Ford Telstar

Ford Telstar: which generation to start from

Start from the job, not the year stamp.

Start from the job, not the year stamp.

• Measured acceleration and economy exist only on 1 generation and 4 generation. Every 2 generation, 3 generation, and 5 generation 0–100 km/h, top speed, city / highway / mixed consumption, CO2, and eco class is not measured. If you need a number for 0–100 km/h, you are choosing among twelve versions in those two generations, not among thirty.
• Lightest cars are 1 generation. The 1.6 MT 80 hp and 1.6 AT 80 hp sit at 995 kg. The heaviest Telstar in the file is the 2 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp AWD at 1340 kg — 345 kg more, or about 35% heavier.
• Highest specific output is 5 generation 2.0 AT 170 hp: 170 hp / 1.991 L ≈ 85.4 hp/L, kerb 1240 kg → 7.29 kg/hp. Lowest specific output is 2 generation 2.0 AT Diesel 82 hp: 82 / 1.998 ≈ 41.0 hp/L, 1270 kg → 15.49 kg/hp.
• AWD exists only on 2 generation, 3 generation, and one 5 generation 2.0 AT. It is never on 1 generation or 4 generation.
• 6 cylinders V-shaped exist only on 3 generation (1.8 AT, 1.8 MT, 2.0 AT 160 hp, 2.0 MT 160 hp). Every other Telstar here is 4 cylinders Inline.
• Diesel and Compressor exist only on 2 generation 2.0 AT 82 hp and 2.0 MT 82 hp. Every other engine is Gasoline, boost No.

Calendar overlap is real: 2 generation runs to 1992 and 3 generation starts 1991; 3 generation runs to 1996 and 4 generation is 1994–1997; 4 generation runs to 1997 and 5 generation starts 1996. A 1996 car can be 3, 4, or 5 generation — identify it by the version table below, not by the year alone.

Engines and specs

Exact catalogue names. Power per litre and kg per hp are arithmetic on the given figures.

1 generation (1982–1987) Sedan — six versions

Front, transverse; distributed injection (multi-point); compression 8.6; bore × stroke 81 × 77 (1.6) or 86 × 86 (2.0). This is the only generation with 2 valves per cylinder and with a 4-speed Manual / 3-speed Automatic. Specific output: 80/1.587 ≈ 50.4 hp/L; 101/1.998 ≈ 50.6 hp/L; 120/1.998 ≈ 60.1 hp/L. The step from 101 hp to 120 hp is +19 hp (+19%) and +22 Nm on the same 1998 cc and the same 8.6 compression — it is not a larger engine.

2 generation (1987–1992) Sedan — eight versions

Two 1.8 AT share 115 hp; they split as FWD versus AWD.

Gasoline 1.8: compression 8.8, 86 × 77. Gasoline 2.0: compression 10, 86 × 86. Diesel 2.0: compression 21.1, 86 × 86, Compressor. The Diesel 82 hp makes 181 Nm at 2000 rpm; the Gasoline 1.8 82 hp makes 133 Nm at 2500 rpm — +48 Nm and 500 rpm earlier, on a 209 cc larger Diesel. The Gasoline 2.0 AT 145 hp makes 186 Nm at 4000 rpm — only 5 Nm more than the Diesel, but 2000 rpm later. Specific output: 82/1.789 ≈ 45.8 hp/L (Gasoline 1.8); 115/1.789 ≈ 64.3 hp/L; 145/1.998 ≈ 72.6 hp/L; Diesel 82/1.998 ≈ 41.0 hp/L.

3 generation (1991–1996) Sedan — six versions

Two 2.0 AT and two 2.0 MT — split 125 hp (4 Inline, AWD, 1991 cc) versus 160 hp (6 V-shaped, FWD, 1995 cc).

1.8 V-shaped: compression 9.2, 75 × 69.6. 2.0 Inline AWD: compression 9, 83 × 92. 2.0 V-shaped: compression 10, 78 × 69.6. Specific output: 140/1.844 ≈ 75.9 hp/L; 125/1.991 ≈ 62.8 hp/L; 160/1.995 ≈ 80.2 hp/L. The 1.8 140 hp is 15 hp stronger than the 2.0 125 hp AWD despite 147 cc less; it also revs 1500 rpm higher for peak power (7000 vs 5500). The 160 hp 2.0 is +35 hp over the 125 hp 2.0 on only 4 cc more — the difference is 6 V-shaped versus 4 Inline, fuel 95 versus 92, FWD versus AWD, not displacement.

