| Despite what other people may say, I'm telling you right now, the Ford
Lynx is not a Mazda 323 in drag! Though Ford owns both of the said brands,
they have kept a degree of difference in the overall image and execution.
Sure, the Lynx may have borrowed the window and mirror switches from the
1997 Mazda 323, but it's still a surprisingly satisfying vehicle.
Ford wanted to introduce the Ford Lynx as the Ford Laser in 1998, but because
of naming problems (people associate the Laser name to the dismal 323-clone
of the 80s), Ford decided to call this car, Ford Lynx. A proper move
if I may add, because the name 'Lynx' actually jives with Ford's European
branding which include other wild cats such as the Puma and the Cougar
(Ford's Jaguars are a different story). Take note though that a very
close inspection of the Lynx badge actually reads 'Laser' though in very
fine print.
Overall, the Ford Lynx Ghia is an excellent 1.6-liter car. In
fact, after various tests with all the other competitors, (except for the
Honda Civic, which we haven't fully tested), the Lynx is a cut above the
rest. It's fast, refined, roomy, delightful to drive and best of
all, different. Yes, in a sea of generic Japanese jellybean shapes,
the Ford Lynx provides a whiff of fresh air. Ford has taken a big gamble
by introducing just a single engine for the two Lynx models available here:
a 1.6 DOHC 16-valve inline-4. Motoring enthusiasts would like to
note that this same engine sees action in at least two other cars that
I know of: the Mazda 323 and the Mazda MX5. However, this time, the
engine has been massaged to bring out 118 bhp at 5500 rpm (from 115 bhp
in the Mazda) and 14.8 kg-m. of torque at 4000 rpm. Why do I consider
this a big gamble? Because Ford is banking on the higher echelon
market to buy the Ford Lynx rather than the 'corporate / taxi fleet' strategy
employed by Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan. This of course will do
well when it comes to preserving the Lynx's image as a more luxury-biased
small family car.
Ford's luxury-focused intentions for the Lynx clearly show from both
the inside and the outside. In the inside for instance, the fit and
finish of the Lynx's interior can even make the Toyota Corolla's blush
with shame. The whole dash feels as if it was carved from one solid piece:
it feels solid and rigid. The switch gear, especially for the wipers and
lights, feel as if it doesn't belong to a 1.6-liter car, but to a higher
class car, maybe to Ford's Volvo S40. The champagne-silver console makes
sure that the Lynx's cabin doesn't end up too sober. There are a
few cheesy bits such as the flimsy trunk and fuel filler release and hard-plastic
center storage bin, but overall the interior is intelligently designed
and well-executed.
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| The champagne-silver
console makes sure that the Lynx's cabin doesn't look to sober. Compared
to other cars, the silvery look doesn't end up too cheesy in this car. |
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| This a car a Mazda 323?
I think not! Though made by the same company, the Ford Lynx is thankfully
different from its Japanese cousin. |
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| The Lynx is a breath
of fresh air from the typical Japanese family saloon. In fact, Ford took
a big gamble not to take the low engine road but instead introduce only
one engine variant: a 1.6 DOHC 16-valve inline-4 engine...and it paid off. |
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| Aside from the switches,
this is the only other thing borrowed from the 323: the Lynx's engine.
However, this engine is massaged to produce more power, albeit a higher
fuel bill too (6 km. per liter is bad for a 1.6!) |
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