Ford ZX2

Last updated
Ford Escort ZX2 (1997-2000)
Ford ZX2 (2001-2003)
MyZX2.png
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Also calledFord Escort ZX2
Production1997–2003 (USA)
1998–2000 (Canada & Mexico)
Body and chassis
Class compact
Body style 2-door coupe
Platform Mazda B platform
Related Ford Escort
Mazda Protegé
Mercury Tracer
Powertrain
Engine 2.0 L Zetec DOHC I4
Transmission 5-speed G5M manual
4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 98.4 in (2,500 mm)
Length175.2 in (4,450 mm)
Width67.4 in (1,710 mm)
Height52.3 in (1,330 mm)
Curb weight 2,478 lb (1,124 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Ford Probe
Successor Ford Focus

The Ford ZX2 or Ford Escort ZX2 was a coupe derived from the third-generation Ford Escort. The Escort ZX2 was first introduced by Ford in 1997 and sold until the 2003 model year. [1]

Ford Motor Company American automobile manufacturer

Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker that has its main headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobiles and commercial vehicles under the Ford brand and most luxury cars under the Lincoln brand. Ford also owns Brazilian SUV manufacturer Troller, an 8% stake in Aston Martin of the United Kingdom and a 32% stake in Jiangling Motors. It also has joint-ventures in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Russia. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is controlled by the Ford family; they have minority ownership but the majority of the voting power.

Contents

Escort ZX2 (1997-2003)

2003 Ford Escort ZX2 SE (facelift model, rear view) 2003 Ford Escort ZX2 SE in grey, rear left.jpg
2003 Ford Escort ZX2 SE (facelift model, rear view)

A version of the Escort returned to the public in the Spring of 1997 as a 1998 model, a coupe called the ZX2. The name is believed to be derived from "Z" for Zetec engine, "X" for Generation X which the car was marketed to and "2" for 2 door coupe. Ford gave the ZX2 a flashy body style and a 2.0-liter 16-valve "Zetec" engine which pumped out 130 horsepower and would move the ZX2 from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.8 seconds. [2]

In 2001, Ford dropped the "Escort" name from the 2-door which would then be referred to as the ZX2 from that point on. The final year of production was in 2003. That year the ZX2 had also received a new front fascia, one-year-only 15 inch 5-spoke wheels and, finally, an in-dash CD player on deluxe and premium version. It also came stock with a moonroof. Due to low sales and low demand, Ford proceeded to drop this vehicle from its lineup.

The ZX2 used a Mazda platform, and its appearance bears a strong visual appearance to the Japanese market only Autozam Clef, derived from the Mazda Cronos.

Autozam Clef car model

The Autozam Clef is a mid-size sedan that was sold by Autozam from 1992 until 1994.

2003 Ford ZX2 2003 Ford ZX2.jpg
2003 Ford ZX2

ZX2 S/R

The increased presence and success of tuner models from overseas in the late 90s caused Ford to create their own performance model, the ZX2 S/R. Meant to compete with inexpensive factory performance compacts such as the Honda Civic Si or the Dodge Neon ACR, Ford created the ZX2 S/R to show that company had plenty to bring to the table. Its initial debut was at SEMA's Import Auto Salon in Pomona in 1999. The ZX2 S/R was the first product jointly developed by Ford Racing and Ford Motor Company's Small Vehicle Center Product Development.

Honda Civic Si

The Honda Civic Si is a sport compact trim of Civic by Honda. The Si trim was introduced for the third generation of Honda Civics in both Japan and North America. In Canada and elsewhere, the trim became known as the SiR for the sixth and seventh generations, and the Si trim was equivalent to the USDM EX model.

Chrysler Neon

The Plymouth/Dodge/Chrysler Neon was a front-engine, front-wheel drive compact car introduced in January 1994 for model year 1995 by Chrysler's Dodge and Plymouth divisions in two- and four-door bodystyles over two generations.

Ford's finalers limited production count was 2,110 units, consisting of 110 yellow S/Rs in 1999, the first two of which were sold in Columbus, Ohio, and the other 108 in Southern California, and in 2000, 500 black, 500 red and 1,000 yellow S/Rs for an upgrade price of $1,495 both years. It is believed that only 35 of those 2000 S/Rs were sold in Canada, making it a very rare trim there.

Columbus, Ohio Capital of Ohio

Columbus is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. State of Ohio. With a population of 892,533 as of 2018 estimates, it is the 14th-most populous city in the United States and one of the fastest growing large cities in the nation. This makes Columbus the third-most populous state capital in the US and the second-most populous city in the Midwest. It is the core city of the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses ten counties. With a population of 2,078,725, it is Ohio's second-largest metropolitan area.

Southern California Place in California, United States

Southern California is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises California's southernmost counties, and is the second most populous urban agglomeration in the United States. The region contains ten counties: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Kern counties.

Canada Country in North America

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest country by total area. Its southern border with the United States, stretching some 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the world's longest bi-national land border. Canada's capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The optional S/R package adds stiffer suspension parts (Eibach springs (M-5560-Z2), Tokico struts (M-18000-Z2) and Energy Suspension brand polyurethane suspension bushings), more power (through a Ford Racing PCM (M-12650-Z2)), more efficient intake (Roush or Iceman), rear disc brakes (M-2300-Z2), a stronger clutch, Centerforce dual friction (M-7560-Z2), a short-throw B&M manual-transmission shifter (M-7210-Z2), an S/R-unique shift knob (M-7213-Z2) and boot (M-7277-Z2), unique seats for 2000 models, a unique blue valve cover for 2000 models, a different speed cluster that goes up to 150 mph (240 km/h) and a unique tire/wheel package with Goodyear ZR1 tires. Engine power was increased 10 percent over the base Zetec engine used in the ZX2 to 143 bhp (107 kW; 145 PS), courtesy of a recommended premium fuel re-calibration, new air inlet system, the performance PCM, improved Borla muffler and pipe (M-5230-Z2). All ZX2 S/R have a special "S/R" badge on the back, either silver (on a red car) or red (on a yellow or black car). Some S/R went out of the assembly plant without some of the performance mods, such as not being fitted with the Centerforce clutch.

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References

  1. Gunnell, John (2007). Standard Catalog of Ford (2, illustrated ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN   978-0-89689-615-4.
  2. Jeff Bartlett (August 1997). "1997 Ford Escort ZX2 Sport - Road Test". Motor Trend.