Also called Laforza Body style 5-door SUV | Production 1985-2003 | |
 | ||
Manufacturer Rayton-Fissore / Laforza Assembly Cherasco, Italy
Brighton, MI (Final assembly) Class sport utility vehicle (SUV) | ||
The Rayton-Fissore Magnum is an Italian-designed and built luxury off-roader, in small scale production between 1985 and 2003. The American V8 powered versions were marketed as Laforza.
Contents
The Magnum began life intended for military and police use, but the Tom Tjaarda designed car, fitted with Italian leather interior and a range of 4, 6 and 8-cylinder engines was marketed as a "luxury 4x4" competing with the Range Rover. European-market Magnums received a range of more fuel-efficient smaller engines, to reflect European market conditions, including turbodiesels.
The vehicle was refreshed in 1998 with a facelifted design to include more modern amenities, but still used the same basic body and drivetrain.
Rayton-Fissore
The origin of the Laforza is the Rayton-Fissore Magnum 4x4, presented in July 1984. This vehicle was based on the shortened and lowered chassis of a projected medium-weight military off-roader called the Iveco "40 PM 10" (this project ended up being adopted as the Iveco VM 90). While the original Magnum prototype used the same turbodiesel engine as does the Iveco Turbodaily, the 2,445 cc Sofim turbodiesel which ended up being installed in most of the Rayton-Fissore Magnums was projected from an early stage. The front and rear differentials, suspension, and brakes were carried over from the Iveco truck, which was based on the four-wheel drive version of the Iveco Daily.
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).
Engines
The Magnum was available with two petrol engine and one diesel engine. The 2.4 liter (2393 cc) Sofim turbo diesel produces 90 to 110 PS (66 to 81 kW). The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder supercharged petrol engine from Fiat/Lancia produces 138 PS (101 kW) and the 2.5-litre (2492 cc) Alfa Romeo sourced V6 produces 160 PS (118 kW), with the V6 being marketed as the Magnum VIP.
With an updated version shown at the 1988 Turin Motor Show, the Fiat and Alfa Romeo engines were replaced with VM Motori turbodiesels and a BMW 3.4 liter inline-six and also a BMW turbodiesel.
Laforza
The first Laforza 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 4,942 cc (301.6 cu in) Ford V8 (more commonly known as the "5.0") EFI engine and the AOD transmission, coupled with a "2wd high, 4wd high, 4wd low" Newprocess 229 transfer case (select-track).
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.
1989 to 1993
Laforza 5-liter features 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 was equipped with a Ford V8 5.0 SEFI V8 (from the Mustang GT) and a few fitted with the 5.8 SEFI V8 (truck version) with the same transmission and transfer case as above. Some of these versions were fitted with an optional Kenne Bell supercharger.
1998 to 2003
Laforza Prima is fitted with the Ford V8 5.0 SEFI found on Explorer and an automatic electronic transmission (AODE) and a full-time 4WD transfer case (without low gears) with an Eaton Supercharger as optional. The Prima was renamed Laforza Magnum edition in 1999 when the Ford V8 model was joined by a General Motors 6.0-liter 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 was also offered.