1997 Ford Aspire > Specs
This is a abridged form of the Consumer Guide report on the Ford Aspire; here is the full report.
Korean-built, Mazda-designed minicompact went on sale early in 1994, replacing the Festiva as Ford's entry-level automobile. Dual airbags were standard and antilock braking optional. The front-drive Aspire used a 63-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, with 5-speed manual shift or optional 3-speed automatic transmission. Automatic was optional only on base-model Aspires, and available power steering could be installed only on base-model 4-doors. Both 2- and 4-door hatchbacks were sold, the latter on a longer wheelbase. Both came in base-level trim, and the 2-door could be ordered in upscale SE guise, adding fog lamps, a rear spoiler, and different seats and interior trim.
For 1997 there came minor appearance changes, including new front and rear bumpers, headlamps, turn signals, taillamps, and wheel covers. Aspire did not return for 1998 (or ever).
These are for the two-door hatchback.
| Wheelbase, in. | 90.7 |
| Overall Length, in. | 152.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 65.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2004.0 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 37.7 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 10.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 4.0 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.5 |
| Min. Rear Leg Room, in. | 33.6 |
Only one engine was available in Aspires: a 63-horsepower, 1.3-liter 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive with either 5-speed manual shift or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Nothing changed in the model's 4-year lifespan.
The following is with three-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | Size (L) | Horsepower | Torque | EPA city/hgwy | Consumer Guide Observed | Dept. of Energy Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ohc I4 | 1.3 | 63 | 74 | 29 / 34 | 27.9 | 29 |