Isuzu Piazza XE
A dramatic Italian show car became an Isuzu you could buy—still full of glass, smooth surfaces and clever fingertip controls.
1981 Japan Isuzu Piazza XE profile cover · M.rJirapat · CC BY-SA 4.0
Research pending
A matching completed auction sale has not been verified for this exact year, body, trim, engine, transmission and market.
Joyride shows this gap instead of substituting an asking price, unsold bid or mismatched special vehicle.
More than a set of wheels.
Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign first showed the Asso di Fiori concept in 1979. Isuzu translated its wedge-shaped form into the Piazza, announced in May 1981. The Japanese XE used a naturally aspirated 1.9-litre twin-cam four, electronic fuel injection, a five-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. Its four-wheel disc brakes and power steering matched its grand-touring role, while unusual control satellites placed switches close to the driver's hands.
Look a little closer.
Italdesign says the Piazza's doors carried part of the roof and wrapped into the top of the car, helping the sides stay smooth and reducing rain drips when occupants climbed in.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
From Asso di Fiori to production Piazza
The production car closely followed Italdesign's 1979 Asso di Fiori proposal rather than merely borrowing a few styling cues. Its large glass area, integrated door shape and flush surfaces preserved the concept's visual idea while fitting Isuzu's existing mechanical base.
Source: Italdesign · Piazza ↗Why XE must not inherit turbo specifications
Toyota's GAZOO catalogue identifies this exact 1981 XE as the naturally aspirated JR130: 1,949 cc, 135 PS gross and a five-speed manual. Later turbocharged Piazzas used different engine codes and outputs, so their figures do not belong on this launch-spec profile.
Source: GAZOO · 1981 Isuzu Piazza XE catalogue ↗Where these facts come from
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 2, 2026.