Ford Tempo

Ford Tempo
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1984-1994
Assembly	Kansas City, Missouri Oakville, Ontario
Designer	Jack Telnack
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout/All wheel drive
Platform	Ford CE14 platform
Related	Ford Escort Ford EXP Mercury Lynx Mercury Topaz
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Fairmont
Successor	Ford Contour

First generation
Overview
Production	1984–1987
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4 2.3 L HSC I4 2.3 L HSO I4
Transmission	4-speed IB4 manual 5-speed MTX-III manual 3-speed ATX/FLC automatic

Second generation
Overview
Production	1988–1994
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L HSC I4 2.3 L HSO I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6
Transmission	5-speed MTX-III manual 5-speed MTX-IV manual 3-speed ATX/FLC automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	99.9 in (2537 mm)
Length	176.7 in (4488 mm)
Width	68.3 in
Height	52.9 in
Curb weight	2723 lb (1235 kg)

Second generation Ford Tempo coupe

Second generation Ford Tempo sedan

The Ford Tempo was introduced for the 1984 model year. Basically, the Tempo, and its twin the Mercury Topaz were originally sedan and coupe versions of the Escort and Lynx. As a compact car, it competed with the Cavalier and Corsica (as well as the Dodge Aries and Spirit) until production ceased in 1994. Available in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan body styles, the Tempo 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. The Tempo had a sloping rear window with a third side window aft of the rear doors, but the Topaz had a more formal roofline with no rear quarter window. The Tempo was initially a front-wheel-drive car only; an all-wheel-drive model was available from 1987 to 1991. Tempo's transmissions were a 3-speed FLC automatic and a 4-speed IB4 manual.

A 5-speed MTX manual became standard in 1986 on select models with a minor redesign. Also in 1986, American models got standard CFI (Central Fuel Injection), while Canadian models continued to use 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. 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 the 3.0 L Vulcan V6 became optional. The 4-cylinder gained a slightly revised fuel injection system, very similar to the MPFI. The power steering reservoir was changed from having the fill spout next to the alternator to a remote system mounted to the right strut tower. American models (without the optional airbag) from 1988 to 1994 were equipped with power shoulder belts in the front, (except for some 1994 models that had a manual driver seat belt) while Canadian models had manual front seat belts. Canadian models also had standard tachometers while it was optional on L, GL, and LX in the US. Tachometer and trip odometer were available the Sport Gauge Cluster package, standard on the sporty Tempo GLS. The base and sport trim levels, along with AWD models, were discontinued in 1991 and 1992, leaving the mid-class and luxury trim levels, GL and LX. This was part of the Ford's plan to make way for the European Ford Mondeo-based Ford Contour (and Mercury Mystique).

Tempos were built in Oakville, Ontario 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 by the 1995 Ford Contour. The Oakville plant was retooled to build the Ford Windstar (and then Freestar) minivan. This plant currently builds the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.

Although quite humble and unassuming, these cars enjoy a bit of a cult following.

Engines

• 2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4, 52 hp (optional 1984-1986 GL)
• 2.3 L HSC I4, 96 hp-98 hp (73 kW) and 125 ft·lbf (168 N·m) L/GL/LX
• 2.3 L HSO I4, 100 hp (75 kW) and 135 ft·lbf (183 N·m) GLX/GLS/AWD (1985-91)
• 3.0 L (2982 cc) Vulcan V6, 130 hp (97 kW) and 150 ft·lbf (203 N·m) (1992-1994 optional on GL and LX, standard on GLS, in 1994 was re-rated at 135HP)

Trims

• L= Base trim level (selected regions only)
• GL= Most popular model
• LX= Luxury
• GLX= Sport (1984-1986)
• GLS= Sport (1987-1992)
• AWD= All-wheel drive, similar to GL with LX options.

Tempo/Topaz L; Both the Ford Tempo and its Mercury Topaz twin had stripped down models with absolutely no options or luxury features made from 1984 to 1991 that were both called 'L'. These were sold primarily on the Topaz in Canada, however, a few were sold to commercial businesses in the United States.

