Honda · 1997–2002
Honda Torneo
The Honda Torneo is a mid-size sedan introduced by Honda in 1997, exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, derived from the sixth-generation Honda Accord. While the Accord was sold exclusively at Honda Clio dealerships, the Torneo was available at the other two Honda networks, Honda Verno and Honda Primo as the successor to the Honda Ascot and Honda Rafaga, respectively. "Torneo" means tournament in Spanish. The introduction of the Torneo continued the original approach Honda used in 1982, with the introduction of the Honda Vigor in offering a unique variant of the Accord, for each of the three dealership Honda sales channels with the sportier Torneo, utilising a different front grille, headlights and tail lights, and exclusive trim packages and color choices. The Torneo nameplate was discontinued in 2002, when Honda released the seventh-generation Accord. However, the seventh-generation Accord assimilated a number of the sportier characters of the Torneo, making it effectively the successor of the Torneo and the previous generation Accord.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Honda Rafaga · Successor: Honda Accord
All Honda Torneo data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Trim levels and engines
The Torneo was available with HID headlights, which were uncommon at the time. Four engines were available, all equipped with Honda's VTEC technology. A few sport packages were available, including the "Euro R", the "SiR-T", and the "SiR Euro". The Euro R included an H22A engine rated at 220 bhp (164 kW) at 7,200 rpm and 163 ft⋅lbf (221 N⋅m) at 6,500 rpm, 5-speed manual transmission, Recaro seats, leather-wrapped MOMO steering wheel, helical Torsen limited-slip differential, sports suspension, sports exhaust (including 4–2–1 stainless exhaust manifold) and an aluminium alloy gear shift knob. It was also fitted with a unique factory body kit that included flares and was available in some colours not available to lower trim package Accords (such as Milano Red). The Accord and the Torneo are the same car, aside from minor cosmetic differences in the exterior. All trim levels were available with Honda's internet-based navigation system called Internavi. SiR-T (CF4, 1997–2000). Introduced in 1997, the SiR-T model was only available with a five-speed manual transmission and the 2.0-litre F20B engine rated 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 7,200 rpm and 196 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft) at 6,600 rpm. The F20B engine has an 11.0.1 compression ratio, 85 mm X 88 mm bore and stroke, and a 7400 rpm redline. The H-series DOHC VTEC engines were limited to 7,800 rpm. The F20B had a unique blue valve cover and like all the larger displacement Honda engines, the F20B was mounted with a tilt towards the driver. F20B engines could rev at higher rpms than H22As because it had a shorter stroke. The F20B had an 85 mm x 88 mm bore and stroke when compared to an H22A which had an 87 mm x 90.7 mm bore and stroke. The F20B was also classified as a low emissions engine. The SiR-T was replaced by the even more uncom
Demise
As sales of the Accord proved more popular than the Torneo, plus the economic effects of the Japanese asset price bubble or "bubble economy", the Torneo was discontinued in 2002, along with the dissolution of Honda's three dealership networks Verno, Primo, and Clio three years later. The succeeding Accord also effectively assimilated the sportier character of the Torneo into one car.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Honda Torneo
- Manufacturer
- Honda
- Production
- 1997–2001, 2002 (for Torneo SiR Euro)
- Assembly
- Japan: Sayama, Saitama
- Class
- Mid-size car
- Body style
- 4-door sedan
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
- Related
- Honda Accord (sixth generation)
- Engine
- Petrol:, 1.8 L F18B VTEC I4, 2.0 L F20A SOHC VTEC I4, 2.0 L F20B DOHC VTEC I4, 2.2 L H22A DOHC VTEC I4
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual
- Wheelbase
- 2665 mm
- Length
- 4680 mm
- Width
- 1720 mm
- Height
- 1440 mm
- Kerb weight
- 1390 kg
- Predecessor
- Honda Rafaga, Honda Ascot
- Successor
- Honda Accord (Japan and Europe seventh generation)
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1186664CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_TorneoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1353285056 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Torneo.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Kuha455405 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.honda.co.jp/auto-archive/torneo/2002/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.