4 generation (1994–1997) Sedan — six versions

Two 1.8 MT and two 1.8 AT — split 90 hp versus 105 hp (same 155 Nm, same 1839 cc).

Compression 9.7 (1.8) or 9 (2.0); 83 x 85 or 83 x 92. Specific output: 90/1.839 ≈ 48.9 hp/L; 105/1.839 ≈ 57.1 hp/L; 115/1.991 ≈ 57.8 hp/L. The 105 hp 1.8 and the 115 hp 2.0 are almost the same hp/L; the 2.0’s extra 152 cc buys +10 hp and +15 Nm, not a denser engine.

5 generation (1996–1999) Sedan — four versions

Two 2.0 AT — 140 hp AWD versus 170 hp FWD.

Compression 9 (1.8), 9.1 (140 hp), 10.4 (170 hp); 83 × 85 or 83 × 92. Specific output: 125/1.839 ≈ 68.0 hp/L; 140/1.991 ≈ 70.3 hp/L; 170/1.991 ≈ 85.4 hp/L. The 170 hp 2.0 AT is only +2 Nm over the 140 hp 2.0 AT (180 vs 178) but +30 hp and 500 rpm higher peak power, with fuel 95 versus 92 and FWD versus AWD.

Performance and economy

Not measured on every 2 generation, 3 generation, and 5 generation version: 0–100 km/h, top speed, city, highway, mixed, CO2, eco class.

1 generation (measured):

• 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 80 hp: 0–100 12.5 s, top 165 km/h, city 9.2, highway 6, mixed 7.7. Same times for Manual 4 and Automatic 3 at the same 995 kg.
• 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 101 hp: 0–100 10.8 s (−1.7 s vs 1.6), top 180 km/h (+15), city 9.8, highway 6.3, mixed 8.1. Extra 0.411 L costs +0.6 city / +0.3 highway / +0.4 mixed and buys 1.7 s and 15 km/h.
• 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 120 hp: 0–100 9.6 s (−1.2 s vs 101 hp, −2.9 s vs 1.6), top 190 km/h. City, highway, mixed: not measured. CO2 and eco class: not measured on all six.

4 generation (measured, and identical fuel figures on all six): city 10.5, highway 6.2, mixed 8.3. CO2 and eco class: not measured.

• 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 90 hp: 0–100 12.6 s, top 181 km/h — 0.1 s slower than 1 generation 1.6 80 hp, but +16 km/h top speed, at 1175 kg versus 995 kg (+180 kg).
• 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 105 hp: 0–100 11.9 s (−0.7 s), top 190 km/h (+9). Same 155 Nm as the 90 hp; the 15 hp shows up as 0.7 s and 9 km/h, not as torque.
• 2.0 MT 115 hp: 0–100 10.9 s, top 198 km/h — fastest 4 generation sprint and highest top speed in the whole Telstar file (198 vs 1 generation 120 hp at 190).
• 2.0 AT 115 hp: 0–100 13.4 s, top 185 km/h. Same 115 hp, 170 Nm, 1185 kg as the 2.0 MT. Automatic 4 versus Manual 5 costs +2.5 s to 100 km/h and −13 km/h top speed. That is the largest gearbox gap in the measured set. On 1 generation, Manual and Automatic of the same power share the same 0–100 and top speed.

Tank: not measured on 1 generation; 60 L on generations 2, 3, 4, and 5. Wheel sizes: not measured on all 30.

Dimensions and weight

Gross weight is measured only on 1 generation (1650 kg all six) and 4 generation (1645 kg on all 1.8, 1675 kg on both 2.0). On generations 2, 3, and 5, gross weight is not measured.

Kerb weight and ground clearance (kg / mm):

1 generation: 1.6 MT 995 / 165; 1.6 AT 995 / 165; 2.0 MT 101 hp 1035 / 165; 2.0 AT 101 hp 1035 / 165; 2.0 MT 120 hp 1080 / 165; 2.0 AT 120 hp 1080 / 165. Payload arithmetic where gross exists: 1650−995 = 655 kg on 1.6; 1650−1035 = 615 kg on 101 hp; 1650−1080 = 570 kg on 120 hp.

2 generation: 1.8 MT 1080 / 150; 1.8 AT 82 hp 1120 / 150; 1.8 AT 115 hp FWD 1190 / 165; 1.8 AT 115 hp AWD 1300 / 170; 2.0 AT 145 hp FWD 1280 / 155; 2.0 AT 145 hp AWD 1340 / 170; 2.0 AT Diesel 1270 / 165; 2.0 MT Diesel 1190 / 165. AWD on the 115 hp 1.8 AT adds 110 kg and +5 mm clearance versus that FWD; AWD on the 145 hp 2.0 AT adds 60 kg and +15 mm. Lowest clearance in the whole file is 150 mm on the 82 hp 1.8 pair. Highest is 170 mm on both 2 generation AWD cars.

