4 WHO TO CALL: m Auto Editor , Andrew McCredie 935-2131 (147) THE FORD Contour and its Mercury counterpart the “ Mystique are new to Ford’s Mineup this year. The compact, front-wheel-drive Contour sedan, this week's test car, fits in between the subcompact . Escort and the mid-sized Taurus in . both size and price range. Contours — available as four-door sedans only — are priced between $17,000 ‘and $22,000 in three trim levels, GL, LX and SE. The new sedans are not ‘meant to be replacements for the dis- -continued Tempo and Topaz (which were slightly smaller entry-level “ cars) but will compete with such family sedans as the Dodge Stratus, “Oldsmobile Achieva, Pontiac Grand Am, and imports like the Nissan '- Altima, Honda Accord, and Mazda 626. The Contour/Mystique is based on a European-designed car, the Mondeo, which has been popular in ~” Europe since its introduction in 1993. Apart from exterior and interi- NOE... ween ge ea Eps ey af fo rainy . ee ; NEWS photo Paul MeGrath THE 1995 Ford Contour is a new, front-whee!l-drive compact sedan based _.on the European Ford Mondeo. it offers European-inspired handling and ~ performance, aero-styling, five passenger capacity, and two engines: a 125 bp four-cylinder unit and a 179 horsepower V6. or styling, the Contour/Mystique is virtually identical to the Mondeo. As is typical of European cars, the Contour's best qualities have to do with performance, offering superb handling, good high speed touring ability, quick, precise steering, a tight body, and great brakes. The Contour feels secure on treacherous twisty roads, and “responds to the driver's commands better than other family cars in its class, in my opinion. Definitely a driver’s car, However, some ride comfort has been sacrificed to attain that excellent handling, and people who are used to the softer rides of North American cars may find the Contour a bit stiff over bumpy roads. Two engines are available, both sophisticated multi-valve, dual over- head cam units with smocth, high revving characteristics, Base Contours have a 125-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, while upscale models offer a 170-horse- power 2.5-litre V6 engine. Both Greg Wilson manuiil (five-speed) and automatic (four-speed) transmissions are avail- able on all models. My test car, an SE sedan, had the V6 engine and the manual five-speed transmission. The V6 engine is qui- eter and smoother than the four- cylinder powerplant and provides quick acceleration over a wide rev wpa Price as tested: (SE $19,875 Base price: (GL $16,895 Type: four-door, five-passen- ger compact sedan Layout: transverse engine/front- -wheel-drive Engine: 2.5-litre V6, DOHC, 24 valves, electronic fuel injec tion Horsepower; 170 @ 6,250 npn Torque: 165 fi-lbs @ 4,250 npn. Transmission; range. The engine produces a very sporty exhaust note and has, even in higher gears, lots of extra power. Fortunately, this powerful engine produces very little torque steer (power-induced twisting of the stecr- ing wheel) under hard acceleration. The four-cylinder engine is a great powerplant too, but has fess torque for the fow-speed acceleration that is sometimes needed when changing lanes or moving onto the freeway. However, it does get better gas mileage than the V6, and is less expensive to purchase. The Contour’s manual tranny has short, easy throws, and is placed within easy reach of the driver. The four- speed automatic is smooth, but isn’t as much fun. My test car had powerful four- wheel disc brakes with ABS, but base models have disc/drum brakes and ABS is optional or not available . on some models. A sophisticated all- speed traction control system, to pre- vent the front wheels spinning while four-eylo front five-speed TECHNICAL DATA VO) manual (four-speed automatic) Curb weight: 1.379 kg (3,040 Ibs.) Wheelbase: 2,705 1am (106.5 in ) Length: 4,671 mm (183.9 in.) Width: 1,755 mm (69.) ind Height: §,384 mm (54.5 in.) ires: P20S/60R-15 all-season Trunk capacity: 399 titres ({4.1 cu. ft.) Fuel consumption: City —— 11.5 1/100 km (25 mpg); Hwy. — 7.4 1/100 km (38 mpg) Warranty: three yrs/60,000 km accelerating on slippery surfaces, is _ also available as an option on uplev- el models. {t must be ordered with the disc brake/ABS option. Traction control is not available on most other cars in this class. The Contour’s interior has a snug, wrap-around feeling with a rather busy dashboard and excellent analogue instrumentation. The rotary heater/air-conditioning controls are - easy enough to use but not everyone will like the push-button volume control for the radio. And there’s no tilt steering-wheel, though the dri- ver’s seat is height-adjustable in some models. A unique Micron air filation system, which filters out microscopic dust and pollen, is stan- dard equipment on all Contours. The Contour is narrower than many cars in its class and rear feg room is only adequate, making its interior smaller thar, most other cars in its price range. Buse prices for the Contour are GL, $16,895; LX, $17,795; and SE. $19,795. aezt WE'RE CLEARING ALL REMAINING NEW AND DEMONSTRATOR 1994 PRODUCTS (Note Please: M.S.A.P= Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, not a higher market price rnost work from) “TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE EXAMPLES” MSRP is $24,548 ‘18,998 Can you believe? A loaded, brand new Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme! Stk. #12-5920 Telepnone 987-5231 MSRP is si7t 008 $43,998 Last of its class! A demo rally sport Cavalier Coupe. Loaded, V6, 5 spd., roof. Stk. #02-6233 SAVE °5,370 MSRP is $03" 368 Perfect family van! A loaded Lumina, our body shop manager's demo. Stk. #20-7267 es $4,165 MSRP is $3071 163 Ultimate on/off road S/T Blazer 4x4 demo, all options including leather. Stk, #48-7075 Hours: 9-9 Mon-Thurs E 9-6 Fri.-Sat.