Renault Torino

Infobox Automobile
name=Renault Torino


manufacturer=IKA
production=1966 – 1982
assembly =Santa Isabel, Córdoba Province
class=Mid-size
body_style=4-door sedan
2-door coupé
engine=3.0 L I6
3.77 L I6
transmission=4-speed manual
3-speed ZF automatic
layout=front-engine, rear wheel drive
length= Auto mm|4492|1 sedan
Auto mm|4580|1 wagon
width= Auto mm|1680|1
height= Auto mm|1300|1
weight= Auto kg|1060|0
designer=American Motors and Pininfarina|

The Torino is a mid-sized automobile made by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) under an agreement with American Motors (AMC) from 1966. IKA was eventually bought out by Renault in 1975. The Torino was built on the same AMC platform all the way through 1981 in both two-door hardtop and four-door sedan variants.

Design

The Torino began life as an Argentine hybrid of AMC's Rambler American that was introduced in 1964, and the Rambler Classic introduced in 1963. The Torino was first assembled by IKA from complete knock down (CKD) kits that were imported from Kenosha, Wisconsin. IKA used the front and rear sheetmetal of the 1964-5 American combined with the center section of the 1963-4 Classic to create the Argentinian Torino – basically a stretched compact American (the American rode on a convert|106|in|0|adj=on wheelbase, while the Classic had a convert|112|in|0|adj=on – just like the Torino). The Torino's front unibody support rails (often erroneously referred to as subframe or frame rails) extended from the front bumper all the way back to just in front of the rear rails. This was a unique feature adapting the car to the rougher road conditions of Argentina at the time. In contrast, cars built in the United States ended the front rails just under the front seats. Although the engines were never sourced from American Motors, the vehicle's basic AMC platform continued. Upgrades were incorporated over the years, such as AMC's flush door handles, the Torino became mostly a product of Argentina with few imported parts.

The car's badging was based on the city of Turin's coat of arms. The symbol was a bull standing on its two hind legs, mimicking the prancing stallion symbol of Ferrari. The Argentinian car's front end, rear fascia, and interior were redesigned by Italian auto stylists at Pininfarina to give it a more European look, as well as to make the Torino more appealing to the Argentine public and less like an American car. With the added exterior styling touches, as well as its unique trim and luxurious interior appointments, the Torino was truly a product of Argentina.

Between 1970 and 1976, the Torino was sold as a "luxury vehicle". Famous owners included Fidel Castro, Leonid Brezhnev, and Muammar al-Gaddafi. [ [http://www.ramblerrogue.com/torino2.htm Martorano, Andrés. "So what's a Torino?" in the Rambler Rogue Registry, undated] , retrieved on 2008-06-09.]

From 1977, the top model became the Torino Grand Routier, a touring sedan. The entire range received some sheetmetal and design changes in 1978, (when IKA became Renault Argentina) though major panels such as the doors were carried over. The newer models were longer and the later sedans can be recognized by their full C-pillar. Previously the rear window wrapped into the sides more.

In its final year, the Torino was only available in two models (Grand Routier GR sedan and ZX Coupé), while in its heyday there were over twenty versions.

Engines

Rather than using AMC engines, the Torino was equipped with 3.0 L (230 CID) overhead camshaft (OHC) straight-6 (I6) Jeep Tornado engines that were originally developed by Kaiser Motors in 1963 for the new Jeep Gladiator pickups and Wagoneer four wheel drive vehicles. This engine was produced in Argentina and increased the domestic or local sourced content of the car. At the Torino's debut on 1966-11-30, at the Municipal Racing circuit of Buenos Aires (which is used for the Formula 1 race every year), three models were available: a 4-door sedan with 3.0 L and 3-speed transmission, a 2-door coupe with 3.0 L with a Holley carburetor and a 4-speed ZF manual gearbox, and a top-of-the-line "380W" equipped with an enlarged 3.77 L engine with three horizontally mounted Weber 2-barrel carburetors. The 3.77 L produced Convert|220|hp|kW|0 making the 380W capable of convert|210|km|0|adj=on top speed.

Racing

The car was successful in Argentina, and, when released, it placed well in international races against famous sport cars. The most important race was the "84 hours of Nürburgring" in 1969.

Legacy

By the late 1970s the Torino was the only non-Renault product manufactured by the French company. It could also be considered the last front-engine, rear wheel drive Renault, a rarity in itself.

Many Argentinians think of the Torino as the national car. There are many users, parts vendors, and fan clubs.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.xtremezx.com Torino ZX site in Spanish]
* [http://www.ramblerrogue.com/torino1.htm Torino page at the Rambler Rogue site]
* [http://www.torosite.com.ar/foro The Best foro Torino]
* [http://www.pasion-torino.com.ar/portada.htm Another Torino site in Spanish]
* [http://www.aatorino.com.ar Fan Club in Argentina]