Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 224: A Torquier Torpedo

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 224: A Torquier Torpedo

Having already explored the pre-facelift trims of the '90s Mantle Torpedo, I decided to move the timeline forward to 1995, when an updated Torpedo II went on sale. Here it is:

Above, from top: The facelifted 1995 Mantle Torpedo II, now with a more rounded appearance on the outside, conceals a heftier punch (240 horsepower compared to 200, now on premium unleaded) and better handling thanks to wider tires, all with a minimal increase in curb weight (just 10 kilograms more than previously).

Adding 40 horsepower (and around 30 lb-ft of torque) to the basic recipe didn't compromise it one bit; on the contrary, it enhanced it, thanks to fitment of some of the earlier Evo trim's mechanical enhancements (wider tires, retuned suspension, larger brakes, etc). In addition, all of this has been consolidated into a single trim level, which now includes a CD stereo as standard and costs roughly the same as (or less than) the original base model. And with the extra power comes even more performance (0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 163 mph) - admittedly not as much as the Evo, but that should leave some headroom for a facelifted Evo II in the future.

So the Torpedo II is an even more effective package than before, and thus more of a giant-killer than it used to be. I can only imagine how much more exciting an Evo II trim based on it would be, if such a trim were to be introduced at all.