GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

> search

Make / Model Search

Search results for: "ford" Page 316 of 323

IgnisOct 2000

Ignis

At the October ’99 Tokyo motor show, cash-strapped Suzuki displayed a stylish and modern Holden-designed and produced concept that was to finally become the long-overdue replacement for the 12-year- old Swift/Cino light car a year later – as well as a staple General Motors model worldwide (including the misguided Holden Cruze) and even a Subaru and Mazda! In many ways the front-wheel drive Ignis is an excellent city car, with a spacious and airy interior with the bonus of a high seating position and excellent vision, an eager and easy to use drivetrain (courtesy of a frugal yet feisty 60kW/106Nm 1.3-litre DOHC 16V four-cylinder engine engaged to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox) and light to handle and easy to park driving experience.Equipment levels started off a little spartan in the base GA but by mid-’03 dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning, keyless entry, a CD player and power windows were standard on the volume-selling GL.But no Ignis is sporty or fun to drive. It suffers from a slightly tinny and cheap ambience and – despite the tallish SUV-suggesting body – doesn’t realise its versatility potential despite the standard three and five-door hatchback configuration, with limited rear-seat folding permutations and not a lot of rear legroom.And in the age of the (albeit slightly more expensive) Honda Jazz, Mazda2, Ford Fiesta and Mitsubishi Colt, the Ignis’ shortcomings don’t have to be tolerated anymore in the light car category.The Ignis Sport from August ’03 – with its 83kW/143Nm 1.5-litre DOHC 16V four-cylinder engine, sports seats, firmer suspension and extra equipment – fails to ignite any fire or passion.Suzuki has been listening though and the 2005 Ignis-replacing Swift represents huge strides in all areas.

AU II FTE T-SeriesOct 2000

AU II FTE T-Series

A desperate Ford attempted to resuscitate its faltering Falcon fortunes by making the rear appear less saggy – a squarer rear bumper and boot number plate valance helped, as did larger wheels and tyres.Inside there was classier cabin trim and extra standard features.Suspension and ride qualities were improved and extra sound deadening brought on greater refinement.On the safety front, a passenger airbag and seatbelt pretensioners were made standard.Service intervals were extended from 10,000km to 15,0000, with free servicing for 60,000km.For this update FTE added a revised version of the 225kW/435Nm 5.0 Windsor V8 engine to all three variants, as well as new wheels, a five-speed manual option, traction control to automatic versions, improved brakes, upgraded audio and leather trim, and new colours.

S40 and V40 Phase IIAug 2000

S40 and V40 Phase II

More than just the minor facelift (look for new wheel arches, clear-glass headlights and tail-lights), the Phase II S40/V40 featured a wider and longer track, better passive and active safety, more refined and efficient engines, a five-speed auto to replace the old four-speed unit and significantly improved front suspension.Power outputs were now: 90kW/170Nm 1.8 (as before) a 100kW/190Nm 2.0 DOHC 16V with VVT a low-pressure turbo 121kW/240Nm 2.0 and a bigger 147kW/300Nm 2.0 for the T4. But it still wasn’t enough against its ever-evolving prestige rivals.Special editions included the 100kW 2.0 Sport from early ’02 and the well-equipped 2.0 Aktiv from mid-’03.The Ford C1-Technologies platform that also spawned the Focus II and Mazda3 formed the basis for the S40/V40 replacement in June ‘04 – with the latter being renamed V50 in the process.

S40 and V40 Phase IIAug 2000

S40 and V40 Phase II

More than just the minor facelift, (look for new wheel arches, clear-glass headlights and taillights), the Phase II S40/V40 featured a wider and longer track, better passive and active safety, more refined and efficient engines, a five-speed auto to replace the old four-speed unit and significantly improved front suspension.Power outputs were now: 90kW/170Nm 1.8 (as before) a 100kW/190Nm 2.0 DOHC 16V with VVT a low-pressure turbo 121kW/240Nm 2.0 and a bigger 147kW/300Nm 2.0 for the T4. But it still wasn’t enough against its ever-evolving prestige rivals.Special editions included the 100kW 2.0 Sport from early ’02 and the well-equipped 2.0 Aktiv from mid-’03.The Ford C1-Technologies platform that also spawned the Focus II and Mazda3 formed the basis for the S40/V40 replacement in June ‘04 – with the latter being renamed V50 in the process.

BC RioJul 2000

BC Rio

REMEMBER the first Mazda 121 hatchback from the latter 1980s? To jog any memories try a stint in the 2000-2005 Kia Rio generation.The BC Rio was a re-bodied Kia Avella, a car we know in Australia as the 1994-2000 WB-WF Ford Festiva.Since Ford and Mazda owned a 16.9 per cent share of Kia Motors before Hyundai bailed it from debt-related oblivion in 1998, most of Kia’s cars were ex-Mazda cast-offs. And sure enough, the Avella was built in the 1986 121 platform, although it used many of the hard points of the famous 1990 121 Bubble.With such a heritage the BC Rio might have been a pleasant little light car, except the heavy 21st Century body, combined with a low-cost focus build and engineering, made for a sub-standard light car.A version of the 121 Bubble’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine – mated to a slick four-speed automatic or rubbery five-speed manual gearbox – provided 74kW of power and 135Nm of torque.Air-conditioning was only standardised from September ’01, but most will have this, along with a driver’s side airbag, central locking, power steering and cloth trim.Two modern and interesting looking (and long for their class) body sizes were offered – a five-door hatchback or a pert four-door sedan.But there was nothing remotely contemporary about the way the BC Rio’s refinement, ride, dynamics or quality feel.

Search results pages:

GoAuto Search Words

Search will attempt to find all articles within the system that contain any or all words you are looking for.

You can include words like "and" + "or" for boolean style searching. Some search examples as follows:

  • "Ford v8" - Results will contain the text as it appears in the search "Ford v8".
  • "Ford and v8" - Results will have both "Ford" and "v8" within its contents but may not be sequential as per previous example.
  • "Ford or Holden and v8" - Results found will contain "v8" and also contain either "Ford" or "Holden".

You may also use wildcards represented by an asterisks. For example:

  • "Turbo*" - will find all documents that contain words like "Turbocharged", "Turbo-Diesel".
  • "Ford and v*" - Results will have both "Ford" and any word that has "V", so you may find documents about Volvo that mention Ford.

Please note: Due to the number of articles, searches may take a few moments to respond.

Research cars by brand

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here