Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
The third generation of the Toronado marked a serious downsizing for the once imposing personal luxury coupe offered by Oldsmobile.
During the "Malaise Era," the Toronado lost its powerful engines and its big size. But all that changed in 1978 when the 1979 model year appeared on the market. Starting with that year, the CAFE agreement came into force, and Oldsmobile had to shrink its elegant coupe. In addition, it was the first (and only) generation of this nameplate that featured a diesel engine.
The car's look was still imposing thanks to its flat front fascia fitted with four rectangular headlights and the chromed, pinned-out radiator. However, from its profile, the design team managed to create an elegant look for this vehicle with a slightly sloped-down, short deck.
Inside, the automaker installed a split bench at the front. Later on, Oldsmobile also added bucket seats to the options list. The tall dashboard featured a squared-looking instrument cluster in front of the driver and a center stalk where the audio and AC controls were placed. In the back, there was enough room for two adults on the comfortable bench.
The 1979 Toronado was the first to receive an independent rear suspension carried over from Cadillac. Thus, it was more comfortable and featured better road-holding than its predecessor. In addition, since the car was almost 1,000 lbs (450 kg) lighter than its predecessor, it offered improved fuel efficiency. Under the hood, Oldsmobile installed a choice of four engines: three with gasoline and one oil burner. Between 1979 and 1981, the transmission was a three-speed automatic, and starting with 1981, it was replaced by a four-speed auto.
ENGINE SPECS - 4.1L V6 4AT (126 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 4121 cm3 |
Power: | 93 KW @ 3800 RPM 126 HP @ 3800 RPM 125 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 209 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 283 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 205.6 in (5222 mm) |
Width: | 80 in (2032 mm) |
Height: | 54.2 in (1377 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.3/60 in (1,506/1,524 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 114 in (2896 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3536 lbs (1604 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 5.0L V8 4AT (141 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 5026 cm3 |
Power: | 104 KW @ 3600 RPM 141 HP @ 3600 RPM 139 BHP @ 3600 RPM |
Torque: | 239 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM 324 Nm @ 1600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 107 mph (172 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 205.6 in (5222 mm) |
Width: | 80 in (2032 mm) |
Height: | 54.2 in (1377 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.3/60 in (1,506/1,524 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 114 in (2896 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3726 lbs (1690 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 5.7L V8 4AT (167 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 5736 cm3 |
Power: | 122.8 KW @ 3800 RPM 167 HP @ 3800 RPM 165 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 275 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 373 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburettor naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 20.1 gallons (76.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 94 mph (151 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | P 205/75 R 15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 205.6 in (5222 mm) |
Width: | 80 in (2032 mm) |
Height: | 54.2 in (1377 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.3/60 in (1,506/1,524 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 114 in (2896 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3737 lbs (1695 kg) |