Ford Orion

The Ford Orion is a C-segment automobile produced by the American manufacturer Ford for the European market between 1983 and 1993. The Orion is the sedan version of the Ford Escort, which is a hatchback of the C segment, and was designed as a link in the Ford model range between this and the Ford Sierra, the latter from the D segment. The longer rear overhang gives it a larger trunk compared to the Escort.

First generation (1983-1990)

Introduction

The Orion was presented in the Brazilian market on June 22, 1983 and announced under the slogan Ford Orion: the conquest of space. The model was created to fill the gap in the Ford range between the Escort and the Sierra, replacing the Taunus/Cortina.

Since it was initially intended for a higher market segment than the Escort, the Orion was only offered with the highest trim levels of the Escort, the GL and Ghia. The 1.6 Ghia, for example, offered electric windows, central locking, electric exterior mirrors, sunroof, variable speed wipers, headlight washers, folding rear seats, headrests and seat belts in the rear seats, tachometer, H-4 halogen headlights and pre-installation of radio equipment, among other details that were quite difficult to find in other C segment models of the time. The Ford Orion included ABS, driver airbag, air conditioning, alloy wheels (depending on versions) and front electric windows in the optional equipment.

Engines

All Orion engines were transverse four-cylinder engines. In the first body of the Orión there were 69 HP 1.3 GL engines with a maximum speed of 157 km/h, and an average consumption of 7.5 liters per 100 km, its price in Spain in January 1984 was 1,023,000 pesetas (€6,148), the 1.6 GL had a 1,597 cm³ engine with 79 HP and a maximum speed of 164 km/h, consuming an average of 9.4 liters per 100 km, its price in Spain according to Motor 16 magazine was 1,055,600 pesetas (€6,344.28). After the 1986 restyling, there were several gasoline engines, a 1.4 carbureted CVH with 75 HP, a 1.6 liter displacement, with a maximum power of 90 HP at 6000 and 5800 rpm, a 1.6 with fuel injection, from the Escort XR3, which produced 105 hp at 6000 rpm . All were water-cooled, with a cast block and five-bearing crankshaft. The cylinder head is made of aluminum and houses the camshaft (moved by a toothed belt) and the valves (2 per cylinder) actuated by hydraulic tappets, a novelty at the time. The radiator fan was electrically driven (eliminating the need for a belt) regulated by a thermostat. The ignition was of the transistorized electronic type.

Since 1984, an Orion with a 1.6 cc four-cylinder diesel engine was also offered. Unlike the CVH, the diesel had a cast block and cylinder head and inverted hub tappets. It was powered by a rotary mechanical pump and produced 54 hp at 4800 rpm. At the beginning it was also possible to mount a turbo to this extra-series engine for about one hundred thousand pesetas, later in the latest versions of the 1989 version, another version was offered with the 1.8 TD model.

Transmission and suspension

The Orion had a self-supporting frame and front-wheel drive. It was available with a five-speed synchronized manual gearbox and a dry, cable-actuated single-disc clutch with automatic regulation. As an option, a three-speed ATX automatic transmission with a torque converter could be chosen.

The suspension was independent on all four wheels, with McPherson columns with a stabilizer bar at the front and swing arms with longitudinal struts at the rear. In all cases it was fitted with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and progressive action coil springs. The brakes were hydraulic, servo-assisted, double circuit (X-shaped) with ventilated discs at the front and self-adjusting drums at the rear. The steering was unassisted rack and pinion, with a turning diameter of 10.6 meters. The tires were radial tires measuring 155/80 R13, except for the 1.6 injection version which had 175/70 R13 and optionally 185/60 R14.

Criticism

The model was well received in the market. The specialized press praised its spaciousness and interior comfort, its large trunk, its performance (CVH engines) and low consumption (diesel engine), as well as its equipment options.

However, it also attracted criticism due to the suspension, a problem that the Escort had also had, which was somewhat hard and had short travel. Being longer and heavier than the Escort and lacking a rear stabilizer bar, the Orion was excessively understeering and tended to lean excessively in corners. Additionally, due to the angle of the front suspension, handling was also compromised. On asphalt in good condition the steering was smooth and precise, but on bumpy roads it was necessary to make continuous corrections in the trajectory, a detail that earned the Orion a reputation as a car with somewhat strange behavior. Its three-volume body, despite Having excellent aerodynamics (Cx=0.365) also increased its sensitivity to side wind.

1986 restyling

In 1986, coinciding with the launch of the Scorpio, the Ford range underwent a restyling, which in the case of the Orion consisted of a redesign of the front (similar to that of the Scorpio), new bumpers and moldings and a new dashboard and dashboard. controls, as well as a redesign of the taillights and new finishes on the hubcaps. Mechanically, the biggest novelty was the incorporation of an ABS anti-lock braking system (mechanically operated) and slight variations in the suspension to solve the defects of the previous version. The ALB had a cost of 80,500 ptas, other extras were sunroofs 53,500 ptas, rear inertial belts 20,700 ptas, rearview mirror for the passenger 4,100 ptas, left rear fog light 2,400 ptas, defrosting for the windshield 21,400 ptas.

