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Revision as of 16:57, 4 November 2008
Motor vehicle| Laforza | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Rayton Fissore/Laforza |
| Also called | Rayton Fissore Magnum |
| Production | 1985-2003 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | sport utility vehicle (SUV) |
| Body style | 4-door |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.0 L V8 5.8 L V8 6.0 L V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
Laforza was an American automobile manufacturer. The company sold an Italian-built military and police body and chassis designed by Tom Tjaarda, fitted with Italian leather interior and a fuel injected Ford Windsor engine. It was marketed as a "luxury 4x4", competing with the Range Rover. The vehicle was refreshed in 1998 with a "new" design to include more modern amenities, but used the same basic body and drivetrain.
The origin of the Laforza was the Rayton Fissore Magnum 4x4 presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1985. This vehicle was based on an Iveco 4x4 40-10 frame that was shortened and lowered. The front and rear differentials, suspension, and brakes were carried over from the Iveco truck.
The body shell added additional strength to the chassis through a construction technique developed by Rayton Fissore called “UNIVIS”. The body consisted of a square tubular structure bolted to the “C” frame with 10 rubber mounts (silent block).
The first Laforzas arrived in the United States between 1988-89 with some modifications to the Magnum 4x4 base frame. The major differences included: reinforced and modified cross members, (transmission) and other details to use the Template:Auto CID Ford V8 (more commonly known as the 5.0 Liter) EFI engine and the AOD transmission, coupled with a "2wd high, 4wd high, 4wd low" Newprocess 229 transfer case.
The body underwent some minor restyling, bumpers and tail lights were different, as well as the headlights and grille.
The Magnum 4x4's leather interior was retained in the American version, but upgraded with a new type of dash and seats as well as the center tunnel and the door panels.
Some of the vehicle's design innovations included the composite integrated bumpers painted in the same color of the body, smooth roof lines without rain gutters, and a more rounded body shape.
Models
1989 to 1993
Laforza 5 liter
Engine: Ford 5.0 EFI V8 (truck version, speed density) with automatic over drive transmission (AOD) and high/low gears transfer case (Newprocess model 229)
1995 to 1998
Laforza GT
Engine: Ford V8 5.0 SEFI V8 (from the 5.0 used in Mustang GT, mass air) and few V8 5.8 SEFI (truck version), same transmission and transfer case as above. Some of these versions have been supercharged with Kennebell as optional.
1998 to 2001
Laforza Prima
Engine: Ford V8 5.0 SEFI (found on Explorer from 1998 up) and an automatic electronic transmission (AODE) and a full time 4WD transfer case (without low gears) with an Eaton Supercharger as optional.
1999 to 2003
Laforza Magnum edition
Engines:
- Ford V8 5.0 SEFI with Eaton supercharger and automatic transmission (same as the Prima model).
- GM Vortec 6.0 V8 with Eaton supercharger and a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (Hydra-Matic 4L65-E) coupled with a 2wd/4wd high/4wd low transfer case.
Gallery
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Laforza 1989 5.0 V8
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Laforza 1989 5.0 V8
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Laforza 1989 5.0 V8
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Laforza 1989 5.0 V8 side view
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Laforza 1989 5.0 V8 rear view with doors open
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Laforza 1989 5.0 V8 front 3/4
Sources
- David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles.
- Alessio Averone, www.laforzafissore4x4.bravehost.com.