IKA-Renault Torino

IKA-Renault Torino
IKA Torino 380 coupé (1966-1970)
Overview
Manufacturer	IKA (1966-1975) Renault Argentina (1975-1981)
Production	1966–1981
Assembly	Santa Isabel, Córdoba Province
Designer	Richard A. Teague and Pininfarina
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	2-door hardtop coupé 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Related	Rambler American
Powertrain
Engine	2.96 L (181 cu in) I6 Tornado Special 3.7 L (230 cu in) I6 Tornado Interceptor 3.8 L (233 cu in) I6 Torino 233 4.0 L (241 cu in) I6 Tornado Interceptor 241
Transmission	4-speed ZF manual 3-speed ZF manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	107.2 in (2,723 mm)
Length	4,724 mm (186.0 in)
Width	1,798 mm (70.8 in)
Height	1,410 mm (55.5 in)
Curb weight	1,060 kg (2,337 lb)-1,471 kg (3,243 lb)

2.96 L (181 cu in) I6 Tornado Special
3.7 L (230 cu in) I6 Tornado Interceptor
3.8 L (233 cu in) I6 Torino 233

The IKA Torino, later Renault Torino, is a mid-sized automobile made by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) under an agreement with American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1966. The 1966 Torino was IKA’s first integral national product and IKA was eventually bought out by Renault in 1975 to form Renault Argentina S.A. The Torino was built on the same hybrid AMC platform all the way through 1981 in both two-door hardtop and four-door sedan variants. It has been called Argentina's national car.

From its inception by Kaiser Motors and the Argentinian government in 1955, IKA assembled vehicles that were designed elsewhere. By 1962, management wanted an automobile that would be better suited to their domestic market, one that "combined American ruggedness and European style." IKA and American Motors had signed an agreement for development and production of such a car in Argentina.

The Torino was developed by IKA as an Argentine hybrid of AMC's 1964-'65 Rambler American and Classic with exclusively designed front and rear body panels, bumpers and interior. The central body section is from the Classic, and the engine and trunk compartments are derived from the American. Rooflines came from the American as well, and some later Torino sedans featured the attractive "C" pillar that was used in 1968-69 U.S. American sedans. The rear coil suspension was borrowed from the Classic, albeit with a four link setup rather than a torque tube. One unique feature is the Torino's front unibody "frame rails" borrowed from the Classic convertible (also used in the 1965-'66 Marlin). They are longer than the American, extending all the way back under the car to the front of the rear rails. This made for a stiffer chassis, better adapting the car to the rougher road conditions of Argentina at the time. The Torino rode on a slightly longer wheelbase (than the American) by one inch - 2723 mm (107-inch). Although the engines were not obtained from American Motors, the vehicle's basic AMC platform continued throughout its lifetime. As 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.