Ford Telstar
Ford Telstar | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
Also called | Mazda Capella Mazda 626 |
Production | 1982–1999 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact car (1982–1987) Mid-size car (1987–1999) |
Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon |
Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Ford Cortina Ford Sierra (South Africa) |
Successor | Ford Mondeo Mazda6 |
The Ford Telstar is an
Like the smaller
In
First generation (AR, AS; 1982–1987)
First generation (AR, AS) | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1982–1987 (Japan) May 1983 – 1987 (Australia) |
Assembly | Japan: Hōfu[3] Australia: Broadmeadows[3] New Zealand: Lower Hutt |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
Platform | Mazda GC platform |
Related | Mazda Capella/626 (GC) |
Powertrain | |
Engine | |
Transmission | 4/5-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
Ford introduced the AR series Telstar sedan and hatchback to the Japanese market in October 1982—a rebadged and lightly restyled version of the then new
The Telstar filled the gap in Ford Australia's product line-up left by the TF Cortina in 1981.[8] The Ford Meteor sedan had been positioned as a stop-gap replacement, despite occupying the segment below.[10][11]
The AR Telstar was introduced to Australia in May 1983,
At launch, features unique to the AR series TX5 Ghia included an electric drivers' seat with adjustable side bolsters and electronic dashboard with LED tachometer and digital speedometer.[16] Fluorescent vertical bars record the fuel level and engine temperature.[13] Air conditioning was optional on all models, as was power steering on all except GL, S, and TX5 manuals.[13] The S model added a height adjustable driver's seat and featured different upholstery over the GL.[8]
The AR series offered four- and five-speed manuals and three-speed automatic transmissions.
Local changes for the Australian model included front seat modifications which improved headroom, and suspension tuning.[16] The suspension was fully independent, with a coil/strut system fitted, incorporating anti-dive and negative offset geometry to aid stability in slippery conditions and under heavy braking.[13] Anti-roll bars were fitted front and rear.[13] The TX5 suspension also featured electronic variable shock absorbers—adjustable via a dashboard buttons for normal, automatic or sport.[13] Along with the 626, the Telstar was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1983.[7]
A facelifted model (the AS) arrived to Australia in September 1985.
Suspension changes for the AS series included uprated rear springs and reduction in rear anti-roll bar diameter.[19] Improvements were also made to the TX5 Ghia's adjustable suspension.[19] In terms of braking, Ghias were now fitted with four-wheel disc brakes; Telstar GL and TX5 retained front discs and rear drums.[19] Ventilated front disc brakes and semi-metallic pads were now fitted across the range to provide, in conjunction with the brake cooling ducts in the front valance, increased brake cooling capacity and reduced brake fade and squeal.[19]
In 1985, Ford sold 20,982 Telstars in Australia—the eighth best selling nameplate.[21]
In March 1986, the TX5 Turbo flagship launched in Australia, with an 87 kW (117 hp) and 200 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) engine tied to a five-speed manual.[22] Standard equipment over the Ghia trim included two-tone paint, alloy wheels, rear spoiler, three-spoke steering wheel, air conditioning, power steering, and Pioneer sound system.[23] Also in 1986, all Telstars were updated to run on unleaded petrol.[17]
In
Second generation (AT, AV; 1987–1992)
Second generation (AT, AV) | |
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Transmission | 5-speed manual 3/4-speed automatic |
Chronology | |
Successor | Ford Corsair (UA) |
The original generation Telstar was replaced in Australia in October 1987 with a refreshed version, called the AT series.
