In 1976 the Renault Argentina's executives request a vehicle to substitute the Torino in the assembly line, in this way the R-40 was born.
It was a very complete car, the mechanics was based on the Torino's (a six cylinders motor), even the motor was the same, some of it accessories were; air conditioning, hydraulic steering address and electric lift glasses.

20 prototypes were built, they were evaluated under different road conditions, it was not strange that the factory's personnel used them for their own use, they should fill an evaluation schedule.

In 1978 the project was stopped because they decided to begin with the R-18 manufacturing ( a medium car with a 4 cylinder motor).
Nowadays there is only one car survivor of those days in the " Museo de la Industria Brig. Mayor San Martín" in Cordoba city, Argentina.
This prototype is quite simple, because neither the electric lift glasses nor the external rear-view mirror and radio antenna were installed. The cowling is made of fiberglass with welded tubes structure.
Recently this car was partially restored by the Museum.

The "Museo de la Industria" can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 13 hrs. and from 15:30 to 20:30 hrs. Address: Libertad and Pringues street, Córdoba, .