ARO 24 Series
title: "ARO 24 Series" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["aro-vehicles", "cars-of-romania", "off-road-vehicles", "sport-utility-vehicles", "all-wheel-drive-vehicles", "1970s-cars", "1980s-cars", "1990s-cars", "2000s-cars", "cars-introduced-in-1972", "cars-of-portugal", "cars-of-spain"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARO_24_Series" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | OMMMA 2011 Impressionen (6109050031).jpg |
| name | ARO 24/32 Series |
| manufacturer | ARO |
| production | 1969–2006 (Romania) |
| 1975–1995 (Portugal) | |
| 1980–1990 (Spain) | |
| 2002–2006 (Brazil) | |
| assembly | Câmpulung-Muscel, Romania |
| Tramagal, Portugal | |
| Barcelona, Spain | |
| Manaus, Brazil | |
| predecessor | ARO M461 |
| successor | ARO 10 |
| class | Off-road vehicle |
| body_style | 2-door convertible |
| 3-door SUV | |
| 4-door SUV | |
| 4-door convertible | |
| 5-door SUV | |
| 2-door pickup | |
| 4-door pickup | |
| layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive |
| engine | Petrol/Diesel/Turbodiesel engines |
| transmission | 4-speed manual |
| 5-speed manual | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| wheelbase | 2350 - |
| length | 4098 - |
| width | 1775 - |
| height | 1840 - |
| weight | 1650 - |
| aka | Cross Lander 244X (Brazil) |
| :: |
| image = OMMMA 2011 Impressionen (6109050031).jpg | name = ARO 24/32 Series | manufacturer = ARO | production = 1969–2006 (Romania) 1975–1995 (Portugal) 1980–1990 (Spain) 2002–2006 (Brazil) | assembly = Câmpulung-Muscel, Romania Tramagal, Portugal Barcelona, Spain Manaus, Brazil | predecessor = ARO M461 | successor = ARO 10 | class = Off-road vehicle | body_style = 2-door convertible 3-door SUV 4-door SUV 4-door convertible 5-door SUV 2-door pickup 4-door pickup | layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive | engine = Petrol/Diesel/Turbodiesel engines | transmission = 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | wheelbase = 2350 - | length = 4098 - | width = 1775 - | height = 1840 - | weight = 1650 - | related = | designer = | aka = Cross Lander 244X (Brazil)
The ARO 24 Series is a 4x4 off-road vehicle manufactured by ARO from 1969 to 2006 and mass produced from 1972.
ARO 240 was the first of the ARO 24 series, which eventually included many other models: the four-door 241 and 244, the 242 pick-up, the three-door 243, the 320, 330 pick-ups, and many other body trims. Last special military versions were called ARO Dragon. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/ARO_244_(1998_revision)-rear_view.jpg" caption="ARO 244 (1998 revision)-rear view"] ::
It is equipped with many different engines (both diesel and petrol options), and comes in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions. Notable improvements over the years were the introduction of Romanian Diesel engines, units equipped with Toyota engines, and units equipped with Romanian-built Turbo Diesel engines. The ARO-24s are no longer in production, as ARO was shut down.
Plans to market the ARO 244 in the United States as the Cross Lander 244X in 2005 were eventually cancelled. During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s the original Romanian ARO 4X4 Series were also produced under alternative names, often with modified running gear depending on the export market. In Portugal, they were assembled in Setúbal south of Lisbon and locally known there as the PORTARO 4X4, in Spain they were called HISPARO 4X4, with a reshaped bodyshell and better equipped.
Engines
Petrol engines
::data[format=table]
| Name | Capacity | Type | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 2RZ-FE | 2438 cc | Toyota | 140 PS at 5000 rpm | 212 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| 2.5 205HX | 2469 cc | Chrysler | 120 PS at 5250 rpm | 190 Nm at 3500 rpm |
| 2.5 L25 | 2495 cc | ARO | 83 PS at 4200 rpm | 170 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| 2.5 M-207 | 2512 cc | ARO | 67 PS at 4000 rpm | 160 Nm at 2500 rpm |
| 2.9 V6 | 2935 cc | Ford | 145 PS at 5500 rpm | 225 Nm at 3500 rpm |
| 3.0 L30 | 3007 cc | ARO | 95 PS at 4000 rpm | 196 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| 4.0 V6 | 3958 cc | Ford | 165 PS at 4400 rpm | 316 Nm at 2400 rpm |
| 2.9 V6 24V | 2932 cc | Cosworth | 207 PS at 5250 rpm | 320 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| :: |
Diesel engines
::data[format=table]
| Name | Capacity | Type | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andoria 2.4, 4C90 (cylinder diameter = 90 mm, Ricardo Comet V swirl chamber) | 2417 cc | Andoria 4C90 Diesel Indirect injection | ||
| 4CT90Turbodiesel | ||||
| 4CTi90 Turbodiesel | 69 PS at 4200 rpm | |||
| 90 PS at 4100 rpm | ||||
| 101 PS at 4100 rpm | 147 Nm at 2500 rpm | |||
| 195 Nm at 2200 rpm | ||||
| 230 Nm at 2000-2500 rpm | ||||
| 2.4 2L-T | 2446 cc | Toyota | ||
| Turbodiesel | 86 PS at 4000 rpm | 188 Nm at 2200 rpm | ||
| 2.5 XD3 | 2498 cc | Peugeot | 75 PS at 4500 rpm | 147 Nm at 2500 rpm |
| 2.5 XD3T | 2498 cc | Peugeot | ||
| Turbodiesel | 95 PS at 4150 rpm | 205 Nm at 2500 rpm | ||
| 2.5 L4 OHV | 2499 cc | VM | ||
| Turbodiesel | 101 PS at 4200 rpm | 232 Nm at 2200 rpm | ||
| 2.7 L27 | 2660 cc | ARO | 68 PS at 3800 rpm | 138 Nm at 2250 rpm |
| 2.7 DX-28 | 2660 cc | ARO | 71 PS at 3900 rpm | 152 Nm at 2250 rpm |
| 2.7 TDX-28 | 2660 cc | ARO | ||
| Turbodiesel | 87 PS at 3500 rpm | 191 Nm at 1900 rpm | ||
| 3.1 D127 | 3119 cc | UTB | 68 PS at 3200 rpm | 185 Nm at 1600 rpm |
| :: |
Versions
Off-road vehicles
- ARO 240, a 2-door soft-top cabriolet;
- ARO 241, a 4-door soft top cabriolet;
- ARO 243, a 3-door model with 8 seats;
- ARO 244, a 5-door model with 5 seats;
- ARO 246, a 5-door model with 7 seats.