In the Australian market, the range was now imported from Japan to make room for the Capri convertible on the Broadmeadows line.[3][14] The switch from local assembly was made possible by the accumulation of import credits obtained from the export of the Capri to the United States.[3][14] The base GL sedan and hatchback carried over the AS's 2.0-litre inline-four engine producing 68 kW (91 hp), while Ghia models featured a 2.2-litre 12-valve inline-four with 84 kW (113 hp).[34] The flagship TX5 Turbo used a variation of the 2.2-litre engine, rated at 108 kW (145 hp) on premium fuel and gaining anti-lock brakes.[34] Power output for the Turbo dropped to 100 kW (130 hp) when running on regular fuel.[35]
Telstar sedans in Australia were discontinued in October 1989 due to the expense of importing them from Japan, solved by switching to the locally assembled
The two were instead sold side-by-side in the Ford range until the third generation Telstar was introduced in 1992.[33][40] Between 1990 and 1992, the Telstar (AV series) was only available as the Japanese-built, high-performance TX5 hatchback in Australia.[33] However, the Corsair proved less popular than the Telstar had been, losing sales dramatically during 1991.[41]
In New Zealand, by contrast, the range remained unchanged, although it was later complemented by the Sierra, this time imported from Belgium in small volumes as premium models, rather than assembled locally. Neither the Corsair nor the Pintara were sold in New Zealand, but a similar model, the Nissan Bluebird, was offered in the local market.
In Malaysia, the Telstar continued to be assembled by Amim Holdings after a brief hiatus, reaching the market in March 1988. It was offered as a 1.8-litre five-speed manual Ghia sedan or 2.0-litre automatic TX5 hatchback.[42] In early 1990, a facelifted model was shown, with a new, smaller grille, modified taillights and a new 12-valve engine replacing the previous 2.0-litre. The 1.8-litre continued with 90 hp (67 kW) while the new 2.0-litre engine offered 110 hp (82 kW). There were three models on offer; the 1.8 sedan, 2.0 Ghia sedan, and 2.0 Ghia TX5.[43]
In Indonesia, this generation was marketed as the "Ford Telstar Grand" (four-door sedan) and "Ford Telstar Thunder" (five-door liftback). The only engine was the carburetted, 12-valve, 2.0-liter four as per Malaysia; claimed power was 109 PS (80 kW) at 5,300 rpm while maximum torque was 165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) at 3,300 rpm. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, with a four-speed automatic an available option on the Telstar Grand.
In Japan, this generation was sold from May 1987 until October 1991;[44] the station wagon, however, was introduced in September 1990 (two years after its Capella Cargo sister) and continued to be built until October 1997. In Japan, the Telstar received 1.8- or 2.0-litre petrol fours with power from 82 to 140 PS (60 to 103 kW) or a 2-litre Comprex diesel with 82 PS (60 kW).[44] In June 1989, a twin-cam 1.8-liter engine with 115 PS (85 kW) was added, while the 2-liter DOHC engine received a 10-horsepower increase and now required higher-octane gasoline. After the sedans and liftbacks had been discontinued, the remaining station wagon lineup wa continuously updated and adjusted, with a 4WD diesel model added in August 1992 and the offroad-inspired Telstar Canoa Wagon arriving in November 1994 to capitalize on Japan's so-called "RV Boom". The Canoa corresponds to the similar Capella Wagon FX.
Third generation (AX, AY; 1991–1997)
Third generation (AX, AY) | |
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Overview | |
Also called | Ford Extol |
Production | 1991–1996 (Japan) 1991–1996 (Taiwan) 1992–1997 (New Zealand) 1993–1997 (South Africa) 1991-1994 (For some versions in Japan) |
Assembly | Japan: Hōfu Taiwan: Taoyuan New Zealand: Auckland South Africa: Pretoria |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
Platform | Mazda GE platform |
Related | |
Powertrain | |
Engine | |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Ford Corsair (UA) |
Following the introduction of the
The AX series came to Australia in December 1992. Then followed the decision by Nissan to end Nissan Pintara manufacturing in Australia during 1992, whereby Ford's rebadged version, the Corsair was also discontinued. This left the Telstar as the Ford's sole offering in the mid-size segment of the market.
