[3] 8.0 seconds 130 mph (210 km/h)

1991 Wagonback[5] 10.0 seconds 108 mph (174 km/h)

1992 GSi[13] 7.1 seconds 125 mph (201 km/h)

Reviews
The Storm sold well and was popular with owners, despite getting
mixed reviews from automotive magazines. The body styling was
"mildly controversial".[6] Kevin Smith of Car and Driver used
phrases like "Planet Zarkon" and "space-capsulish" to describe the
body, which he listed as one of the best and worst features of the
Storm.[14] AutoWeek said that college-aged people tended to
"shower the Storm with attention", but that baby boomers tended to
"think that at best, the Storm is unusual looking, at worst, odd."[6]

Isuzu PA Nero (Japan) The shape of the body was not the only thing automotive
journalists criticized. The engine was described as a "buzzbomb"[3]
or "just plain noisy".[6] A few reviewers disliked the suspension,
saying the Storm has "above average body lean and needs more rebound control".[6] Some complained
about the small cargo area, visibility and the absence of headroom for backseat passengers.[7]

Other aspects of the Storm were more popular with magazine test drivers. Many praised the wide power
band of the engine. AutoWeek said, "It revs quickly and easily. Running up to the 7600 rpm redline can be
a delight."[6] Automobile Magazine liked the handling, saying, "It's a delight to negotiate twisty...roads with
its firm yet compliant suspension."

Year to year changes

1991: A hatchback ("wagonback") model was added, other than that, the Storm carried on
unchanged.[3]
 1992: All three models of the Storm received a new headlight cluster (with narrow sealed-
beam halogen headlamps also seen in that year's Pontiac Grand Prix GTP), tail lights, and
front clip. The Storm went on sale in Canada. Base models received a new rear bumper
treatment. Instrument panel and gauge graphics were also slightly revised. The GSi version
received a new spoiler and a larger DOHC engine which offered 10 extra hp.[7]
1993: The hatchback was dropped, and the center console was fitted with a double-DIN
radio. The hp rating of the base model dropped from 95 to 90 because of a camshaft
redesign to allow more torque, creating a peppier engine.[15]

Overall, there were six versions of the Storm; the early 1990-91 base and GSi liftbacks, 1991 base
hatchback, facelifted 1992-93 base and GSi liftbacks, and base 1992 hatchback.[16]

References
1. History (http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/storygemini.html) of the Gemini series of cars from Isuzu.
2. "Registered Storms as of 2010" (http://www.isuzone.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21485&p
age=3). Isuzone.org. July 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
3. Geo Storm GSi. (includes related articles) (evaluation). John Phillips III, Larry Griffin,
Nicholas Bissoon-Dath and David Kunkler. Car and Driver v35.n11 (May 1990): pp61(5).
(2378 words)
4. Geo Storm Specifications (http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/hist/specstorm.html)
5. Geo Storm Hatchback. (evaluation). Phil Berg. Car and Driver v36.n10 (April 1991):
pp165(2). (836 words)
6. Slick, Quick and Inexpensive, Autoweek, April 16, 1990 (includes their own review, as well
as quotes from owners and from the staff of other magazines like Motortrend, Car and Driver,
and Automobile magazines.)
7. Kott, Douglas (May 1993). "Little squirts: ten sporty point-and-shoot cars for a price that won't
soak you". Road & Track. Vol. 44, no. 9. p. 56.
8. "Top Ten of 1992; #3 Geo Storm". Alan Paradise. Sport Compact Car. August 1992. P. 27-
28.
9. SpeedWorld's explanation of Super Production (http://www.speedvisionwc.com/history.html)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20051104044907/http://www.speedvisionwc.com/hist
ory.html) November 4, 2005, at the Wayback Machine cars and the World Escort Challenge
10. Storm Warning; Customizing Chevrolet Geo Storms for Racing. Jeff Smith. Hot Rod.
November 1991. P. 60-62.
11. Information on Geo Storm Celebrity Races (http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/featur
e/bsas.html)
12. photos (http://www.grmotorsports.com//archives/2003pictures.html) Archived (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20061101040740/http://www.grmotorsports.com/archives/2003pictures.html)
November 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine from the 2003 GRM challenge
13. The Bonsai GTs. (comparison test of the Nissan NX2000, Geo Storm GSi and Mazda MX-3
GS) (includes article on the retirement of the Honda CRX) (evaluation). Richard Ceppos.
Car and Driver v37.n5 (Nov 1991): pp112(7). (1941 words) From Professional Collection.
14. "Eleven for thirteen. (quality sports cars under $13,000) (evaluation)." Smith, Kevin. Car and
Driver 35.n12 (June 1990): 46(13)
15. "Consumerguide review on the Geo Storm" (https://web.archive.org/web/20061010174905/h
ttp://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2166/). Archived from the
original (http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2166/) on
October 10, 2006. Retrieved February 4, 2006.
16. This site has pictures (http://slothnet.com/cars/storm/GeoInfo.html) of all storm versions

External links
Geo Storm History (http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/storygemini.html)
Storm pricing and specifications (http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/hist/specstorm.
html)
In its first year, the Geo Storm outsold (http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/) GM's
Cavalier, Sunbird, Corsica, and Beretta
Geo Storm Owners Page (http://www.stormowners.com)

Racing
Isupage (http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/)
Steve Lockett's Storm configured for SCCA Improved Touring (ITB) Road Racing (http://ww
w.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/feature/sloc.html)
Video: Steve Lockett's 10.9 pass beats a Camaro at the drag strip (http://video.google.com/vi
deoplay?docid=-1431875134390375655)
Geo Storm autocrossing (http://www.sbrscca.org/solo/2005_points/Points_4/other.html).

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