Oldsmobile Toronado: История и Эволюция Модели

The Oldsmobile Toronado is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992 over four generations. The Toronado was noted for its transaxle version of GM's Turbo Hydramatic transmission, making it the first U. S. produced front wheel drive automobile since the demise of the Cord 810/812 in 1937. The Toronado used the GM E platform introduced by the rear wheel drive Buick Riviera in 1963 and adopted for the front wheel drive 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. The three models shared the E platform for most of the Toronado's 26 year history. The name "Toronado" had no prior meaning and was originally selected for a 1963 Chevrolet show car.

The third generation Toronado was substantially downsized, losing nearly and almost in length. Reflecting its length and wheelbase, it came equipped with the smaller Oldsmobile V8. The engine was rated at 170 HP/270 lb. ft. torque giving it a top speed of over and a acceleration time of 9.4 seconds. This was considered one of the faster times for that era. A V8 (140 HP) was introduced in 1980, and a larger version of the Buick V6 (125 HP) shared with the Riviera was made available from 1981 to 1984, but it proved unpopular due to its slow acceleration. Also offered in these years was Oldsmobile's new diesel V8, that is based on the division's gasoline powered V8, but with added block material. This engine was novel and economical, and sales were initially good. The diesel engine acquired a terrible mechanical reputation, becoming a genuine black eye for Oldsmobile. Many cars which originally came diesel equipped were eventually converted to gasoline engines when disgusted owners finally threw in the towel. The engine was revised through its life, which fixed many issues that hurt its reputation, but it was too late and the engine was eventually dropped. The three speed Turbo Hydra Matic automatic transmission was standard equipment from 1979 to 1981 and replaced by the four speed Turbo Hydra Matic 325 4L overdrive unit from 1982 to 1985. The 307 cubic inch V8 (a smaller displacement version of the 350 Rocket), was standard on 1985 Toronados. Independent rear suspension (designed by Cadillac engineers) was adopted for the new car, which helped to increase usable rear seat and trunk space in the smaller body, as well as improved handling over previous Toronados with no sacrifice in ride quality. Rear disc brakes were optional. In addition to the base Toronado Brougham, various trim packages were available under the XSC (1980–81) and Caliente (1984–85) names were offered along with choices of velour, leather upholstery, even sueded leather inserts and digital instrumentation. The XSC offered individual front bucket seats, as opposed to the traditional split bench front seat usually installed. The third generation of the Toronado was also made into a convertible by the American Sunroof Company, with a power operated cloth top. Reclining backrests were an option. In mid 1987, Oldsmobile attempted to bolster sagging Toronado sales by introducing a sportier model marketed as the Troféo, which featured standard leather bucket seats, faux dual exhaust, more aggressive styling, and a stiffer suspension (the highly regarded corporate FE3 package, with retuned shocks, struts and other components). For 1988, changes for the Troféo included new seats and monochromatic paint; both Toronado and Troféo used larger climate control buttons and rear three point seatbelts. Additionally, power increased with the introduction of the new Buick LN3 V6 engine. Optional wire wheel covers were no longer offered. Toronado and Trofeo models included the FE3 suspension with standard aluminum wheels. For model year 1989, the Troféo was no longer marketed as the Toronado. Options included the Visual Information Center: a dash mounted touchscreen CRT that controlled the vehicle's HVAC system, radio, trip computer and interface to the optional integrated hands free cell phone. The Troféo also received standard anti lock brakes, a new steering wheel with controls for radio and climate control, and standard bucket seats with console or an optional split bench. For 1990, the hood was the only carryover sheet metal as Oldsmobile designers redesigned the body, increasing the overall length by about , enlarging the trunk. A driver side airbag was standard equipment. The 1991 models had increased horsepower, and remote keyless entry and anti lock brakes were now standard. Ultrasuede upholstery was an option. The optional moonroof no longer required ordering bucket seats, however, a fully digital instrument cluster was now only available on Toronado models equipped with a front bench seat. In 1992, General Motors (GM) and Avis Rent a Car pilot tested a GPS navigation system in select rental Troféo models equipped with the touchscreen at the Orlando International Airport in Florida. The pilot systems included the built in cellular phone and a computer synthesized voice guidance system. Named "TravTek", the system was monitored by AAA via an antenna mounted on the car's trunk, and included directions to AAA locations around the Orlando area. 1992 models again offered optional wire wheels and received a stiffer standard suspension, the formerly optional FE3 package. Oldsmobile discontinued the Toronado and Troféo at the end of the 1992 model year, with the last Toronado rolling off the assembly line on May 28, 1992. The Toronado was ultimately replaced in the lineup in early 1994 by the Aurora sports sedan, which made its debut as a 1995 model and shared its platform with the eighth and final generation of the Buick Riviera.

During the late 1960s (1968–70), the only Oldsmobile professionally made into a limousine was the Toronado, known as the American Quality Coach (AQC) Jetway 707, with the 707 moniker a nod to the Boeing 707. The 707 rode on six wheels, and was 28 ft long with a 185 inch wheelbase. To capitalize on the aircraft theme, the passengers each sat on individual bucket seats. Between 52 and 150 were believed to have been built, and a black one can be seen in a traffic scene in the 1976 movie All the President’s Men.

The 67 X (also Toronado 67X, Esso 67X) is a Canadian built automobile, based on the Toronado, that was designed and manufactured by automobile customizer George Barris for Canada's Expo 67, where they were raffled off in a contest sponsored by Esso. Only four of these vehicles were ever made, but they included swiveling seats, a sofa, and even a refrigeration unit, with an overall sleek looking design. Commercials for this vehicle were aired in the Stanley Cup Playoffs final game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. In April 2009, one of these cars came up for auction on eBay.