1989 Isuzu 4200R

4200R - star of Tokyo

Although hints of Isuzu’s dream-car the COA series during the 1980s, no Isuzu dream car better illustrates its talent than the 4200R, which was the star of the 1989 Tokyo Show. Through its General Motors connections, Isuzu had close contact with Lotus in Britain, and it was Lotus that, via Isuzu’s Brussels-based design office, essentially created the 4200R.

Julian Thomson was the designer of one of the cleanest shapes of this period: Cox was more adventurous with the clear of the body and sliding backwards.

The intention was that under the skin would lie a Lotus-developed version of Isuzu 4.2-litre V-eight quad-cam engine, producing 350bhp. Other technical highlights were four-wheel drive, Lotus active ride, a head-up display and navigation system. Sadly, the 4200K never made production.