1985 Mercury Topaz GS Coupe Test Drive

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Like Chrysler’s K-cars, the Ford Temp and Mercury Topaz were now fitted with throttle-body injection in place of a carburetor. And like the entire lineup of 1985 Fords they got an improved power assisted steering system and a new shift pattern on the 5-speeds, which now had reverse located behind 5th where you were less likely to grind off. In keeping with the emphasis on performance, there was an optional 2.3-liter Plus that was available on the sport coupe. Performance and smoothness were up; engine noise and harshness were down. Overall, the cars were more refined and more responsive, though the inside front wheel was still prone to lifitng during hard cornering.

Side note:

Ford demonstrated an airbag system for the Tempo/Topaz that it would build in limited quantities for the government. It was a simple driver-only bag in the steering wheel that Ford said would cost $400 in full production. The system relied on crash sensors located in the bumper, radiator support and cowl. Each senso had a metal ball held in place by a magnet. In a collision, the ball breaks its magnetic bond, slides forward and hits metal contacts. This completes a circuit that creates heat and ignites a pyrotechnic material in the airbag that in turn ignites hydrogen gas and inflates the bag in 0.04 seconds. Because of the rapid cooling of the gas, the bag deflates immediately.