Ford Probe 

Rating out of 5: ***

GOOD
Equipment and finish, smooth and powerful engine, fuel economy, great brakes, superb handling.

BAD
Unacceptably harsh ride, highly impractical design, very tight rear room, uncomfortable seats.

VERDICT
A sleek, smooth performer with superb dynamics handicapped by a bumpy ride and a hard-to-live-with 2+2 design. 


Ford's V6 coupe, re-sprung due to buyer feedback, goes down a different, bumpy track to its Mazda sibling.

More for less is always an attractive sales pitch. Ford hopes a price reduction of nearly $2,500 and upgraded specification will enhance the appeal of its Probe sports coupe.

The revised model features a boot lid spoiler, two new paint colours and, in response to customer feedback, a suspension "fine tuned to add a little extra ride comfort without compromising the sporty character".

Now at $44,945 for the five-speed manual (the four-speed auto adds $2,083), the Probe in standard specification has air-conditioning, dual airbags, ABS, alloy wheels, a five-speaker stereo, security system with engine immobiliser, cruise control, electric windows and central locking.

Something of a surprise packet for Ford Australia, the Probe currently outsells the similarly priced Holden Calibra, Honda Prelude and Mazda MX-6. Nissan's powerhouse 200SX heads the US-built Ford, and Toyota's segment leading Celica creams the lot - but there's nothing like a price cut to spark interest.

Half of a deft double act, the Probe is essentially a Mazda MX-6 with a Ford body and interior. Both are assembled at the same plant.

The Probe's chassis and 2.5-litre V6 engine are identical to the Mazda's but, unlike the MX-6, it lacks the option of electronically controlled four-wheel-steering.

The Ford's sharky exterior lines and curvaceous cabin design are pure Detroit, penned by Ford senior designer Mimi Vandermolen. Its swoopy, cockpit-style interior is black, the only exception being grey velour inserts on the seats. A broad, sloping console separates the front passengers and the pronounced curve of the instrument binnacle neatly matches the upper half of the leather-trimmed steering wheel to provide a clear view through to the instruments - which unfortunately aren't brilliantly clear in daylight. The crowded markings on the speedometer also make increments hard to judge at a glance.

The Ford's sharky exterior lines and curvaceous cabin design are pure Detroit, penned by Ford senior designer Mimi Vandermolen. Its swoopy, cockpit-style interior is black, the only exception being grey velour inserts on the seats. A broad, sloping console separates the front passengers and the pronounced curve of the instrument binnacle neatly matches the upper half of the leather-trimmed steering wheel to provide a clear view through to the instruments - which unfortunately aren't brilliantly clear in daylight. The crowded markings on the speedometer also make increments hard to judge at a glance.

The cabin, like the exterior, is well finished. There's plenty of storage with large door bins, a small lockable glove box, a coin tray in the dash, a map pocket on the back of the front passenger seat and a bin with flip-top lid and cup-holder between the front seats.

There's no doubt the wedge-shaped body and jet fighter interior have sporty appeal but it's equally clear practicality has been shunted well down the priority list. For a start, the tremendously long doors and steeply raked windscreen make for a difficult, scrambling entry and exit, especially when parked parallel to other cars. And the problem is compounded by a very broad sill panel at the bottom of the door openings - which means stepping and swinging a long way inboard to get to the seat.

Inside, there's plenty of front seat headroom but the seats are surprisingly uncomfortable. Despite electronic side bolster and lumbar controls for the driver, there's modest upper back and shoulder support. Unlike some cars' firm seats, which prove comfortable on longer runs, the Probe's remain lumpy and hard with some soreness creeping in after an hour or so behind the wheel.

The term 2+2 is automotive code for "tight rear seat" - with the Probe's limited rear headroom and virtually non-existent leg room, it's extremely tight even for small adults.

Given the squeezy rear passenger space it's a surprise to see a generous, carpeted cargo area under the rear hatch door. A split-folding rear seat improves its flexibility.

Balancing this, the Probe's silky V6 engine provides satisfyingly strong performance with a minimum of fuss and the manual shift is well weighted, direct and smooth.

Relatively quiet at low revs and with a rorty howl at high revs, the engine boasts impressive straightline acceleration - 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds (four-speed auto 10.7) is seriously quick. Uphill pulling power from as little as 2,500 rpm is strong.

For a mix of suburban crawling, freeway running and some quick backroad bursts, average fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km on test is outstanding.

Vision is excellent thanks to thin window pillars and a large glass area.

The Probe's super-accurate steering with speed sensitive power assistance is agreeably light for parking but provides just the right amount of road feel in cornering.

Road holding is fantastic. The Probe stays flat and composed through fast twisty sections; mid-corner bumps do little to upset its directional stability. The suspension provides superb handling and grip, and the big, fat Michelin Pilot tyres play their part. The brakes are superb.

The price paid for such outstanding dynamics is very poor ride comfort - so stiff was the previous model's ride and so much did the body flex that there were reports of windscreens cracking. The springs and shock absorbers may have been revised, but passengers still feel every little bump and irregularity.

With all the prerequisites of an enjoyable sports coupe - grunty V6, great handling and superb brakes - the Probe is well equipped, keenly priced and looks the part. It's designed to appeal to well-educated, socially aware quiet achievers aged 30 to 50, mainly single or, if married, with fewer than the average number of children.

Styling and performance are their main buying criteria - which is lucky because the Probe package is flawed by an unacceptably harsh ride, uncomfortable seats and a difficult-to-live-with 2+2 layout. If you don't use the back seat and your biggest concerns are driving fast and looking good, the Ford Probe awaits.

VITAL SIGNS
Engine: 2.5-litre fuel-injected V6
Power: 121 kW at 5,600 rpm (gutsy)
Performance: 0-100 in 8.5 seconds (quick)
Brakes: front and rear discs (outstanding)
Economy: 9.8 L/100km on test (excellent)
Prices: Recommended retail price: Ford Probe $44,945
Street price: No deals. Retail price recently reduced.
Main options: carpet mats (4) $113; rear sun shade $124;
Alternatives:
Holden Calibra V6 2.5: $45,400-$47,400
Honda Prelude Si 2.3: $44,850-$46,850
Mazda MX-6 2WS 2.5: $44,565-$46,680
Nissan 200SX Sports 2.0: $44,510-$46,680
Toyota Celica ZR 2.2: $44,060-$46,060

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