SOLVED - What car #202 - 1986 Vehma/Magna Torrero

[@re]

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[grobmotorix]

This is the Vehma Torreiro (I´ve got to check the spelling, but I´m quite sure...)

[@re]

It's the Torrero, alright, without the 'i', and I'll give you the point for that. But where the 'Vehma' comes from, I'm not sure - it seems to be mentioned more often under the name of another company. Do you know which one?

[grobmotorix]

I do own this brochure, too and it says that a Canadian company called "Vehma International, Inc." is the manufacturer

http://www.meinesammlung.com/Auto-und-Motorrad/Auto-Prospekte/16290-vehma-torrero-1989-114-0001.html

Hmm, let´s see, maybe I can find anything else about it...

I´ve found some more information in a book. They say it is a company of the Magna International Company.

So maybe you may call it the Vehma Torrero by Magna 

[@re]

Yep, that's it. The Magna Torrero. Or Vehma, as you might like to call it. Either way - the point is rightfully yours!

[Arunas]

I have added two short extracts about Magna Vehma Torrero as I hope someone will find them useful.. However, I am still searching for more pictures of this car (especially the rear part).. Maybe someone has any?

[@re]

I have some more info on this, too, but no more images. The info is in German and I don't have the time to translate it, but this might be of interest to you:

The powerplant was built by a separate Vehma company called Eagle Engine Company, and it was a giant 8.1-litre V8 with a power output of 540 hp and 769 Nm. Dimensions: L 4800mm, W 2010 mm, H 1600 mm, weight 2230 kg, top speed 240 kph.

[Arunas]

Thank You! Here it is:

[Arunas]

The third one is possibly of Torrero, but I don't know if the other two pictures are.. 

However, no pictures of the rear part

[DHoffmann]

Small, but something.

[Arunas]

Small, but something.

Beautiful picture! Highly appreciated!

[proscriptus]

The Torrero debuted at the Detroit show in February of '89, by the way--it's an '89 model, not an '86. And it had "Hunter" satellite navigation!

...And it appears it survives:
http://www.thestar.com/article/198025

[ImpishGrin]

Yes, the Torrero was presented in 1989. 1986 is the year the project started.

And it's great that it's still alive, I like this car a lot

[Allemano]

Found some hi-res pics:

[Djetset]

I have a bit of an inside track on this car as I was involved in the launch project for it at the the Geneva Motor Show in 1989.  

I worked as a consultant specialising in the automotive industry at the time, and was appointed by Vehma to undertake some market research on the Torrero during its Geneva debut.  At the time Vehma was a fledgling Canadian car component supplier, aiming to make it big in the OE market.  The Torrero was used to showcase their talents.  It clearly worked as Vehma morphed into the more familiar Magna brand; one of today's main OE component suppliers, owners of Steyr, etc.

En route to the Geneva Show from Canada, the car was slightly damaged in the shipping container, and I almost had a heart attack trying to get it repaired with just hours to go before it was revealed to the world on the first Press Day.  Oh, happy memories!

[Allemano]

Actually a trendsetting car: the Cayenne is not prettier, but not much uglier either.

[EJD1984]

I want to thank everyone!!

I've been trying to figure out for YEARS what this vehice was.

I had remember reading about it years ago, but had forgotten the name, but never this image of this monster SUV.

Does anyone remember/know what magizine featured an article on this. I vaugely remember is was something like Car & Driver or Road & Track.

[thewarlord]

I have a bit of an inside track on this car as I was involved in the launch project for it at the the Geneva Motor Show in 1989.  

I worked as a consultant specialising in the automotive industry at the time, and was appointed by Vehma to undertake some market research on the Torrero during its Geneva debut.  At the time Vehma was a fledgling Canadian car component supplier, aiming to make it big in the OE market.  The Torrero was used to showcase their talents.  It clearly worked as Vehma morphed into the more familiar Magna brand; one of today's main OE component suppliers, owners of Steyr, etc.

En route to the Geneva Show from Canada, the car was slightly damaged in the shipping container, and I almost had a heart attack trying to get it repaired with just hours to go before it was revealed to the world on the first Press Day.  Oh, happy memories!

Please, sorry me asking;

do you know who designed this car? Was its style developed internally at Vehma/Magna, or someone else did it?

Thanks.

[Allemano]

According to Roger Gloor's book this car was initiated by Magna founder Manfred Gingl. Vehma was one of five subsidiaries of Magna with design studios near Detroit. Particular designers are not mentioned in that article.

[EJD1984]

Personally I think this vehicle would still work today as a Lamborghini type SUV.

Does it still exist? I hope that it wasn't scrapped.

I did find an old Popular Science article on it.

[ImpishGrin]

Does it still exist? I hope that it wasn't scrapped.

Yes, it currently resides in the Magna HQ in Aurora, Ontario. Here's a photo with Manfred Gingl in front of the car.

do you know who designed this car? Was its style developed internally at Vehma/Magna, or someone else did it?

It was designed (exterior and interior) by DesignworksUSA, a company that has become a BMW subsidiary in 1995.

[thewarlord]

Many thanks for the design information about the car.

david.