1991 - Last Year for AWD

While 1991 seemed to be another carry over year, there were a few changes that did take place. First off, the All Wheel Drive option was renamed to Four Wheel Drive. In the US market, the Tempo L model returned to the line up in select Southern US states. Big news happened south of the border, in Mexico. A completely new model based on the US and Canadian market Topaz LS 4-door debuted, called the Ford Ghia. This model was essentially the Topaz LS 4-door that came with Ghia badging on the trunk and ?D?-pillars and their own unique cross-lace aluminum rims.

Production Numbers

Styling

With the change from All Wheel Drive to Four Wheel Drive, the corresponding decals placed on the fenders of the Tempo and Topaz were changed to reflect the new name.

The Sports Appearance Package was still available on the 4-door Tempo GLS.

Powertrain

Engine choices for this year are the 2.3L HSC and the 2.3L HSO engine equipped with the Mutli-Port Fuel Injection (MPFI) system that featured one fuel injector for each cylinder. Control of this system was again handled by the EEC-IV computer controls installed on each vehicle. The 2.3L HSC produced 98 HP @ 4400 rpm and 124 lb-ft of torque @ 2200 rpm. The 2.3L HSO engine produced 100 HP @ 4400 rpm, while torque is at 130 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm.

Final drive ratios on the MTX-III continue to be 3.33:1 for HSC engines, and 3.73:1 for HSO engines. The final drive for all FLC equipped cars (both HSC and HSO) is increased to 3.26:1. The final drive for the AWD cars remains unchanged at 3.07:1.

AWD continues to be an option on both the Tempo and Topaz. Cars that came with AWD were always equipped with the 2.3L HSO engine mated to the FLC 3-speed automatic.

Ride & Handling

Suspensions remained unchanged for this year. The base suspension was found on the Tempo L, Tempo GL, Topaz L and Topaz GS. All other models received the upgraded Sport/Touring suspension. The Sport/Touring suspension featured stiffer springs, revised strut calibration, 14? aluminum or polycast rims, and a thicker front ant-roll bar.