Ford Tempo
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The Ford Tempo was introduced in 1984 as a compact car. Originally Ford's answer to the Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Aries, it shared its platform with the Escort. Available in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan body styles (no station wagon variant was offered), the Tempo (and the similar Mercury Topaz) was an early example of the design philosophy that would bring about the revolutionary 1986 Ford Taurus; both the Tempo and the Taurus were designed by Jack Telnack. Both the Tempo and the Topaz were based upon a lengthened Ford Escort platform. Front-wheel drive and a 4-speed manual transmission were standard initially, with an optional 3-speed automatic transaxle known as the ATX.
A 5-speed manual became standard in 1986 with a minor redesign. Also in 1986, American models got standard CFI (Central Fuel Injection), while Canadian models used a 1-barrel carburetor through 1987. All-wheel drive was an option starting in 1987. It received a major redesign in 1988 that resembled the Ford Taurus, and was now intended to compete with the then-new Chevrolet Corsica, Chevrolet Beretta and the 1989 Dodge Spirit. The diesel engine was gone, but newer MPFI (Multi-Port Fuel Injection) was standard on the remaining gasoline I4 engine. In 1992, another minor redesign changed the front and rear fascias slightly, and a 3.0 L Vulcan V6 became optional. The 4-cylinder gained a slightly revised fuel injection system, very similar to the MPFI. American models (without the optional airbag) from 1988 to 1994 were equipped with power shoulder belts in the front, while Canadian models had manual front seatbelts. Canadian models also had standard tachometers while it was optional in the US, but standard on the GLS sporty model.
Tempos were built in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and in Kansas City, Missouri. In the late 1980s and the early 1990s, the Tempo was among the top five selling sedans in North America, and was tied with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for first place in J.D. Power and Associates initial quality survey (1992). The Tempo was the first North American-made car to offer a driver's side airbag (since GM offered them in full-size GM cars from 1974 to 1976, which proved unsuccessful). The Tempo was replaced in 1994 by the 1995 Ford Contour. The Oakville plant was retooled to build the Ford Windstar minivan.
Engines:
- 2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4 (optional 1984-1986 GL)
- 2.3 L HSC I4, 98 hp (73 kW) and 124 ft·lbf (168 N·m) GL/LX
- 2.3 L HSO I4, 100 hp (75 kW) and 135 ft·lbf (183 N·m) GLS/AWD
- 3.0 L (2982 cc) Vulcan V6, 130 hp (97 kW) and 150 ft·lbf (203 N·m) (1992-1994 optional in GL, LX, and standard on GLS)
- GL=base model
- GL=(Premium Edition Package)(1992-1994)
- LX=luxury
- GLS=sport
- AWD=all wheel drive
External links
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