Ford’s 3.0-liter V-6 was a new option for Tempo’s family of front-drive 2- and 4-door compacts. It was optional on the base GL and top-line LX models and standard on the sporty GLS. The six was also used by Taurus, though here it was rated at 135 horsepower, versus 140. Five speed manual and 3-speed automatic transmissions were offered. A rear stabilizer bar came with the V-6 and the GLS received a new sport suspension. The six replaced a 100-horsepower 2.3-liter four in the GLS. A 96-horsepower 2.3 continued as the base engine in the GL and LX.
All Tempos got a new monotone exterior, 4-door models got new tail-lamps, and the GLS got fog lamps, alloy wheels, and 15-inch wheels, versus 14s on lesser trims. A driver’s airbag remained optional on all 4-doors. Slow sales did what poor driving conditions couldn’t: stopped the Four-Wheel Drive model. It was dropped after five years.
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