Isuzu COA-2 is mid-engine test bed with an intercooled, DOHC turbo. It's Isuzu's "maybe" model. This pretty targa top, if it's ever produced, will be little Isuzu's way of one-upping Goliath Toyota's MR2. The mid-engine, 2-seater Mister Two tested the waters and found them roiling with customers for well-executed, affordably priced, real sports cars, not make-believe sporty cars. The Isuzu COA-2's edge is how it puts the power to the pavement: through all four wheels. And a 16-valve inter-cooled turbo makes sure there's plenty of oomph to go around. It was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show of 1985.
Engine & performance:
Position: mid-engined
Type: 4-cylinder, in-line, DOHC
Capacity: 1.5-litre; 2-litre
Drive: 4WD
Source: Popular Mechanics, Dec 1986; allcarindex