Форд Телстар: Тарихы мен географиясы

The Ford Telstar is an automobile that was sold by Ford in Asia, Australasia and Africa, comparable in size to the European Ford Sierra and the North American Ford Tempo. It was progressively replaced by the Ford Mondeo. The car was named after the Telstar satellite. Like the smaller Ford Laser, the Telstar was based on a model produced by Mazda in Japan. It shared its platform with the Mazda Capella/626, the differences being confined to some styling, engine sizes, and specification. The first model was launched in Japan in 1982. The Australian launch occurred in 1983, replacing the Ford Cortina. Unlike the Cortina, the Telstar was usually only available as a sedan or five door hatchback (known as the TX5). However, after 1988, a Telstar version of the 626 wagon was sold in Japan and New Zealand. In Taiwan, it was assembled using complete knock down kits from 1983 via the local joint venture Ford Lio Ho in left hand drive. It remained in production in Malaysia until early 2001. It was also sold in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Cyprus and the Philippines. TOC

The original generation Telstar was replaced in Australia in October 1987 with a refreshed version, called the AT series. A station wagon was also available, built on the GD based GV platform, which was unique to Japan and New Zealand. The facelifted AV model was released in Australia in January 1990,

In the Australian market, the range was now imported from Japan to make room for the Capri convertible on the Broadmeadows line. The flagship TX5 Turbo used a variation of the 2.2 litre engine, rated at on premium fuel and gaining anti lock brakes. Telstar sedans in Australia were discontinued in October 1989 due to the expense of importing them from Japan, solved by switching to the locally assembled Ford Corsair—a rebadged and facelifted Nissan Pintara (U12). Under the Button plan, Ford and Nissan were to share models. The two were instead sold side by side in the Ford range until the third generation Telstar was introduced in 1992. Between 1990 and 1992, the Telstar (AV series) was only available as the Japanese built, high performance TX5 hatchback in Australia. In New Zealand, by contrast, the range remained unchanged, although it was later complemented by the Sierra, this time imported from Belgium in small volumes as premium models, rather than assembled locally. Neither the Corsair nor the Pintara were sold in New Zealand, but a similar model, the Nissan Bluebird, was offered in the local market. In Malaysia, the Telstar continued to be assembled by Amim Holdings after a brief hiatus, reaching the market in March 1988. It was offered as a 1.8 litre five speed manual Ghia sedan or 2.0 litre automatic TX5 hatchback. In early 1990, a facelifted model was shown, with a new, smaller grille, modified taillights and a new 12 valve engine replacing the previous 2.0 litre. The 1.8 litre continued with while the new 2.0 litre engine offered There were three models on offer; the 1.8 sedan, 2.0 Ghia sedan, and 2.0 Ghia TX5. In Indonesia, this generation was marketed as the "Ford Telstar Grand" (four door sedan) and "Ford Telstar Thunder" (five door liftback). The only engine was the carburetted, 12 valve, 2.0 liter four as per Malaysia; claimed power was at 5,300 rpm while maximum torque was at 3,300 rpm. A five speed manual transmission was standard, with a four speed automatic an available option on the Telstar Grand. In Japan, this generation was sold from May 1987 until October 1991; the station wagon, however, was introduced in September 1990 (two years after its Capella Cargo sister) and continued to be built until October 1997. In Japan, the Telstar received 1.8 or 2.0 litre petrol fours with power from or a 2 litre Comprex diesel with This was released in two runs of 100 cars each, firstly in 1994 (based on the AX GLEi) and again in 1996 (based closely on the AY Eurosport). Notable features of the model are 16 inch ROH Astron alloy wheels, the 'aero' body kit (similar to the TX5 XRi) and Radisich insignia decals. Local assembly of the Telstar ceased along with all other Ford and Mazda models in 1997 when the VANZ Auckland plant closed. It was replaced in all forms by the Belgian built Mondeo range. The Telstar was always a popular seller for Ford New Zealand. In South Africa, the Telstar replaced the Sierra in 1993, being assembled by Samcor alongside the Mazda 626. As in New Zealand, a Telstar Contour and Telstar Mystique were offered. In 1998, the Telstar was replaced by the Mondeo, which was later fully imported. In Malaysia, the third generation Telstar arrived in August 1992. It was initially available as a four cylinder 2.0 litre sedan or as a better equipped hatchback (designated "TX 5") which came with a V6 engine, also of 2.0 litre displacement. The four cylinder model was paired with a five speed manual transmission, while the V6 received a four speed automatic. Later, the V6 was also installed in the sedan and became available coupled to a manual transmission in the TX 5. In 1997, the Telstar in Malaysia received a new grille insert and the automatic transmission eventually found its way into the 4 cylinder 16 valve 2.0 litre engine variant. Production ended in early 2001. However, unsold stock lasted until 2003. In Indonesia, this generation was offered with the 2 liter inline four or the 2.5 liter V6, and was sold as the Telstar Brilliant (four door sedan) and the Telstar Challenge (five door liftback).

Between 1994 and 1997, a model known as the Telstar II was produced alongside the Mazda Capella on the CG platform. Both the Telstar II and this generation of the Capella were only sold on the Japanese market.

The last Telstar, based on the GF platform, was released in 1997 but was again only available in Japan as Ford was now marketing the Mondeo in the Asian Pacific region. It was only available as a sedan and wagon, with no liftback version available. The Telstar was dropped by Ford of Japan in 1999 as the company sought to differentiate itself from Mazda by concentrating on European and American Ford models. Telstars were briefly available with Mazda's four wheel steering.