3 generation: 1.8 AT 1190 / 160; 1.8 MT 1160 / 160; 2.0 MT 125 hp 1240 / 160; 2.0 AT 125 hp 1280 / 160; 2.0 AT 160 hp 1220 / 160; 2.0 MT 160 hp 1190 / 160. Automatic adds 30 kg on the 1.8 (1190−1160) and 40 kg on the 125 hp 2.0 (1280−1240) and on the 160 hp 2.0 (1220−1190). The 125 hp AWD Automatic is 90 kg heavier than the 160 hp FWD Manual (1280 vs 1190) while making 35 hp less.

4 generation: all 1.8 at 1175 / 160; both 2.0 at 1185 / 160. Automatic adds 0 kg versus Manual of the same power — unique in the file. Payload: 1645−1175 = 470 kg (1.8); 1675−1185 = 490 kg (2.0). Versus 1 generation 1.6, payload is 185 kg smaller (470 vs 655) while kerb is 180 kg higher.

5 generation: 1.8 MT 1180 / 165; 1.8 AT 1220 / 165; 2.0 AT 140 hp AWD 1330 / 160; 2.0 AT 170 hp 1240 / 165. Automatic on 1.8 adds 40 kg. The 140 hp AWD is 90 kg heavier than the 170 hp FWD (1330 vs 1240) and 5 mm lower.

Front brakes: 1 generation Disc; 2 generation Gasoline 82 hp Drum at the rear with Disc front (not ventilated in the 1 generation label); 2 generation 1.8 82 hp and Diesel use Ventilated disc front + Drum rear; 2 generation 115 hp AWD and both 145 hp use Ventilated disc + Disc; 3 generation Ventilated disc + Disc; 4 generation Ventilated disc + Disc; 5 generation 1.8 Ventilated disc + Drum, both 2.0 AT Ventilated disc + Disc. Suspension on the labelled versions is Independent, spring front and rear. Wheel size is not measured.

kg/hp (kerb / hp), lowest is best on this ratio: 5 generation 2.0 AT 170 hp 7.29; 3 generation 2.0 MT 160 hp 7.44; 3 generation 2.0 AT 160 hp 7.62; 3 generation 1.8 MT 8.29; 1 generation 2.0 120 hp 9.00; 5 generation 1.8 MT 9.44; 4 generation 2.0 10.30; 2 generation 1.8 82 hp MT 13.17; 2 generation Diesel AT 15.49.

Which version to choose

No prices are in the data, so “what the extra displacement buys” is only hp, Nm, kg, drive, and — where measured — seconds and km/h.

If you need a 0–100 km/h number: stay in 1 generation or 4 generation. The quickest measured Telstar is 1 generation 2.0 MT 120 hp and 2.0 AT 120 hp at 9.6 s and 190 km/h, 1080 kg, FWD, Gasoline 92, Manual 4 or Automatic 3. The fastest top speed in the file is 4 generation 2.0 MT at 198 km/h (10.9 s) — 8 km/h more than that 120 hp car, 1.3 s slower, 105 kg heavier (1185 vs 1080), fuel 95, Manual 5. Do not buy 4 generation 2.0 AT for pace: 13.4 s / 185 km/h is slower than 4 generation 1.8 AT 90 hp (12.6 s / 181) despite +25 hp. The Automatic 4 is the whole gap.

If you want the least mass: 1 generation 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT at 995 kg, 80 hp, 12.5 s, 165 km/h, mixed 7.7. That is 185 kg lighter than any 4 generation 1.8 and 345 kg lighter than 2 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp AWD.

If you want AWD: only nine cars. 2 generation: 1.8 AT 115 hp AWD (1300 kg, 170 mm) and 2.0 AT 145 hp AWD (1340 kg, 170 mm). 3 generation: 2.0 MT 125 hp (1240 kg) and 2.0 AT 125 hp (1280 kg), both 160 mm. 5 generation: 2.0 AT 140 hp (1330 kg, 160 mm). AWD never pairs with the 160 hp or 170 hp engines. The lightest AWD is 3 generation 2.0 MT 125 hp at 1240 kg — 100 kg lighter than 2 generation 1.8 AT 115 hp AWD, +10 hp, but 0–100 not measured.

