IKA-Renault Torino

1967 IKA Torino 380 W, the top version between 1966 and 1970.

In 1961, IKA (Industrias Kaiser Argentina) was looking for a car that could break into the Argentinian market, a car that could combine American reliability with European elegance. They had the idea of delivering two 1965 Rambler American (a coupe hardtop and a sedan) to Pininfarina for a complete redesign. The new design largely maintained the general shape of the original Rambler but with a completely new interior and a redesign grill and rear..

Rear view

The car was presented on November 30, 1966 at the Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez, and was marketed as the quintessential Argentinian car. The Torino proved wildly popular throughout the 1960s and the 1970s, continued to be produced even after the bankruptcy of IKA, which was sold to Renault in 1975. Renault continued the production until the early 1980's. In 1978 the local automobile market began to slow down considerably and this also coincided with the relaxation of trade restrictions and the introduction of foreign made cars to the Argentine market. The Torino was unable to compete with the newer cheaper more reliable foreign models. Renault decided to shut down the Torino production line on December 1981.

All engines were manufactured in Argentina.

• Tornado Special engine (only available on the 300/300S (4 doors):

• Bore X Stroke: 84.94 mm x 87.31 mm
• Displacement: 2968 cm3
• Top RPM: 5000 rpm
• Number of main bearings: 4

• Power: 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS) at 4500 rpm and 26 kg⋅m (188 lb⋅ft; 255 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm

IKA Torino sedan

• Tornado Interceptor engine (Available models 380, 380W, TS, SE, GS200):

• Bore X Stroke: 84.94 mm X 111.125 mm
• Displacement: 3770 cm3
• Top RPM: 5000 rpm
• 

  1972 Renault Torino
  Number of main bearings: 4

• Power:
• 380/380S: 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) at 4300 rpm and 32 kg⋅m (231 lb⋅ft; 314 N⋅m) at 3500 rpm (380S is the 4 door Version)
• 380W: 176 hp (131 kW; 178 PS) at 4500 rpm and 33 kg⋅m (239 lb⋅ft; 324 N⋅m) at 3500 rpm (The W is for the 3 weber 45 Dcoe 17 carburetors)
• TS: 160 hp (119 kW; 162 PS) at 4500 rpm and 31 kg⋅m (224 lb⋅ft; 304 N⋅m) at 2500 rpm
• TS/S: 152 hp (113 kW; 154 PS) at 4200 rpm and 30 kg⋅m (217 lb⋅ft; 294 N⋅m) at 2500 rpm (4 door)
• GS200: 185 hp (138 kW; 188 PS) at 4700 rpm and 34 kg⋅m (246 lb⋅ft; 333 N⋅m) at 3500 rpm *(The gs 200 is the replacement of 380w and was the first Argentine car exceed 200 km / h (203 km/h)

• The Torino 233 engine featuring a new block with 7 main bearings and a new cylinder head (Available models SE, GR, TS, TSX, GS, ZX).

• Bore X Stroke: 84.94 mm x 111.125 mm
• Displacement: 3770 cm3
• Top RPM: 5200 rpm
• Number of main bearings: 7

• Power:
• SE: 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS) at 4500 rpm and 31 kg⋅m (224 lb⋅ft; 304 N⋅m) at 2500 rpm (4 door)
• GR: 180 hp (134 kW; 182 PS) at 4500 rpm and 31 kg⋅m (224 lb⋅ft; 304 N⋅m)at 2500 rpm (4 door)
• TS: 180 hp (134 kW; 182 PS) at 4700 rpm and 31 kg⋅m (224 lb⋅ft; 304 N⋅m) at 2500 rpm
• TSX: 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS) at 4500 rpm and 33 kg⋅m (239 lb⋅ft; 324 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm
• GS: 215 hp (160 kW; 218 PS) at 4700 rpm and 34 kg⋅m (246 lb⋅ft; 333 N⋅m) at 3200 rpm (estimated)
• ZX: 200 hp (149 kW; 203 PS) at 4500 rpm and 33 kg⋅m (239 lb⋅ft; 324 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm

• The Tornado Interceptor 241 engine: prepared for use in competition only available in the Torino 380wTC:

• Bore X Stroke: 86.70 mm x 111.125 mm
• Displacement: 3950 cm3
• Top RPM: 5400 rpm
• Number of main bearings: 4

• Power: 248 hp (185 kW; 251 PS) at 5000 rpm and 39 kg⋅m (282 lb⋅ft; 382 N⋅m) at 4000 rpm

A TA Torino in the Juan Manuel Fangio Museum

The IKA Torino's most notable international success was in the 84-hour Nürburgring race of 1969, with a Torino finishing in fourth place.[1] The factory shipped three cars to Germany and after the three and a half days of racing, the No. 3 Torino driven by Eduardo Copello, Alberto Rodriguez Larreta, and Oscar Mauricio Franco, had covered the most laps of all - 334, but lost the top position because they accumulated various penalties during the race.[2] The IKA Torino became "the pride and joy of Argentine car enthusiasts" when their country's team "showed that it could run with the best of Europe on Europe’s toughest circuit."[2] The No. 3 car is displayed in the Juan Manuel Fangio Museum located in Balcarce, Buenos Aires Province, the birthplace of Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio who dominated the first decade of Formula One racing.

The IKA Torino won the Turismo Carretera, a popular touring car racing series in Argentina in 1967 with Eduardo Copello, 1969 with Gastón Perkins, 1970 and 1971 with Rubén Luis di Palma.

The Torino is still being raced, albeit in silhouette form with Jeep Cherokee engines, in the Argentinian Turismo Carretera, TC4000, and Turismo Zonal categories.

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.[3]

Many Argentines think of the Torino as the national car.[4][5]

It has become popular with the tuning industry. Parts are still available and there are fan clubs.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Renault Torino.

• The Best foro Torino
• Torino site in Spanish
• Fan Club in Argentina
• Production numbers