Ford Aspire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ford Aspire | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
| Parent company | Ford Motor Company |
| Also called | Kia Avella Ford Festiva |
| Production | 1994–1997 |
| Predecessor | Ford Festiva |
| Successor | Kia Rio Ford Focus for hatchbacks |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 1.3L 63 hp I4 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 90.7 in. (2-Door) 93.9 in. (4-Door) |
| Length | 152.8 in. (2-Door) 155.9 in. (4-Door) |
| Width | 65.7 in. |
| Height | 55.6 in. |
| Curb weight | 2004 lb. (2-Door) 2053 lb. (4-Door) |
| Similar | Geo Metro Hyundai Accent Toyota Tercel |
Ford Aspire was the name given to the second-generation Ford Festiva subcompact car sold by Ford Motor Company in the US and Canada from 1994 to 1997. The Aspire was available only as a hatchback with either 3 or 5 doors. The body was made by Kia Motors in South Korea and the engine and components were made by Mazda of Japan. It was sold as the Kia Avella in Asia, and as the Ford Festiva in Japan and Australasia.
It has an average fuel economy of about 30 miles per gallon (though the manual transmission models can get up to 45 miles per gallon) and is favored for parallel parking. The Ford Aspire was the first car in its class (in North America) to have standard dual air bags and optional 4-wheel ABS. A sporty SE model was available from 1994-1995, and included a tachometer (with blue faced gauges), a rear spoiler,alloy wheels,fog lights, and other sporty accents, including "SE" badging.
The tachomter-equipped instrument cluster is very rare now (popular upgrade choice of owners of non-SE Aspires), and often commands a fairly high price if found used in good condition.
In 1997, the Aspire received a new oval grill, rounded head lamps, and other minor changes. This was the last year for North American sales.
It was replaced in Kia's lineup by the Kia Rio, which was sold under its own name since by that point (until replaced by a Hyundai-based car of the same name), as the Ford-Kia-Mazda relationship had broken down.
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