- Ford Aspire
Infobox Automobile
name = Ford Aspire
manufacturer =Kia Motors
parent_company=Ford Motor Company Mazda
production = 1994–1997
class =Subcompact
layout =FF layout
body_style = 3-doorhatchback
5-doorhatchback
engine = 1.3L 63 hp I4
transmission = 3-speed automatic
5-speed manual
length = 2-Door: Auto in|152.8|0
4-Door: Auto in|155.9|0
width = 1997: Auto in|65.7|0
1994-96 2-Door: Auto in|65.5|0
1994-96 4-Door: Auto in|65.4|0
height = Auto in|55.6|0
weight = Auto lb|2004|0 (2-door)
Auto lb|2053|0 (4-door)
wheelbase = Auto in|90.7|0 (2-door)
Auto in|93.9|0 (4-door)
predecessor =Ford Festiva
aka =Kia Avella Ford Festiva
assembly =Seoul ,South Korea The Ford Aspire was the second-generation of the
Ford Festiva subcompact car sold byFord Motor Company in the US andCanada from 1994 to 1997. The Aspire was available ahatchback with either 3 or 5 doors. The vehicles were manufacted byKia Motors inSouth Korea with engine and components made byMazda ofJapan . The vehicles was marketed as theKia Avella inAsia , and as theFord Festiva inJapan and theAustralasia region.The Ford Aspire was the first car in its class (in North America) to have standard dual air bags and optional 4-wheel ABS Fact|date=July 2008. An SE model available from 1994-1995 included a
tachometer (with blue faced gauges), a rear spoiler, alloy wheels, fog lights, and "SE" badging.In 1997, the Aspire received a new oval grille, rounded headlamps, and other minor changes. This was the last year for North American sales.
The Aspire 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.It is mentioned in the book "The world's worst cars", mentioning rust, a leaky rear brake light, bad chassis and ugly styling as it's bad points.
The Aspire will finnaly be replaced in Ford's North American lineup by the
Ford Fiesta in 2010, as the spot it left vacant hasnt been filled since.Film and Television
A 1996 Aspire is seen in the movie "Cellular" as a security car and gets run over by a
semi truck in the film. The Aspire also made a fashionable appearance in the recent movie "Be Kind, Rewind" starring Mos Def and Jack Black. The car was transformed into the ghost mobile during efforts to re-create "Ghost Busters". In the Canadian television seriesCorner Gas , Wanda drives a pink Aspire.References
* [http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2157/ Consumer Guide review of the Ford Aspire]
External links
* [http://www.fordaspire.com Ford Aspire.com]
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