Mercury Topaz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mercury Topaz | |
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| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Production | 1984–1994 |
| Assembly | Claycomo, Missouri Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Predecessor | Mercury Zephyr |
| Successor | Mercury Mystique |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Ford CE14 platform |
| Designer | Jack Telnack |
| First generation | |
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| Production | 1984–1987 |
| Engine(s) | 2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4 2.3 L HSC I4 2.3 L HSO I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed IB4 manual 5-speed MTX-III manual 3-speed ATX/FLC automatic |
| Related | Ford Escort Ford EXP Ford Tempo Mercury Lynx |
| Second generation | |
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| Production | 1988–1994 |
| Engine(s) | 2.3 L HSC I4 2.3 L HSO I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed MTX-III manual 5-speed MTX-IV manual 3-speed ATX/FLC automatic |
| Wheelbase | 99.9 in (2537 mm) |
| Length | 177.0 in (4496 mm) (sedan) 176.7 in (4488 mm) (coupe) |
| Width | 68.3 in (1735 mm) |
| Height | 52.9 in (1344 mm) (sedan) 52.8 in (1341 mm) (coupe) |
| Fuel capacity | 15.9 US gallons (60.2 L/13.2 imp gal) |
| Related | Ford Escort Ford EXP Ford Tempo |
The Topaz was the Mercury version of the Ford Tempo. Both vehicles replaced the Fox-body Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr.
Contents |
[edit] History
Both models were introduced in late 1983 for the 1984 model year; the compact Topaz and Ford Tempo were early examples of the design philosophy that would bring about the revolutionary 1986 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. The body structure and power-train design borrowed heavily from the Ford Escort, but due to the larger size of the Topaz there were few common components. The Topaz shared the Tempo's standard 4-speed IB4 manual transmission and optional 3-speed FLC automatic. In late 1985, a 5-speed MTX-III manual became standard and the 4-speed IB4 was discontinued. Topaz and Tempo both were based on the Escort-derived CE14 platform. However, most of the relations to the Ford Escort ended there. Ford designed and made two engines and two transmissions that were only ever available on the Mercury Topaz, and its re-badged and re-branded Ford cousin, the Tempo. Topaz and Tempo introduced many new design concepts and features that would become standard on many future Ford's and other automobile manufacturer's cars in a few years. The Topaz had a very aerodynamic design, and unlike its Zephyr predecessor, it was front-wheel-drive. Topaz focused on comfort and convenience, and Ford, by making Topaz FWD made interior space much larger than it would have been if the Topaz and Tempo were rear-wheel-drive. Other innovative concepts used first in Tempo were optional SRS airbags, a diesel engine option (the 2.0L Mazda RF Diesel I4, capable of over thirty miles per gallon highway), very aerodynamic styling (reducing drag, meaning better fuel efficiency) and features such as power lumbar support, four-way power driver's seat and cassette player.
Topaz (along with stablemate Tempo) was face-lifted in 1986, with new flush-mounted headlights to improve its aerodynamic styling and a nonfunctional light-bar grille from the then-new Sable. In 1987, the Mercury Topaz received a standard all wheel drive system on the trim levels GS-AWD and LS-AWD. This AWD system (developed exclusively for the Topaz and Ford Tempo) would be available from model years 1987 to 1991.
The Topaz received a major redesign in 1988. This car had an improved interior, as well as an even more aerodynamic and upscale exterior. The car was differentiated from the Tempo by a more formal rear window, waterfall grille, more upscale wheels, solid red tail-lights and a bigger trunk. the interior featured the tachometer-equipped gauge cluster standard and an armrest. New this year were the sporty XR5 coupe and LTS "Luxury Touring Sedan" models. These came standard with the HSO engine and MTX-III transmission.
In 1992, the Mercury Topaz (and Ford Tempo) received a face-lift with a revamped exterior. The chrome grill was replaced again with a new light-bar (also nonfunctional). The Vulcan V6 was now available, bringing with it an optional MTX-IV five-speed manual transmission on the XR5 and Luxury Touring Sedan models. Unfortunately, slow sales made 1992 the last year for the XR5 and LTS.
The Topaz was replaced for 1995 by the European Ford Mondeo-based Mystique.
See image of Mercury Topaz Coupe
[edit] Engines
- 2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4 52 hp (39 kW) (optional 1984-1986 "GS")
- 2.3 L HSC I4, 86 hp (64 kW)-98 hp (73 kW) and 125 lb·ft (169 N·m) GS/LS
- 2.3 L HSO I4, 100 hp (75 kW) and 135 lb·ft (183 N·m) LTS/XR5/AWD
- 3.0 L (2982 cc) Vulcan V6, 130 hp (97 kW) and 150 lb·ft (203 N·m) (1992-1994; optional on GS, LS, and standard on LTS/XR5)
[edit] Trim levels
- L (stripped down base model made during the 1988-1991 model years)
- GS (Topaz equivalent of the Tempo GL, mid-range model and most common)
- GS-AWD (Topaz GS with All Wheel Drive as standard, available between 1987 and 1991)
- LS (luxury/high end trim level made through-out the Topaz run)
- LS-AWD (Topaz LS with All Wheel Drive as standard, available between 1987 and 1991)
- XR5 (sporty performance model made from 1987 to 1992, in 1992, XR5 received a standard 3.0L V6)
- LTS (four door variation of the XR5, 'LTS' stood for Luxury Touring Sedan, made from 1988 to 1992)
[edit] Topaz Gallery
 1986-1987 Mercury Topaz |
[edit] External links
- Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz Car Club of America
- Tempo & Topaz Owner Association
- Ford Tempo & Mercury Topaz Central
- Mercury Topaz in Television and Film
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