Mercury Topaz

Mercury Topaz
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1983–1994
Assembly	Claycomo, Missouri Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Mexico
Designer	Jack Telnack
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive / All-wheel drive
Platform	Ford CE14 platform
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercury Zephyr
Successor	Mercury Mystique

The Mercury Topaz is a compact car that was manufactured by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company for model years 1984 to 1994 as a slightly upscale variant of the Ford Tempo. It succeeded the Fox body Mercury Zephyr, and was replaced by the 1995 Mercury Mystique.

First generation

First generation
Overview
Production	1984–1987 (Sedan) 1984–1994 (Coupe)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Related	Ford Escort Ford EXP Ford Tempo Mercury Lynx
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4 2.3 L HSC I4 2.3 L HSO I4
Transmission	4-speed IB4 manual 5-speed MTX-III manual 3-speed ATX/FLC automatic

Both models were introduced in late 1983 for the 1984 model year; the compact Topaz and Ford Tempo were early examples of the design philosophy that would bring about the revolutionary aerodynamic 1986 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. Topaz and Tempo both were based on the Escort-derived CE14 platform. The body structure and transaxle design borrowed heavily from the Ford Escort, but due to the larger size of the Topaz there were few common components. The Topaz shared the Tempo's standard 4-speed IB4 manual transmission and optional 3-speed FLC automatic. In late 1985, a 5-speed MTX-III manual became standard and the 4-speed IB4 was discontinued. Ford designed and made two engines and automatic/manual transmissions that were only ever available on the Mercury Topaz, and its re-badged and re-branded Ford cousin, the Tempo. Topaz and Tempo introduced many new design concepts and features that would become standard on many future Ford's and other automobile manufacturer's cars in a few years. The Topaz had a very aerodynamic design, and unlike its Zephyr predecessor, it was front-wheel-drive. Topaz focused on comfort and convenience, and Ford, by making Topaz FWD made interior space much larger than it would have been if the Topaz and Tempo were rear-wheel-drive. Other innovative concepts used first in Tempo were optional SRS airbags, a diesel engine option (the 2.0L Mazda RF Diesel I4, capable of over thirty miles per gallon highway), very aerodynamic styling (reducing drag, meaning better fuel efficiency and reduced wind noise intrusion into the passenger compartment) and features such as power lumbar support, four-way power driver's seat and cassette player.

1987 Topaz sedan

Topaz (along with stablemate Tempo) was face-lifted in 1986, with new flush-mounted headlights to improve its aerodynamic styling and a nonfunctional light-bar grille from the then-new Sable. In 1987, the Mercury Topaz received a standard all wheel drive system on the trim levels GS-AWD and LS-AWD. This AWD system (developed exclusively for the Topaz and Ford Tempo) was available for model years 1987 to 1991.

Second generation

Second generation
Overview
Production	1988–1994
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan =2-door coupe
Related	Ford Escort Ford EXP Ford Tempo
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L HSC I4 2.3 L HSO I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6
Transmission	5-speed MTX-III manual 5-speed MTX-IV manual 3-speed ATX/FLC automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	99.9 in (2,537 mm)
Length	177.0 in (4,496 mm) (sedan) 176.7 in (4,488 mm) (coupe)
Width	68.3 in (1,735 mm)
Height	52.9 in (1,344 mm) (sedan) 52.8 in (1,341 mm) (coupe)

1992–1994 Mercury Topaz GS sedan

The Topaz sedan received a major redesign in 1988, whereas the coupe was facelifted instead. Both cars had an improved interior, as well as an even more aerodynamic and upscale exterior. The sedan was differentiated from the 4-door Tempo by a more formal rear window, and the sedan and coupe had a waterfall grille, more upscale wheels, and solid red tail-lights. The interior featured the tachometer-equipped gauge cluster and a front center armrest standard. New this year were the sporty XR5 coupe and LTS "Luxury Touring Sedan" models. These came standard with the HSO engine and MTX-III transmission.

In 1992, the Mercury Topaz (and Ford Tempo) received a face-lift with a revamped exterior. The chrome grill was replaced again with a new light-bar (nonfunctional). The Vulcan V6 was now available, bringing with it an optional MTX-IV five-speed manual transmission on the XR5 and LTS models. However, these models didn't sell well but were still an available option.

The last Mercury Topaz rolled off the assembly line on May 20, 1994.

The Topaz was replaced for 1995 by the European Ford Mondeo-based Mystique.

Engines

• 2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4 52 hp (39 kW) (optional 1984-1986 "GS")
• 2.3 L HSC I4, 86 hp (64 kW)-98 hp (73 kW) and 125 lb·ft (169 N·m) GS/LS
• 2.3 L HSO I4, 100 hp (75 kW) and 135 lb·ft (183 N·m) LTS/XR5/AWD
• 3.0 L (2982 cc) Vulcan V6, 130 hp (97 kW) and 150 lb·ft (203 N·m) (1992–1994; optional on GS, LS, and standard on LTS/XR5)

Trim levels

• L (stripped down base model made during the 1988-1991 model years)
• GS (Topaz equivalent of the Tempo GL, mid-range model and most common, only Topaz model in 1993 and 1994)
• GS-AWD (Topaz GS with All Wheel Drive as standard, available between 1987 and 1991)
• LS (luxury/high end trim level, discontinued after 1992)
• LS-AWD (Topaz LS with All Wheel Drive as standard, available between 1987 and 1991)
• XR5 (Topaz Coupe's sport performance model made from 1987 to 1992, in 1992, XR5 received a standard 3.0L V6. All XR5s are 2-doors)
• LTS (four door variation of the XR5, 'LTS' stood for Luxury Touring Sedan, made from 1988 to 1992)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercury Topaz.

• Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz Car Club of America
• Tempo & Topaz Owner Association
• Ford Tempo & Mercury Topaz Central
• Mercury Topaz in Television and Film