Ford Aspire

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Ford Aspire
Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Parent company	Ford Motor Company Mazda
Also called	Kia Avella Ford Festiva
Production	1994–1997
Assembly	Seoul, South Korea
Predecessor	Ford Festiva
Class	Subcompact
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.3L 63 hp I4
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	90.7 in (2304 mm) (2-door) 93.9 in (2385 mm) (4-door)
Length	2-Door: 152.8 in (3881 mm) 4-Door: 155.9 in (3960 mm)
Width	1997: 65.7 in (1669 mm) 1994-96 2-Door: 65.5 in (1664 mm) 1994-96 4-Door: 65.4 in (1661 mm)
Height	55.6 in (1412 mm)
Curb weight	2004 lb (909 kg) (2-door) 2053 lb (931 kg) (4-door)

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 the Australasia region.

It has an average fuel economy of about 38 miles per gallon (7.84 L/100km) (though the manual transmission models can get up to 40 miles per gallon - 5.227 L/100km) 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 tachometer-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.

1997 Ford Aspire 5-door

In 1997, the Aspire received a new oval grille, rounded headlamps, 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.

[edit] Film

A 1996 Aspire is seen in the movie "Cellular" as a security car and gets run over by a semi truck in the film.

[edit] References

• Consumer Guide review of the Ford Aspire

[edit] External links

• Ford Aspire.com