Ford Orion

Ford Orion
Production period:	1983-1993
Class :	Compact class
Body versions :	limousine
Previous model:	Ford Escort Limousine
Successor:	Ford Escort Notchback

The Ford Orion was a car model made by the car manufacturer Ford . From the summer of 1983 to the end of 1993 it represented the four-door notchback counterpart to the Ford Escort . It corresponded to the market assessment at the time that the model range of the Ford Escort also had to be assigned a notchback variant that served families or the classic clientele of Ford.

The naming as "Orion" should also refer to a separate model. In Brazil , this model was sold as the Ford Verona and, in the first generation, also as the VW Apollo .

Orion '83

1st generation
Ford Orion '83 (1983–1985)
Production period:	1983-1990
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 1.3 to 1.6 liters (44 to 77 kW) diesel engines : 1.6 to 1.8 liters (40 to 44 kW)
Length:	4213-4228 mm
Width:	1640 mm
Height:	1385-1408 mm
Wheelbase :	2400-2402 mm
Empty weight :

The first generation of the Orion was built from July 1983 to July 1990 and corresponded to the five-door Escort up to the B-pillar. However, the Orion lacked the third side window, it had a different radiator grille and the rear was also a few centimeters longer. Because the Orion was originally supposed to be positioned higher than the Escort, it was only available with 1.3 and 1.6 liter engines and only in the L, GL equipment variants and as a sports version with intake manifold injection with 77 kW (105 hp) ) available.

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  Rear view

Orion '86

Together with the escort, the Orion was given a facelift in January 1986. You could recognize the Orion by a different shape of the cooler. The rear got a new rear light geometry, and apart from a few export markets the black plastic cover between the rear lights was omitted.

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  Ford Orion '86 (1986-1990)

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  Rear view

Technical specifications

Orion '91

2nd generation
Ford Orion '91 (1990-1992)
Production period:	1990-1993
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.3–1.8 liters (44–96 kW) Diesel engines : 1.8 liters (44–66 kW)
Length:	4229 mm
Width:	1690 mm
Height:	1395 mm
Wheelbase :	2525 mm
Empty weight :

Simultaneously with the introduction of the Escort '91, the successor (Orion '91) was presented in July 1990. This time too, the Orion was missing the third side window, but the rear design was now completely aligned with that of the Escort. The original identification mark should be the front, white turn signal glasses, which the Escort received in the same year. In some countries (such as Great Britain) the Orion had a black plastic cover in the area between the rear lights.

What was unusual for a notchback sedan was that the Orion was now also available with a rear window wiper .

Orion '93

During the facelift made in September 1992, the Orion was given its own radiator grille again (middle chrome strut). The new rear design of the Escort ´93, which was revised at the same time, was not adopted for the Orion.

Despite the rather low sales figures in Germany , it should be noted that the Orion has been sold quite successfully in other European countries, especially in Great Britain .

The Orion with the diesel engine was characterized by enormous economy and toughness, it was not uncommon for vehicles to have reached the 450,000 kilometer limit with one engine.

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  Ford Orion '93 (1992-1993)

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  Rear view

Technical specifications

successor

The car was operated as the Orion until December 1993. From January 1994 to August 1998 the vehicle was sold as an Escort notchback. The rear was identical to that of the Orion, but the rest of the vehicle was the same as the '95 Escort. Only in Argentina was it still sold under the model name Orion.

The notchback version of the Ford Focus introduced at the beginning of 1999 can be regarded as the successor .

literature

• Ford Orion Instructions . Ford-Werke AG, June 1983.
• Ford owner's manual . Ford-Werke AG, April 1985.
• Hans-Rüdiger Etzold : This is how it's done , Ford Escort / Orion from 9/90 . ISBN 3-7688-0703-7 .

Web links

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

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} construction time