Ford Probe

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Ford Probe
Production period: 1988-1997
Class : Sports car
Body versions : Combi coupe
Previous model: Ford EXP
Successor: Ford Cougar

The Ford Probe is a sports coupe from the Ford Motor Company . It was produced in Flat Rock , Michigan ( USA ) from summer 1988 to fall 1997 .

A fundamental revision of the model took place in autumn 1992. It was planned to close the gap between the Ford Mustang and the rest of the model range and should replace the Mustang in the long term.

The sample was a joint project with Mazda and was based on the Mazda GD platform (1988–1992) and the Mazda GE platform (1992–1997). Technically, it largely corresponded to the Mazda Capella C2 and was similar to the MX-6 . The first generation was produced by Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA Corp. AutoAlliance International, Inc. was responsible for the production of the second generation .

From autumn 1998 the Ford Cougar was offered as a successor to the sample.

Probe '89 (1988-1992)

1st generation
Ford Probe GL (1988-1992)

Ford Probe GL (1988-1992)
Production period: 1988-1992
Engines:
Otto engines : 2.2–3.0 liters
(85–108 kW)
Length: 4496 mm
Width: 1735 mm
Height: 1321 mm
Wheelbase : 2515 mm
Empty weight : 1350 kg

In August 1988, production of the first Ford Probe (internally: Probe '89 ) began, which was introduced to the North American market at the end of 1988 .

In Germany the first model generation of the sample was not officially introduced. However, starting in December 1990, Ford imported a number of vehicles intended for the US market. These were converted by installing a transmission oil cooler, taillights with yellow indicators, removing the third brake light, disabling the daytime running lights and adding towing eyes, and were officially offered by German Ford dealers. These vehicles were exclusively the GT model with the 2.2-liter turbo engine that delivered 108 kW.

Engines

model 2.2 GL / LX 2.2 GT Turbo 3.0 LX
Construction period 08 / 1988-09 / 1992 08 / 1988-09 / 1992 10 / 1990-09 / 1992
Displacement 2184 cc 2184 cc 2986 cc
cylinder 4th 4th V6 ( Vulcan )
Valves 12 12 12
power 85 kW (115 hp) at 4700 min -1 108 kW (147 hp) at 4300 min -1 104 kW (141 hp) at 4800 min -1
Torque 180 Nm at 3000 min -1 258 Nm at 3500 min -1 217 Nm at 3000 min -1
acceleration 7.9 s 9.2 s
Top speed 180 km / h 225 km / h 209 km / h
Power transmission Front-wheel drive (5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic)
Fuel tank 57 l (of which approx. 8 l reserve)
Consumption
(third mix)		 13.9 l
Weight 1232 kg 1350 kg 1350 kg

Furnishing

The vehicle was equipped as standard with a speed-dependent adjustment of the chassis and the power steering . In Germany, the equipment was much more extensive: ABS , electric windows , central locking, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and electric seat belts were standard. A folding and removable glass roof, air conditioning and metallic paintwork were available for an extra charge .

Many of the extras offered in North America were not available in Germany, including leather upholstery, a third brake light, a digital speedometer, on-board computer with VMM ( Vehicle Maintenance Monitor ), cruise control and a premium sound system consisting of double DIN radio with cassette and CD, amplifier and subwoofer . In addition, door locks and make-up mirrors were illuminated, the driver's seat electrically adjustable and the air conditioning system electrically adjustable. The vehicle could also be ordered with a completely blue or red interior.

Colours

The sample was offered in Germany with three different plain paints, in white, black and Rio red. In addition, there were two different metallic finishes: light gray titanium and dark gray titanium. In the United States , there were also many colors to choose from, such as: B. Midnight Blue, Sahara Gold, Turquoise and Electric Red.

  • Rear view

  • Sample 2.2 GL (YOC 1989)

  • Sample GT

Probe '93 (1992-1997)

2nd generation
Ford Probe 24V (1992-1997)

Ford Probe 24V (1992-1997)
Production period: 1992-1997
Engines: Gasoline engines :
2.0–2.5 liters
(85–120 kW)
Length: 4544 mm
Width: 1733 mm
Height: 1315 mm
Wheelbase : 2614 mm
Empty weight : 1215-1295 kg
Rear view

The second model generation of the Probe (model T22 ), also known as Probe II , which was manufactured from October 1992 and presented in January 1993 , was initially not built for the European market. The second generation is a typical 2 + 2 coupé with front-wheel drive, which was offered in two versions: with a two-liter four-cylinder 16V and 85 kW and a 2.5l V6-24V with 120 kW.

All vehicles offered at dealerships in Germany from July 1993 onwards, like the previous model, were imported by Ford and specially converted for German road traffic. An EU version (model ECP ) was only introduced at the end of 1994, but it was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission .

Engines

model 2.0 l 16V 2.5 l 24V
Construction period 12 / 1993-09 / 1997 10 / 1992-09 / 1997
Displacement 1991 cc 2497 cc
cylinder 4th V6
Valves 16 24
Bore × stroke 83.0 x 92.0 mm 84.5 x 74.2 mm
compression 9.0: 1 9.2: 1
power 85 kW (115 hp) at 5500 min -1 120 kW (163 hp) at 5500 min -1
Torque 170 Nm at 4500 min -1 216 Nm at 4850 min -1
acceleration 10.6 s 8.0 s
Top speed 204 km / h 220 km / h
Fuel tank 59 l (of which approx. 9 l reserve)
Weight 1215 kg 1280-1295 kg

Both the four-cylinder in - line engine and the V6 engine met the Euro 1 emissions standard until 1994, and then Euro 2 from 1995.

Wheels and tires

16V - 6J x 15 light alloy wheels with 205/55 R15

24V - 7J x 16 light alloy wheels with 225/50 R16

Furnishing

The equipment was just as extensive as in the first model generation, in addition to power steering, the car had central locking, power windows, a height-adjustable leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and windscreen wipers with variable wiper intervals. In the interior there were sports seats in the front with lumbar support, a split folding rear bench seat (50:50) and, in the six-cylinder model, air conditioning. From 1994, the car also had an alarm system with immobilizer, a digital clock and side indicators in the front fenders. The standard safety equipment consisted of ABS and a driver airbag; from 1994 there was also a passenger airbag as standard. Furthermore, an audio system with stereo radio cassette device 2006 with four loudspeakers and electrical antenna was part of the standard equipment.

For a surcharge, there was metallic paint, an electric sunroof and, from 1995, a rear spoiler painted in the same color as the car, leather upholstery for the Medici special model and CFC-free air conditioning for the 16V sample.

Colours

The Probe II was initially offered in the following paint finishes: white, Rio red and black, silver metallic, calypso green metallic, electric blue metallic. In the following years the color palette changed as follows: Rio red and black, laser red metallic, space blue metallic, opal green metallic, ice silver metallic.

literature

  • Joachim Kuch: Ford in Germany since 1925. With contribution from Stefan Beermann. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-613-02345-8 , pp. 149-151.

Web links

Commons : Ford Probe  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files