Innocenti I4

The Innocenti I4 was a compact four-door saloon produced by the Italian manufacturer Innocenti between 1964 and 1972. It was part of a series of models based on the British Motor Corporation’s (BMC) ADO16 platform, which also underpinned various vehicles marketed under brands such as Austin, Morris, MG, and others. Introduced in late 1964, the I4 was essentially a localized version of the Morris 1100, assembled under licence in Innocenti’s Lambrate factory near Milan. Unlike the earlier Innocenti IM3, which featured a unique front-end design by Pininfarina and more upscale interior appointments, the I4 retained the original British styling and was positioned as a more affordable alternative in the Italian market. The I4 was powered by a 1,098 cc inline-four engine from BMC’s A-series, producing approximately 48 horsepower. This engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and power was delivered to the front wheels. The car’s suspension utilized Hydrolastic units, contributing to a comfortable ride quality for the time. In 1966, Innocenti introduced the I4 S variant, which combined the standard I4’s bodywork with the more powerful 55-horsepower engine from the IM3, offering improved performance while maintaining the base model’s styling. The I4 and its variants were part of Innocenti’s strategy to offer a range of vehicles catering to different market segments, balancing cost and features. Production of the I4 series concluded in 1972, succeeded by the Innocenti Regent, which was based on the Austin Allegro. Throughout its production run, the Innocenti I4 contributed to the diversification of the Italian automotive landscape, providing consumers with a British-engineered vehicle adapted to local preferences and manufacturing.