June 1992 - World Of Wheels

Ford Launches New Probe Into Sports Market

Although not readily apparent, the Ford Probe has been redesigned with hopes of capturing a bigger slice of the small-specialty market.

Like the Mazda MX-6 with which it shares its platform, the all-new Probe will come with either a 2-litre, DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine in base trim (simply named Probe) or a 2.5-litre. DOHC, 24-valve V6 in top-of-the-line guise (Probe GT). Engine outputs are 115 horses and 124 lb.ft. of torque for the "four," 164 and 156, respectively, for the V6.

Also like the Mazda, the Probe manages to eliminate the torque-steer common to high-powered, front-wheel drive cars, and which was so prevalent in its turbocharged predecessor. Both models also come equipped with a long list of standard features, like the new MX-6s.

Ford says it intended the new Probe to be aimed squarely at the performance segment of the small-specialty market, thus complementing a mainstay in the group - the Ford Mustang.

"The Probe will consolidate Ford's position in the small-specialty market," says John Valentine, Ford's small-car development manager. "We have two products aimed at the sporty, fun-to-drive segment which cover a wide audience. There's the front-wheel drive Probe, and the Mustang with its V8, rear-wheel drive set-up."

Ford also claims that the Probe's suspension geometry makes it more handling- and performance-oriented than its Mazda MX-6 Mystère cousin, which is intended to appeal to an upmarket, ride-oriented buyer.

On a preliminary look-see, we had to agree that the Probe certainly was tighter than the MX-6, causing it to hold corners very well and stay with the driver through thick and thin.

However it also suffers from a 4-speed automatic which is very slow to kick down, causing the driver to either plan his passing manoeuvres well in advance, or get frustrated at being hung out waiting for the power to kick in.

It should be noted that all the cars we've driven with this transmission (either Mazda MX-6s, 626s or Ford Probes, 4-cyl or V6) act in the same manner, so the problem is apparently with the gear box.

Otherwise there's not much to complain about. Interior room and comfort is what one would expect for a car in this class, with the only flaw being awkwardly placed cup holders (in the centre console, under the driver's right elbow).

The Probe will be in dealerships in the middle of June with customers receiving their cars starting July 9. Although Ford has not set prices, the base is expected in the neighbourhood of $14,000, with the GT starting at around $20,000.