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Ford Probe

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Ford Probe
Ford Probe
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Production: 1989–1997
Class: Sport compact
Body Styles: 3-door hatchback
Predecessor: Ford EXP
Successor: Ford/Mercury Cougar
Shares components with: Mazda 626
Mazda MX-6

The Ford Probe was a car produced by Ford between 1989 and 1997, with a redesign in 1993. It was sold in both European and North American markets. A sporty coupe, the Probe was intended to fill the market niche formerly occupied by the Capri in Europe, and although it was intended as the replacement to the Ford EXP, it was also considered a possible replacement for the Ford Mustang in the North American market. Fans objected to the new Mustang’s front wheel drive configuration, Japanese heritage, and lack of a V8, so Ford went to work on a new design for the Mustang instead.

The Probe was mechanically identical to the Mazda MX-6, and both cars shared the Mazda GD platform (1988-1992) and GE platform (1993-1997). In North America, the Probe and MX-6 were both assembled together by the Ford/Mazda joint venture, Auto Alliance.

Sales were not up to Ford's expectations, selling only 837,273 units in its eight year production run. The styling, while modern, was not universally liked. The innuendo of the car's name did not endear itself to prospective buyers. Sales of the Probe were finally discontinued in 1997, selling only 32,505 units.

From 1996 to 1997 there was a GTS model offered. It had no more performance than the regular GT but some interior enhancements and racing stripes.

Originally, the Probe was only supposed to be on a year hiatus, as there were plans to bring it back in 1999 as a sibling to the Contour-based, FWD Mercury Cougar. These plans were scrapped, however, likely because the sales success of the Ford Escort ZX2 filled the niche for a small, sporty coupe, making a new Probe unnecessary.

First generation Ford Probe

Trivia

  • Because the Probe's design was considered to be ahead of its time, in the movie Back to the Future II, when Marty travels to the future, many of the future cars appear to be modified Ford Probes.
  • The Probe was the most aerodynamic car Ford had ever made at the time of its release.
  • Ford originally used the Probe name for a series of futuristic concept cars in the early to mid 1980s.

Awards

The Probe GT was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1993. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1989, 1993, and 1994.

See also

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