Honda Torneo

Honda Torneo
Overview
Production	1997 - 2001
Assembly	Sayama, Saitama, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Related	Honda Accord BMW 3 Series (E46)
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L F18B VTEC I4 2.0 L F20B SOHC VTEC I4 2.0 L F20B DOHC VTEC I4 2.2 L H22A DOHC VTEC I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,665 mm (104.9 in)
Length	4,680 mm (184.3 in)
Width	1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Height	1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Curb weight	1,390 kg (3,060 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Rafaga Honda Ascot
Successor	Honda Accord (seventh generation)

The Honda Torneo is a sedan introduced by Honda in 1997 exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, derived from the Honda Accord. While the Accord was sold exclusively at Honda Clio dealerships, the Torneo was available at the other two Honda networks, Honda Verno and Honda Primo as the successor to the Honda Ascot and Honda Rafaga, respectively.

The introduction of the Torneo continued the original approach Honda used in 1982 with the introduction of the Honda Vigor in offering a unique variant of the Accord for each of the three dealership Honda sales channels with the sportier Torneo utilizing a different front grille, headlights and tail lights, and exclusive trim packages and color choices.

With the release of the seventh-generation Accord in 2002, the Torneo nameplate was discontinued. However, the seventh-generation Accord assimilated much of the sportier character of the Torneo, making it effectively the successor of the Torneo as well as the previous generation Accord.

Trim levels and engines

The Torneo was available with HID headlights, which were uncommon at the time. Four engines were available, all equipped with Honda's VTEC technology. A few sport packages were available, including the "Euro R", the "SiR-T", and the "SiR Euro".

Honda Torneo Euro R, a sport package with very minor trim differences to the Accord Euro R.

The Euro R included an H22A engine rated at 220 bhp (160 kW), 5-speed manual transmission, Recaro seats, leather-wrapped MOMO steering wheel, helical-torsen LSD, sports suspension, sports exhaust (including 4-2-1 stainless headers) and an aluminum-alloy gear shift knob. It was also fitted with a unique factory body kit that included flares and was available in some colors not available to lower trim package Accords (such as Milano Red). The Accord and the Torneo are the same car, aside from minor cosmetic differences in the exterior. All trim levels were installed with Honda's internet-based navigation system called Internavi.

SiR-T (CF4, 1997–2000)

The SiR-T model, of which only 1100 were produced, included a 2.0L F20B engine rated for 200 PS (150 kW; 200 hp) at 7200 rpm (180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp) automatic) and 144.5 lb·ft (196 N·m) at 6800 rpm, 11.0.1 compression, 85 mm X 88 mm (Bore and Stroke) 7800 rpm redline. The H-series DOHC VTEC engines were limited to 7800 rpms. The F20B had a unique blue valve cover and like all the larger displacement Honda engines, the F20B was mounted with a tilt towards the driver. F20B engines could rev at higher rpms than H22As because it had a shorter stroke. The F20B had an 85 mm x 88 mm bore and stroke when compared to an H22A which had an 87 mm x 90.7 mm bore and stroke. The F20B was also classified as a low emissions engine.

SiR (CF4, 1997–2001)

The Accord SiR was based on the SiR-T, but used the S-Matic automatic transmission with sequential manual shift mode. The engine was rated at 180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp) but with better midrange characteristics.

Moving the gear-stick over to the right allowed manual selection of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear using up and down shift actions. The manumatic feature would hold the gear up to the rev limiter as a manual transmission would.

Demise

As sales of the Accord proved more popular than the Torneo, plus the economic effects of the Japanese asset price bubble or "bubble economy", the Torneo was discontinued in 2001, along with the dissolvement of Honda's three dealership networks Verno, Primo, and Clio three years later. The succeeding Accord also effectively assimilated the sportier character of the Torneo into one car.

External links

• Honda Torneo History (Japanese)
• Honda Torneo Product Description (Japanese)
• Honda Japan TV commercial for the Torneo