N12 II

Minor trim changes inside and out, revisions to the suspension, steering and ride, new Australian-made seats and a change of model nomenclature heralded the first locally-made Pulsar series.

The model range now consisted of the ‘E’ (1.3), GL and GX (both 1.5). In September ’83 the sports-orientated Pulsar EXA turbo two-door coupe arrived, followed by a boxy four-door sedan a month later.

The latter was only available in 1.5 GL and GX guises.

The EXA donated its engine and trim to the turbocharged Pulsar ET five-door hatchback from April ’84. It featured a 77kW 1.5-litre fuel-injected turbocharged engine, a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes.

Its advanced engine specification was a first for a locally made small car.