 Tempo GL; The Tempo GL is the most common trim level on the Ford Tempo. The GL had standard power locks, optional power windows, power seat belts and optional tilt steering wheel (among other options and features). The engine was the 2.3L HSC I4, however, between 1992 and 1994 the 3.0L Vulcan V6 was optional (and the HSC was standard). 
 Tempo LX; The LX model was the luxury trim level, and sported standard power (front) shoulder belts, power door locks, power windows, tilt steering wheel, optional front driver's airbag, optional trip odometer (also available on other models in the 'Sport Gauge Cluster' package) and a standard cassette player. 
 Tempo GLX; GLX Tempo's were the predecessor of the GLS trim level. GLX was available as a sport trim level from 1984 to 1986. This was not, as most people seem to believe, a 'performance option'. It was a sport appearance model, such as the modern-day Ford Fusion Sport. These Tempos had ground effects, sporty side molding and bumpers and had the optional all-leather interior and vinyl moon roof. The GLX was renamed in 1987 as the GLS. 
 Tempo GLS; While the previous GLX model was a sport option, the Tempo GLS was more performance oriented. The GLS, while retaining the standard 2.3L HS0 from the AWD model, had slightly upgraded performance parts. The GLS got more obvious ground effects, trim, bumpers and side molding. While the leather interior and retractable roof were gone, the 'GLS Sport' was available. Which had an upgraded interior (with more standard features). This was the ultimate Tempo from 1987 to 1991. Then, the big news in 1992. While the last year for all sport/performance trim levels on the Tempo and Topaz, this was the biggest year. The 1992 Ford Tempo GLS and GLS Sport boasted a standard 130HP 3.0L Vulcan V6. This was the only model and time that the 'Vulcan6' was standard, as it was optional on GL and LX after the GLS was discontinued. While the 1992 GLS was everything that a street racer (or a buyer who just wanted a little more power) could want, the sales were dismal. With models just sitting in dealer lots for months, Ford dropped the Tempo GLS (and Mercury LTS and XR5) from it's 1993 lineup. 
 Tempo AWD; In 1987 an all-new model was offered for the Ford Tempo. Simply named 'Tempo AWD', this model was made from 1987 to 1991 and was the only Tempo to have All Wheel Drive. However, this Tempo had standard All Wheel Drive. Sales were exceptional, especially in Canada (so good were sales, that the Mercury Topaz got three all wheel drive models) and Northern America. The Tempo AWD's features were essentially the standard features on the Tempo GL, with the optional features of the Tempo LX. This model also had its own appearance package, called the Tempo AWD Appearance Package. This included special badging, interior badges and (most notable) a three-inch-wide chrome strip running from front wheel to rear wheel, that read Tempo AWD (with 'All Wheel Drive' under the larger AWD writing). This is an extremely rare package, however, it will not likely be of much value until the Tempo is well into its antique years. 

 There was a very rare option available with a vinyl roof called the "Premier Edition" offered on (1992) models. Other rare options were the all leather interior option on the GLX (1985) and the (1984/1985) vinyl sun roof.

Trivia

• When the Ford Tempo was first released, it was claimed to have "the world's most advanced automotive computer" and also to have "more rear room than a Mercedes 300D" .
• The 1985 Ford Tempo was the first production car in America to include a driver's airbag. [1]
• While the car sold well, it was often criticized by journalists as being inferior dynamically and technologically to rival Japanese models, particularly the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Stanza.
• The most expensive 1994 Ford Tempo (a fully loaded LX sedan with 3.0L V6) was about $12,900, however the base model 1995 Contour was $13,990 (GL sedan with 4cyl, manual, no options).
• For a time in the early-to-mid 1990s, Ford had three of the top five selling passenger cars: Ford Escort, Ford Taurus, and Ford Tempo. (The Taurus became the number one overall in 1992.)
• Talk show host Carson Daly's first car was a Ford Tempo, he has said he drove it during high school.

External links

• Tempo Topaz Car Club of America
• Ford Tempo Database
• MSNAutos: Ford Tempo