This model was voted as
New Zealand, like Australia received the AX Telstar in 1992, followed by the AY in late 1994. NZ versions were offered in GLi, GLEi, Ghia sedan and TX5i, TX5 XRi hatchback forms, using 1.8 & 2.0-litre four cylinder and 2.5-litre V6 engines. The wagon version of the previous generation Telstar continued in local production along with the previous generation sedan offered as an entry-level model called the Telstar Orion. Both models retained the earlier 2.0-litre SOHC four-cylinder engine. All Telstar models were assembled alongside a similar lineup of Mazda 626 models (except for the Ford-only Orion) at the Ford-Mazda joint venture Vehicle Assemblers of New Zealand (VANZ) plant in Wiri, South Auckland.
When the first Mondeos were offered abroad, Ford New Zealand offered the four cylinder AY sedan in two trim levels: Telstar Contour and Telstar Mystique (named after the respective US Ford and Mercury versions of the Mondeo) as a replacement for the GLi and GLEi respectively. Also in the AY lineup was a Telstar Eurosport V6 sedan (replacing the V6 GLEi) and upgraded TX5i and TX5 XRi hatchback models.
A limited edition V6 sedan with tuned suspension and unique trim, known as the Telstar Radisich after the New Zealand racing driver Paul Radisich was also sold locally.[45] This was released in two runs of 100 cars each, firstly in 1994 (based on the AX GLEi) and again in 1996 (based closely on the AY Eurosport).[46] Notable features of the model are 16-inch ROH Astron alloy wheels, the 'aero' body kit (similar to the TX5 XRi) and Radisich insignia decals.
Local assembly of the Telstar ceased along with all other Ford and Mazda models in 1997 when the VANZ Auckland plant closed.[47] It was replaced in all forms by the Belgian-built Mondeo range. The Telstar was always a popular seller for Ford New Zealand.
In South Africa, the Telstar replaced the Sierra in 1993, being assembled by Samcor alongside the Mazda 626.[48] As in New Zealand, a Telstar Contour and Telstar Mystique were offered. In 1998, the Telstar was replaced by the Mondeo, which was later fully imported.
In Malaysia, the third generation Telstar arrived in August 1992. It was initially available as a four-cylinder 2.0-litre sedan or as a better-equipped hatchback (designated "TX-5") which came with a V6 engine, also of 2.0-litre displacement. The four-cylinder model was paired with a five-speed manual transmission, while the V6 received a four-speed automatic.[49] Later, the 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) V6 was also installed in the sedan and became available coupled to a manual transmission in the TX-5. In 1997, the Telstar in Malaysia received a new grille insert and the automatic transmission eventually found its way into the 4-cylinder 16-valve 2.0-litre engine variant.[50] Production ended in early 2001.[51] However, unsold stock lasted until 2003.[52]
In Indonesia, this generation was offered with the 2-liter inline-four or the 2.5-liter V6, and was sold as the Telstar Brilliant (four-door sedan) and the Telstar Challenge (five-door liftback).
Fourth generation (1994–1997)
Fourth generation | |
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Overview | |
Also called | Mazda Capella Ford Extol |
Production | 1994–1997 |
Assembly | Japan: Mazda CG platform |
Related | Mazda Capella (CG) |
Powertrain | |
Engine | |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,610 mm (102.8 in) |
Length | 4,595 mm (180.9 in) |
Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
Height | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
Between 1994 and 1997, a model known as the Telstar II was produced alongside the
Fifth generation (1997–1999)
Fifth generation | |
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turbo I4 | |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in) |
Length | 4,575 mm (180.1 in) 4,660 mm (183.5 in) (wagon) |
Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
Height | 1,400 mm (55.1 in) |
The last Telstar, based on the
The Telstar was dropped by Ford of Japan in 1999 as the company sought to differentiate itself from Mazda by concentrating on European and American Ford models. Telstars were briefly available with Mazda's four-wheel steering.
References
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- ^ Japanese Motor Business. Economist Intelligence Unit. 1994. p. 56.
Ford's Taiwanese affiliate, Ford Lio Ho, has been involved in the alliance. Ford Lio Ho makes the Ford Festiva (based on the previous generation Mazda 121), the Ford Laser and the Ford Telstar, as well as commercial vehicles based on the Mazda Bongo.
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