| Specifications:
Transverse
front-engine/front - or all - wheel drive.
Wheelbase 99.9"; two-door weight 2541 lbs.,
four-door 2588 lbs.;
unit-body construction; length two-door 176.7"; four-door 177.0".
Built in Mexico. 4 Stars NHTSA crash test rating.
|
Engines |
Size liters
/
cu. in |
Horse- power |
Torque |
Transmission:
EPA city/hwy |
|
OHV I4 |
2.3 / 141 |
96-98 |
128-124 |
5-speed
manual: 23/33
3-speed automatic: 21/26 |
|
OHV I4 |
2.3 / 141 |
100 |
130 |
5-speed
manual: 21/29
3-speed automatic: 22/26 |
|
OHV V6 |
3.0 / 182 |
130-135 |
150 |
5-speed
manual: 21/28
3-speed automatic: 20/24 |
Facts:
Mercury's compact front-wheel drive car,
available in two-door and four-door sedan. GS, LS, LTS, and XR5
editions. Available in four-wheel drive in 1990-92. Motorized
automatic shoulder belts were standard. Optional driver-side airbag.
Redesigned in 1992.
The Mercury
Topaz and similar Ford Tempo arrived in 1986. Power plants included a 2.3-liter
overhead-valve 4-cylinder and a so-called "High Output" version of the same
engine that raised horsepower from 98 to an even 100. A 5-speed manual
transmission was standard, while a 3-speed automatic was optional. Motorized
automatic shoulder belts were standard for driver and passenger alike. However,
an optional driver-side airbag was on the option list. Topaz came in both 2-door
and 4-door versions. The 1990 GS and LS models could also be ordered with a
part-time 4-wheel-drive system.
1991:
The Topaz is virtually unchanged for its last year in the 1986 styling format.
Minor exterior and interior upgrades are directed at reducing engine and road
noise. 1992:
New sheet metal, bumpers, and body side models, the arrival of the first available
V6 and discontinuation of the slow-selling 4-wheel-drive option are the major
changes for 1992. The 3.0-liter V6 comes standard on LTS and XR5 models,
optional on the others. The two flagship models also come with fog lamps and new
ground effects. Both GS and LS versions still come with the 2.3-liter
4-cylinder, which adds multipoint fuel injection for better fuel economy.
1993:
The previous LS, LTS, and XR5 trim levels all bite the dust, taking with them
the sport suspension and performance rear-axle ratio. The only remaining model
is the base GS version, still offered in 2-door and 4-door body styles. Both
5-speed manual and optional 3-speed automatic are again offered, with the
automatic reducing horsepower in the V6 by 5, to 130. The driver-side airbag
remains optional, but cannot be ordered with models equipped with the V6.
1994:
For 1994, all airbag-equipped models get a manual three-point lap/shoulder belt
for the driver's seat, while front passengers still suffer with the motorized
shoulder belt and manual lap belt.
Related Cars:
Ford Tempo
See Also:
80's Topaz
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