|
The Ford Contour is a North American variant of the European Ford Mondeo sedan previously sold by Ford Motor Company. It was sold in North America from 1994 (as a 1995 model) through 2000. The platform also underpinned a Mercury version called Mystique and the 1999 to 2002 iteration of the Mercury Cougar. It was called the Contour in the US as Ford thought people would associate Mondeo with 'Rodeo'. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 400 pixelsFull resolution (1189 × 595 pixel, file size: 85 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Automakers, also known as carmakers, automobile manufacturers, motor manufacturers, or the automobile industry are companies that design and manufacture automobiles. ...
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation and the worlds third largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales. ...
Claycomo is a village located in Clay County, Missouri. ...
Hermosillo is the capital of the desert state of Sonora, Mexico. ...
Second generation Ford Tempo coupe Second generation Ford Tempo sedan The Ford Tempo was introduced in September of 1983 as a 1984 model, based upon a stretched and modified Ford Escort platform. ...
The Ford Mondeo is a large family car sold by the Ford Motor Company in various markets throughout the world. ...
Car classification is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories. ...
The Rambler American introduced in the late 1950s was an early compact car. ...
Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ...
A notchback full-size luxury sedan. ...
In automobile design layout is the place where both the engine and driven wheels are. ...
In automobile design, an FF, or Front-engine, Front wheel drive, layout places both the engine and driven wheels at the front of the vehicle. ...
An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ...
The CDW27 Platform was Fords midsize car automobile platform from the late 1990s. ...
The Ford Zetec is a name used on many inline 4 cylinder automobile engines. ...
The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ...
The Duratec is a range of four, six and twelve-cylinder gasoline engines used in Ford cars. ...
The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...
Transmissions provide a speed-power conversion known as gear reduction (in speed) to a higher torque (rotational force) using gearsets. ...
The MTX-75 (Manual TransaXle), is a 5-speed transmission developed by Ford for its larger engined front wheel drive models. ...
A manual transmission (also known as a stick shift, straight drive, or standard transmission) is a type of transmission used in automotive applications. ...
The CD4E was a 4-speed automatic transaxle for front wheel drive cars in the 1990s. ...
The automatic gear selector in a Ford Five Hundred vehicle An automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually (similar but larger devices are also used for railroad locomotives). ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
The Mercury Cougar was an automobile sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Companys Lincoln-Mercury Division. ...
The Ford Mondeo is a large family car sold by the Ford Motor Company in various markets throughout the world. ...
The Mercury Mystique was a compact car produced by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company from 1995 to 2000. ...
North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...
World map showing the location of Europe. ...
The Ford Mondeo is a large family car sold by the Ford Motor Company in various markets throughout the world. ...
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation and the worlds third largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales. ...
Mercury is an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1939 to market near-luxury cars slotted between entry-level Ford and luxury Lincoln models, similar to General Motors Buick (and former Oldsmobile) brand and DaimlerChryslers Chrysler brand. ...
The Mercury Mystique was a compact car produced by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company from 1995 to 2000. ...
The Mercury Cougar was an automobile sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Companys Lincoln-Mercury Division. ...
Overview
Ford introduced the Contour to the North American market in late 1994 to replace the aging Tempo. Like its predecessor, the Contour remained a compact car, according to the EPA. Development of the Contour, the nearly identical Mercury Mystique and the Mondeo in Europe was a major project for Ford Motor Company; reportedly US$6 billion was invested in the development of the CDW27 platform. The Contour filled the market and size gap between the Escort and the larger Taurus. The Contour was slightly larger than the Tempo and was only available as a sedan. By contrast, the European Mondeo was also available as a hatchback and a wagon. Second generation Ford Tempo coupe Second generation Ford Tempo sedan The Ford Tempo was introduced in September of 1983 as a 1984 model, based upon a stretched and modified Ford Escort platform. ...
EPA redirects here. ...
The CDW27 Platform was Fords midsize car automobile platform from the late 1990s. ...
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Ford Escort (European). ...
The Ford Taurus is a mid-size, front wheel drive car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in North America. ...
Initially, three trim levels were available; a base GL, a more luxurious LX and a sporty SE trim. A 125 hp, 2.0 L Zetec inline four-cylinder engine was standard on the GL and LX models, while a 170 hp 2.5 L Duratec V6, originally designed as a Porsche project before it was sold to Ford, was standard on SE models and optional on the LX model. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard on all models, with a 4-speed automatic as an option. Prices ranged from about USD 14,000 for base GL versions to just under USD 20,000 for an SE with all available options. A trim package is a set of cosmetic (mostly non-functional) embellishments to a vehicle. ...
The liter (spelled liter in American English and litre in Commonwealth English) is a unit of volume. ...
The Ford Zetec is a name used on many inline 4 cylinder automobile engines. ...
The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ...
hp, see HP (disambiguation) The horsepower (hp) is the name of several non-metric units of power. ...
Ford Motor Companys modern 2. ...
The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...
However, in April 1996, Ford produced a "Sport" model in both the 2.0 L four-cylinder and 2.5 L V6. The "Sport" model was an option in both SE and GL series.
 1998-2000 Ford SVT Contour In 1998, Ford restyled the Contour and added the SVT version, which utilized a specially tuned and modified version of the 2.5 L V6 that produced 195 hp and was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission, making the Contour SVT one of the hottest numbers in its class. The restyle was based on the facelifted Mondeo which had been launched in Europe two years earlier. Also included with the SVT Contour was new bodywork, seats and trim, white-faced gauges, larger wheels with ultra high performance tires, upgraded brakes and a retuned suspension. Slowing sales in later model years prompted Ford to cut back production of the Contour, and by 2000 only the SE V6 model and the SVT version remained. The Contour SVT was available primarily by special order by specially designated Ford dealerships. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 500 pixelsFull resolution (1184 × 740 pixel, file size: 104 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 500 pixelsFull resolution (1184 × 740 pixel, file size: 104 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Fords Special Vehicle Team. ...