If you want 6 cylinders V-shaped: only 3 generation. Buy 1.8 MT (140 hp, 1160 kg, 8.29 kg/hp, fuel 92) unless you want the extra 20 hp of 2.0 MT 160 hp (1190 kg, fuel 95, +30 kg, +4 cc). Automatic costs 30–40 kg on these two engines. Do not buy 3 generation 2.0 AT 125 hp expecting a stronger 2.0: it is the weak 4 Inline AWD, 35 hp down on the 160 hp 2.0 AT, 60 kg up (1280 vs 1220).

If you want Diesel: only 2 generation 2.0 MT 82 hp (1190 kg) or 2.0 AT 82 hp (1270 kg), Compressor, 181 Nm @ 2000, compression 21.1, Drum rear. Versus Gasoline 1.8 MT 82 hp in the same generation: same 82 hp, +48 Nm, +110 kg (1190 vs 1080), clearance 165 vs 150. 0–100 not measured.

If you want the highest hp/L and lowest kg/hp: 5 generation 2.0 AT 170 hp, 170 hp, 180 Nm, 1240 kg, FWD, Automatic 4, fuel 95, Disc rear, 165 mm. Versus 5 generation 2.0 AT 140 hp AWD: +30 hp, +2 Nm, −90 kg, fuel 95 vs 92, FWD vs AWD, 165 vs 160 mm. Versus 5 generation 1.8 MT 125 hp: +45 hp, +21 Nm, +60 kg. 0–100 on all three: not measured.

If you want a late 1.8 without the 5 generation 125 hp tune: 4 generation 1.8 MT 105 hp (11.9 s, 190 km/h, 1175 kg, mixed 8.3) beats 4 generation 1.8 MT 90 hp by 0.7 s and 9 km/h at the same 155 Nm and 1175 kg. 5 generation 1.8 MT is 125 hp and 1180 kg but 0–100 not measured; versus 4 generation 105 hp it is +20 hp and +4 Nm at +5 kg.

If you want 2 generation Gasoline pace without AWD mass: 2.0 AT 145 hp FWD (1280 kg, 155 mm, 186 Nm @ 4000, fuel 95) versus 2.0 AT 145 hp AWD (1340 kg, 170 mm): same engine, +60 kg and +15 mm for AWD. Versus 1.8 AT 115 hp FWD (1190 kg): +30 hp, +30 Nm, +90 kg. 0–100 not measured.

Manual versus Automatic, where the data differ: 1 generation — no time difference at equal power. 4 generation 2.0 — 2.5 s and 13 km/h in the Automatic’s disfavour. 2/3/5 generation — times not measured; weight penalty is 0 kg (4 generation 1.8), 30–40 kg (3 and 5 generation 1.8 / 2.0), 40 kg (2 generation 1.8 82 hp: 1120 vs 1080), 80 kg (2 generation Diesel: 1270 vs 1190).

Reliability / problems: this catalogue has no failure rates, no service intervals, and no defect lists. What can be said from the hardware labels: 1 generation is the only 2-valves-per-cylinder set and the only 3-speed Automatic; 2 generation Diesel is the only Compressor and the only compression 21.1; 3 generation is the only 6 V-shaped, with peak power at 7000 rpm on the 1.8; 5 generation 1.8 returns to Drum rear brakes after 3 and 4 generation Disc rear. None of that is a measured reliability score.

Short list, still using only these numbers:

1. Measured sprint, lightest strong 2.0: 1 generation 2.0 MT 120 hp (or 2.0 AT 120 hp) — 9.6 s, 190 km/h, 1080 kg. 2. Measured top speed, 4 generation: 2.0 MT 115 hp — 10.9 s, 198 km/h, 1185 kg; skip 2.0 AT 115 hp at 13.4 s. 3. Peak output: 5 generation 2.0 AT 170 hp — 170 hp, 7.29 kg/hp; times not measured. 4. Six cylinders, lightest: 3 generation 1.8 MT — 140 hp, 1160 kg; or 2.0 MT 160 hp if you want +20 hp. 5. AWD, lightest: 3 generation 2.0 MT 125 hp — 1240 kg. 6. Diesel: 2 generation 2.0 MT 82 hp — 181 Nm @ 2000, 1190 kg. 7. Least mass, least hp: 1 generation 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT — 995 kg, 12.5 s, mixed 7.7.

Every other named Telstar in this file is a mix of those seven jobs. Match the exact string — 1.8 MT, 1.8 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT — then split duplicates by hp and by FWD/AWD as in the tables.