A Journey Back in Time: Exploring the Magna Vehma Torrero Concept SUV

The Puzzle Solved - Solving long-standing mysteries is a delight like no other. Several years ago, I stumbled upon a picture of a distinctive SUV while browsing the internet, sparking my curiosity. I scoured the web for information about this SUV but came up empty-handed. However, recently, my quest for knowledge finally bore fruit.

The Magna Vehma Torrero is a super luxury SUV concept that was far from ordinary, built by a Canadian company Vehma International, and debuted at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Auto.cz)

The vehicle in question is the Magna Vehma Torrero, a super luxury SUV concept that was far from ordinary, and it graced the late 1980s. It was a time when the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, and Maserati Levante were still a distant dream. Perhaps you recall the Lamborghini LM002, produced in limited numbers during that era, which can be deemed unique in its own right, deserving comparison with the enigmatic SUV concept at hand.

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This exceptional concept car was the brainchild of a Canadian company. As a nation, Canada had virtually no automotive industry of its own. Thus, when this futuristic-looking SUV concept (as it was not referred to at the time) made its debut, it took the world by surprise. The grand reveal took place at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show. Vehma International, a subsidiary of the Canadian auto parts giant, Magna International, spearheaded the entire engineering process, from inception to prototype production. The Vehma Torrero super SUV aimed to showcase the capabilities of the Ontario-based company in designing and manufacturing premium vehicles on an international scale.

The Magna Vehma Torrero. (Picture from: CanadianAutomotiveMuseum)

Back then, the Vehma Torrero was available to interested buyers for a price exceeding $100,000. For that sum, you could acquire a vehicle equipped with top-notch amenities and cutting-edge technology, capable of conquering even the most treacherous terrains. The automaker claimed a highway top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h), making it an exceedingly versatile car.

The Magna Vehma Torrero Prototype on display at the 2023 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. (Picture from: TheGlobeAndMail)

Looking at the available images of the Vehma Torrero, it's hard to escape the notion that it still looks futuristic today, even after decades have passed. In 1988, it must have been a true spectacle on the streets, considering the state of automotive production during that era. Its three-door design gives it an otherworldly appearance. The front end is dominated by a sizable bumper, housing four main headlights. Additionally, round fog lights complemented the lower section of the bumper.

The interior of the Magna Vehma Torrero Prototype, with a fax machine and mobile phone. (Picture from: TheGlobeAndMail)

The concept's body featured a distinctive two-tone scheme, with the cabin's glazing solution drawing attention. The glass extended over the pillars, akin to later production models like the Citroën XM and Subaru SVX. The Vehma Torrero also sported side glass cutouts on its doors, which were the only ones that could be opened. This feature, commonly seen in racing cars, was likely chosen to optimize the vehicle's aerodynamics, much like the Subaru SVX.

To facilitate entry into the vehicle, the front seats of the Magna Vehma Torrero could swivel, allowing the front part of the seats to face the door. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Underpinning the Vehma Torrero was a steel space frame, expertly welded from pipes of varying cross-sections. The manufacturer employed reinforced composites for the exterior panels, presumably to reduce the vehicle's weight. Nevertheless, the car still tipped the scales at a hefty 2,223 kg, significantly more than today's luxury SUVs.

The Magna Vehma Torrero position at the pinnacle of automotive technology was further emphasized by its cabin and equipment. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

What truly set the Vehma Torrero apart was its powertrain. Nestled under the front hood was an eight-cylinder engine boasting a remarkable 8.1-liter displacement and an output of 532 hp (391 kW). This extraordinary powerplant was crafted by Vehma's Eagle Engine Co. units in California. It defied expectations, featuring a DOHC V8 configuration, with each cylinder housing four valves and even two spark plugs, essentially a twin-spark setup. The Canadians claimed a maximum torque of 770 Nm.

The Magna Vehma Torrero powered by an eight-cylinder engine boasting a remarkable 8.1-liter displacement and an output of 532 hp (391 kW).. (Picture from: DeviantArt)

The engine was mated to an automatic transmission, positioned just behind it, with power directed to the rear axle via a unique transfer unit with an inter-axle differential. Subsequently, each axle had its dedicated driveshaft, with the front axle being driven from back to front. The Vehma Torrero employed two articulated driveshafts, arranged one atop the other, reminiscent of the contemporary Nissan GT-R's design. The vehicle featured permanent all-wheel drive.

The Magna Vehma Torrero's body featured a distinctive two-tone scheme, with the cabin's glazing solution drawing attention. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)

The Torrero's position at the pinnacle of automotive technology was further emphasized by its cabin and equipment. To facilitate entry into the vehicle, the front seats could swivel, allowing the front part of the seats to face the doors.

In 2022, Magna retained one of the two of the Vehma Torrero ever built, preserving it as a display piece and generously donating it to the Canadian Automotive Museum. (Picture from: Magna)

Inside, advanced audio equipment with 12 speakers, a cassette and CD player, and an array of entertainment features were at the owner's disposal. The cabin also accommodated a color television receiver, a navigation system, a telephone, a personal computer, and a fax machine – all the entertainment and communication technology one would expect in a household of that era. Philips and International Automotive Design played pivotal roles in these innovations. A "Lazy Susan" table-style rotary keyboard, located in front of the gear selector alongside a keyboard with an integrated telephone display, simplified the operation of these systems.

Underpinning the Vehma Torrero was a steel space frame, expertly welded from pipes of varying cross-sections. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)

Upon the concept's unveiling, the Canadian automaker anticipated small-scale production between 1992 and 1993. However, this vision never materialized, leaving the Vehma Torrero as a concept car. In 2022, Magna retained one of the two ever built, preserving it as a display piece and generously donating it to the Canadian Automotive Museum.

In the world of automotive history, the Magna Vehma Torrero stands as a testament to what might have been, a tantalizing glimpse of the road not taken in the evolution of luxury SUVs. The Torrero's unique design, advanced technology, and powerful engine make it a remarkable piece of automotive heritage, even as it remains a rare and intriguing concept car, embodying the spirit of innovation that drives the industry forward. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MAGNA | CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTSCAR | GTPLANET.NET | STORY-CARS | HOTCARS | DEVIANTART | CARSTYLING.RU | AUTO.CZ | THE GLOBE AND MAIL ]

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