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Search results for: "ford" Page 319 of 324

KaNov 1999

Ka

The smallest Ford ever sold in Australia was never going to be a success. It didn’t offer five doors or an automatic option, only sat four people and didn’t have much boot space.Its only engine was an ancient 43kW/100Nm 1299cc lump that can be traced back to the 1959 Ford Anglia 105E, and it had very funny styling.So it was no laughing matter for Ford that Australians ignored the little Ka to death, especially as it had to hold the fort after its (inexplicably) popular, Korean-built (by Kia) Festiva supply died soon after Hyundai took control during 2000.But if you cherish driving, individual design or value for money, the Ka is already a coveted classic.A superbly balanced steerer and handler, with a sporty gearshift many “sports” cars would kill for, the Spanish-assembled Ka shone dynamically, even if its eager and spirited 1.3 couldn’t really keep up with rivals that were often 50 per cent more powerful.And it offered plenty of space for four adults, a reasonably versatile load area, dual airbags, power steering, air-conditioning and – until December 2000 – a sunroof and CD player.After that, Ford deleted the roof and added a second model, the Ka2, with everything plus keyless entry, power windows and painted bumpers, leaving a base entry-level model that was then pitched (still unsuccessfully) at under $14,000.In many ways the verve and style of the Ka lives on in its larger, five-door, auto-optional German-built Fiesta successor, which shouldn’t be a surprise since the 1995-2002 version provided the platform from which the Ka was created.Ironically, it still sells very strongly in Europe and South America today.

SW CougarOct 1999

SW Cougar

FORD never really found a way to successfully replace its classic 1970s Capri coupe, and the Cougar – though a worthy effort – was no exception.Like all its predecessors, the Cougar was spun off an existing Ford family car. In this case it was the first-generation Mondeo, built from 1993 to 2000.It was a good starting point too, since the front-wheel drive Mondeo was a dynamic yardstick throughout its lifetime.But the Cougar was built in North America, and was styled inside and out to appeal to Americans.And in the face of wild competition like the 1999 Honda Integra Type S or the excellent last Toyota Celica, the Ford fell short.For starters it was set-up as a fine-handling grand tourer, but was laden with lots of weight-adding gear. And so the smooth and willing but not very punchy 125kW/220Nm 2.5-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 had its work cut out for it.Yet equipment levels were high – and included anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, traction control, dual front and front-side airbags, power steering, climate control air-conditioning, power windows, remote central locking, alloy wheels and sports seats.Sales never took off, despite good reviews, as the old Celica market was instead going for compact 4WD wagons.

NCP10R /NCP12R EchoOct 1999

NCP10R /NCP12R Echo

Toyota’s replacement for the competent but dull Starlet couldn’t have been bolder. Or better at the time.The Echo (Yaris in Europe, Vitz in Japan) was designed to conquer Europe and its legion of light car “superminis” headed by the VW Polo, Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa/Holden Barina and Peugeot 206.To that end Toyota Europe engineered a strong and versatile three and five-door hatchback, while Japan devised the shockingly dowdy and tippy-toed four-door Echo Sedan that was meant to appeal to American and Asian markets. It bombed in both.Made in Japan rather than in France, Aussie-bound Echo hatchbacks were powered by an eager 63kW/122Nm 1.3-litre DOHC 16V Variable Valve Timing (VVT) four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.It quickly shot to the top of its class, aided by a spacious and versatile interior, agreeable dynamics, a comfy ride and space-age (albeit divisive) digital instrumentation.But base models hatchbacks were spartan, with only a driver’s airbag and cassette player included.The much-needed power steering wasn’t made standard until October ’02, while safety gear like a passenger airbag and anti-lock brakes were only available via a costly Safety Pack.From March ’01 the Echo Sedan’s 80kW/142Nm 1.5-litre DOHC 16V VVT engine was slightly reworked, along with the suspension, steering, cabin trim and wheels, for the manual-only Echo Sportivo hatchback.Despite these additions though it wasn’t a very convincing baby hot-hatch.

LW MPVSep 1999

LW MPV

Very much developed in the American Chrysler Voyager mould, Mazda’s second generation MPV shared nothing with its slightly offbeat predecessor. It featured a transverse mounted front-wheel drive layout that was based on the 1991-1997 Mazda 626 V6 – a necessary economy for the post-bankrupt Ford-controlled Mazda, particularly as that generation 626 was still produced in the US until 2002. The totally redesigned body eschewed the old car’s wide-opening rear doors for people-mover conventional sliding rear doors, but it was more space efficient despite now only capable of seating seven all-up. All rear seats could now be removed. Power came courtesy of a US Ford-derived 129kW/227Nm 2.5-litre quad-cam 24-valve Duratec V6 engine (shared with the Ford Cougar) that was allied to a new four-speed automatic gearbox.Torque dropped compared to the old model, but then so did weight – by nearly 100kg. More cost cuts were clear with the old MPV’s rear disc brakes giving way to less efficient drums, although anti-lock brakes were still included. The standard features list included dual air-conditioning, cruise control, trip computer and alloy wheels.

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