End of the Contour After the 2000 model year, the Contour was canceled because of decreasing sales, and the Kansas City plant was retooled to build the Ford Escape. Many editors remarked that the car, sized for Europe, had a small interior compared to peers such as the Dodge Stratus, though many praised the car for its European handling and V6 power. In the United States and Canada, the Contour (alongside the Ford Escort) were replaced by the Focus as Ford's compact car. Mid-size car buyers were steered toward the larger Taurus, while small car buyers purchased the smaller Focus. In reality, though, the departure of the Contour left a gap in Ford's lineup which wouldn't be filled till the 2006 introduction of the Fusion. But Mexico had a proper successor for the Contour, as the larger Mondeo was sold until the Fusion's introduction. Nickname: Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ...
The Ford Escape (designated U204) is a compact SUV sold by the automaker Ford Motor Company beginning in the 2001 model year and priced below the Ford Explorer. ...
The Dodge Stratus (and its twins, the Chrysler Cirrus and Plymouth Breeze; collectively known as the Cloud Cars) was a mid-size 4-door sedan introduced in 1995. ...
See also Ford Escort (Europe). ...
// Pre-update 1st-gen Focus SE sedan When the North American versions were launched in 1999 as a 2000 model year, initially as a 3 door hatchback, 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon (a 5dr hatchback soon followed) the cars featured subtle, but notable, styling differences from the European...
The Rambler American introduced in the late 1950s was an early compact car. ...
A mid-size car, frequently referred to as an intermediate, is an automobile with a size between that of a compact and a full-size or standard-size car. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Engines A 1. ...
The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ...
Ford Motor Companys modern 2. ...
The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...
Ford Motor Companys modern 2. ...
The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...
Ford Motor Companys modern 2. ...
The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...
Trims - GL= base model (1995-1998 only)
- LX= Luxury (1995-1999 only)
- SE= Special Edition
- SVT= Special Vehicle Team (1998-2000 only)
Year-to-year changes
1996 - The backs of the front seats were recessed, improving rear seat leg room.
- Rear seat cushions were repositioned to increase room.
- Chrome bumper strips were dropped, resulting in bumpers that were solidly colored.
- Seven-spoke alloy wheels become standard for SE model.
- Split rear seats now available on all models.
- The powertrain control module was changed to the newer EEC-V to be OBD2 compliant.
1997 - New value-priced base model introduced in late 1997.
- Traction control is dropped as an option.
- Added interior trunk light.
- Steering wheels now tilt.
- Power antenna added.
- Heated mirrors are dropped as an option.
- Remote fuel door release is dropped.
1998 - New design for front and rear fascias, including a chrome grille and larger headlights.
- 5-speed manual transmission changed from rod shift to cable shift.
- High-performance SVT version debuts, available only in Silver Frost, Toreador Red, and Black Ebony with Midnight Blue interior.
- Roof line altered and the rear deck shortened for improved rear seat headroom.
- Seat recliner is changed from a knob to a lever.
- Seatbelt for rear center seat is improved from 2-point to 3-point.
- New center consoles.
- Glove box light, underhood light, and door handle lights are removed.
Note: In mid-production for the 1998 model, Ford decided to make several more changes to the SVT Contour. This resulted in a noticeable distinction between early and late 1998 SVT Contours. To differentiate between the two, many people refer to the late 1998 model as the "1998.5", or alternatively refer to the early 1998 model as the "E0" and the late 1998 model as the "E1". The mid-year changes are as listed below. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 430 pixelsFull resolution (2163 × 1162 pixel, file size: 219 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 430 pixelsFull resolution (2163 × 1162 pixel, file size: 219 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
- Base and GL models are dropped, leaving the LX, SE, and SVT.
- Split rear seats are now available only on the SE model.
- In-dash clock is relocated to the stereo head unit display.
- New Cobra-style SVT aluminum alloy wheels.
- Different strut valving and tires raising skid pad numbers from .84g to .90g.
1999 - SVT was upped 5 hp to 200 hp due to additional AFM processing by Extrude Hone of the primary and secondary intake ports.
- All models are equipped with a slightly larger fuel tank (now 15.4 gal).
- SVT is offered in Tropic Green.
- Revised transmission syncros to address an issue in the 98 SVT's.
- Slight change in dash design. Plastic piece around front window was eliminated.
hp, see HP (disambiguation) The horsepower (hp) is the name of several non-metric units of power. ...
Developed by Extrude Hone Corporation in 1966, AFM is a very precise and economical method of smoothing and polishing internal surfaces and producing controlled radii. ...
Extrude Hone Corporation was founded in 1966 in Pennsylvania. ...
2000 - LX model is dropped, leaving only the SE and SVT.
- Displacement on the Duratec V6 engine decreased slightly, but compression ratio is increased to compensate.
Awards The Contour was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1995, 1996 and 1997. The Contour was also named as an Automobile Magazine All Star for 1995, 1996 and 1997. For the SVT trim, Edmunds.com named the Contour SVT the most wanted sedan under $25,000 for the year of 1999. Cover of Car and Driver from age of psychedelic lettering Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. ...
Car and Driver magazine nominates an annual list of Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks. ...
See also The following is a list of vehicles manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. ...
Main article: Ford Contour The SVT Contour was a modified version of the Ford Contour sedan from Fords in-house Special Vehicle Team. ...
References and source data - [1] - ConsumerGuide.com Ford Contour 1995-2000 Prices & Review - (compares to Honda Accord)
- [2] - Contour.org, Contour Enthusiasts Group (CEG)
|
Feeds |
Contact