Light commercial vehicles
- ARO 242, a single cab pick-up truck with short bed integrated to the body;
- ARO 320, a single cab pick-up truck;
- ARO 324, a double cab pick-up truck;
- ARO 328 Maxi;
- ARO 330, an extended single cab pick-up truck;
Other Versions
ARO produced an extensive and special variety of body styles:
- 263 (8 seats, 3 doors; model based on the 243 version with the wheelbase increased from 2350 mm to 2600 mm);
- 264 (5 seats, 4 doors; model based on the 244 version with the wheelbase increased from 2350 mm to 2600 mm);
- 266 (7 seats, 5 doors; model based on the 246 version with the wheelbase increased to 2600 mm);
- 323 Sanitară (Ambulance with a raised roof over the passenger compartment from the B-pillar back);
- 338 TC;
- 35S (ambulance with a wheelbase of 3500 mm);
- 429 TC/TP (TC=Children Transportation, TP=Public Transportation). File:ARO_243.jpg|ARO 243 van File:ARO 244 (first example built)-front view.jpg|ARO 244 (first example built)-front view File:ARO 244 (first example built)-rear view.jpg|ARO 244 (first example built)-rear view File:ARO romania (cropped).jpg|ARO 320 Pickup/flatbed File:Ciochina-Romania-transport-scolari2008.jpg|ARO 429 TC School Bus File:ARO_241_(1977_revision).jpg|ARO 241 (1977 revision) File:ARO 242 (1985-1998).jpg|ARO 242 (second facelift)
ARO Dragon
While ARO 24 series were used by the Romanian military, a military specific version called the ARO Dragon was designed and built. The ARO Dragon featured a simplified flat paneled body and came in several variants to include an armored variant. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/ARO_Dragon_(military_version).jpg" caption="ARO Dragon (military version)"] ::
The ARO Dragon Civil was a civilian version of the Dragon.
Revisions
The first generation of ARO 24, between 1972 and 1976, had Dacia 1300 headlights and round taillights similar to the ARO M461. From 1977, round headlights were used like in the IMS and the rear lights were restyled. In 1985, a new front grille and smaller round headlights were introduced. Also, they were available with double headlights, that were used mostly on the 244. In 1995, the double headlight front design was slightly restyled, and the rear lights were used Oltcit Club lamps. The last restyling, in 1998, was a slight facelift of the previous model and it introduced the so-called Toyota-type ornaments.
Gallery
File:ARO 246 (1972-2006).jpg|ARO 246 (1995 facelift) File:A_pair_of_1981_PORTARO_240_and_a_260_original_models.jpg|PORTARO 240 and 260 File:Aro 243 D. Unitat Moto Alpina Barcelona.png|Aro 243 High altitude rescue 4WD ambulance of the Alpine Motor Unit of the Red Cross, Barcelona File:Romania stamp - 1975 - 55B - ARO 240.jpg|Romanian stamp from 1975 with ARO 240 File:Aro Transport Valori (cropped).jpg|The Transport Valori (Value Transporter). The technical data is unknown and only 8 units were built. security van File:Militari romani in cadrul misiunii KFOR.jpg|ARO 241 part of KFOR with an AG-9 mounted on it, 2003 File:ARO 338 TC (1998-2006).jpg|ARO 338 TC (1998-2006) (TC=Transport Copii/Child Transportation)
References
Original Book The Complete Encyclopedia Of Four Wheel Drive Vehicles by Jiri Fiala from REBO Publishers International BV Holland 2004
Original Book 4X4 Vehicles by John Carroll from Grange Books London England 1996 Regency House Publishing Limited
References
- (31 October 2012). "SERIAL ADEVĂRUL "Prin cenuşa industriei" (episodul 3): Aro, maşina condusă către faliment. Cum a ajuns o firmă de apartament să cumpere un colos al industriei româneşti".
- (3 December 2015). "ProMotor News - Istoria ARO: gloria şi moartea chinuită a unei legende auto româneşti".
- "Seria Aro 24". Automobile Romanesti.
- "Cross Lander Unveils New Off-Road Vehicle Bound for U.S. at International Auto Manufacturer's First-Ever Dealer Meeting".
- https://www.automobileromanesti.ro/Aro/Aro_350/
- "Automobile Romanesti - Aro - Aro Dragon".
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