Ford Tempo

Ford Tempo
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1984-1994
Designer	Jack Telnack
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Platform	FF/AWD CE14
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 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 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

The Ford Tempo was introduced in 1984, sharing its platform with the Escort. As a compact car, it competed with the Chevrolet 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 (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. 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. Both the Tempo and the Topaz were based upon a lengthened Ford Escort platform. Front-wheel drive and a 4-speed IB4 manual transmission were standard initially, with an optional 3-speed automatic transaxle known as the ATX or FLC.

A 5-speed MTX 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. 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, 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) L/GL/LX
• 2.3 L HSO I4, 100 hp (75 kW) and 135 ft·lbf (183 N·m) GLS/AWD (1985-91)
• 3.0 L (2982 cc) Vulcan V6, 140 hp (97 kW) and 150 ft·lbf (203 N·m) (1992-1994 optional on GL and LX, standard on GLS)

Trims

• L= base (1989-1991 only)
• GL= most popular model ( base model from 1984-1988 & 1992-1994)
• LX= Luxury
• GLS= Sport
• AWD= All-wheel drive, similar to LX

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.

External links

• Tempo Topaz Car Club of America