Changes were also introduced in the engines: the 1.3 lowered its power to 60 HP but was only available for the escort and the 1.6, now with a double Webber carburetor, rose to 90 HP instead of the previous 79. For the low range, a 1.4-liter engine and also a double carburetor emerged with 75;CV at 5600 rpm. In 1986 only the CL and Ghia trim levels were available. In 1989 a new diesel engine appeared, this time 1.8 liters, which produced 60;CV at 4500 rpm. Regarding equipment, the power steering, RS kit, central locking (with security locks) and a 4-speaker stereo radio were added to the catalog of extras. Air conditioning appeared as an option during the summer of 1988. The top of the range was the 105 hp, with the same engine as the XR3i escort that had a maximum speed of 177 km/h and did 0-100 in 11.6 seconds, They were as follows: In the city 9.7 liters, on the highway 5.6 liters, on the highway 7 liters per 100 km, which made an average of 8.2 liters. Its price in June 1986 was 1,497,000 pesetas (€8,997).

At the beginning of its commercial life, Ford tried to introduce the Orion as a C-segment luxury car, a step above the Escort, presenting it in its advertising with Ghia finishes (luxury finish in Ford), avoiding launching basic engine versions. and finish and giving it a higher price than the Escort. Finally, Ford also began to launch basic versions of the Orion, having not achieved its commercial objective of creating a model with a differentiated image. There were several trim levels: CL, GL, and Ghia, as well as a sports version, the GT. This expansion of the range made the Orion one of the best-selling cars in its category in all of Europe. In the same way, units with diesel engines had become popular among taxi drivers for their reliability and low consumption.

It should be said that in Spain in January 1987, 2,540 Ford Orions were sold against 2,341 Ford Escorts, and in January 1986, 544 Orions were sold against 634 units of the Escort. So the Model 8 was among the best-selling cars in the country, only ahead of the Opel Kadett and the Renault 11 among the compact category. The 1989 price list changed noticeably in Spain, the most basic version, the 75 HP 1.4 CL cost 1,535,000 pesetas, the Millionaire version appeared to cover the gap between the CL and the luxurious Ghia, it shared the 1.6 90 engine. CV of the Ghia but it had another finish, with hubcaps different from the CL, and manual windows, the price was 1,637,000 pesetas, against 1,685,000 for the ghia, with the same mechanics, the price of the Injection Ghia with 105 HP was of 1,837,208 pesetas and the Ghia Diesel 1,815,000 that has already replaced the old 1.6D of 54 HP with the new 1.8 D of 60 HP. The automatic transmission was available for 174,000 pesetas. Only in the 1.6 90 HP engine. At the end of its commercial life before the change in 1990, a new designation called Mark II was released, with a price of 1,628,000 and a 90 HP engine. Unfortunately the luxurious 1600 E version with leather seats, wood finishes and multi-spoke wheels was never available in the Spanish market.

It should be noted that 5 months before being replaced, the Spanish Civil Guard acquired 56 units of Ford Orion 1.6 injection for its traffic patrols, replacing the outdated Seat Ritmo and Talbot 150. They were decorated with the characteristic front, rear and rear hoods. Dark green front doors on a white chassis.

Special editions

• Ford Orion 1600 Millionaire.
• Ford Orion 1800D Millionaire.

Second generation (1990-1998)

In September 1990, the second generation of the Orion (and fifth of the Escort) appeared. Unlike the 1986 model, which was a simple restyling, this was a completely redesigned model, with a new frame and a torsion bar rear suspension, which replaced the previous independent one.

Ford's decision to maintain the previous engines was criticized by the automotive press, accusing the manufacturer of being excessively conservative and of having 'lowered the bar', with bland-looking cars and outdated mechanics. However, despite the detractors, both the Escort and the Orion maintained an acceptable level of popularity among the public. ^{[citation required]}

In 1992, the generation of Zetec gasoline engines with fuel injection was released, and the Endura diesel engines with a displacement of 1.8 liters, both naturally aspirated and with turbocharging. The car received a restyling based on new bumpers, grille, hood and, in the case of the Escort, a new rear with older drivers, being marketed as Orion Class and Escort Equipe. The Ford Orion was the 4-door version of the range while the Escort was the 3- and 5-door version. The structure of the vehicle was also modified, adding side protection bars, new impact absorption zones and even airbags.

In terms of equipment, it incorporated new features such as power steering, anti-lock braking system (electronically controlled) and air conditioning as standard in the high range and available as an option in the rest of the range. These changes were intended to modernize the car and improve its image, so that it did not lose its competitiveness compared to other models on the market.

In September 1993, Ford Europe changed the name of the Orion to Escort, sharing the name with the hatchbacks and estates. Models with a sedan body were produced until 1998, when the replacement for the Escort range, the Ford Focus, was launched.

Ford Orion (1989 -1996)

In Brazil it was slightly modified between Ford and the association with Volkswagen, of which the model began to be sold under the 2 brands, known as Ford Verona or VW Apollo, the first generation 1989-1992 the most notable modifications were that it was a 2 doors and rear optics similar to those of the Ford Sierra.

In the second generation 1993-1996, the model had no changes with respect to the second Orion, it was identical, only the name of its predecessor changed and the only barely noticeable difference was the larger front fog lamps.