The 1993 model year brought the second-generation Ford Probe, a fully restyled front-wheel-drive coupe built on the Mazda GE platform and still sharing most of its mechanical hardware with the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626. The redesign replaced the first generation's pop-up headlamps with fixed lamps and changed the performance formula. The base 1993-1997 Probe used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 118 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, and the GT replaced the earlier turbocharged four with the naturally aspirated Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6, a 24-valve four-cam engine rated at 164 horsepower, with 156 lb-ft of torque for 1993-1995 and 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997. The second-generation Probe was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993. Trims included the base Probe and the GT, with an SE trim offered during the run. Like the first generation, the second-generation Probe was built at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant that also assembled the Mazda MX-6 and 626, by then operating as AutoAlliance International. Ford ended Probe production after the 1997 model year, and the front-drive coupe was not replaced by a like-for-like Ford model.
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe at a glance
- Generation: second-generation Ford Probe, restyled front-wheel-drive coupe with fixed headlamps
- Platform: Mazda GE, shared with the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626
- Years: 1993 through 1997, the final Ford Probe generation
- Base engine: Mazda FS 2.0-liter four, 118 hp and 127 lb-ft
- GT engine: Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6, 24-valve, four-cam, 164 hp; 156 lb-ft for 1993-1995 and 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997
- Trims: base Probe and GT, with an SE trim during the run
- Recognition: Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993
- Built at: Flat Rock, Michigan, by AutoAlliance International, alongside the Mazda MX-6 and 626; discontinued after 1997
Ford Probe 1993-1997 year by year
| Year | Ford Probe changes | Engines offered |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Second-generation Ford Probe arrives on the Mazda GE platform with fixed headlamps; named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993; the GT trades the turbo four for a 2.5 V6 | Mazda FS 2.0 four (base); Mazda KL 2.5 V6 (GT) |
| 1994 | The 1994 Ford Probe adds a passenger-side airbag, standard on the GT and optional on the base car; dual front airbags become standard across the line for 1995 | Mazda FS 2.0 four; Mazda KL 2.5 V6 (GT) |
| 1995 | The 1995 Ford Probe continues with the base car and the GT; an SE trim is offered in the lineup | Mazda FS 2.0 four; Mazda KL 2.5 V6 (GT) |
| 1996 | The 1996 Ford Probe carries minor updates; the KL 2.5 V6 in the GT remained rated at 164 horsepower, with torque rising to 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997 | Mazda FS 2.0 four; Mazda KL 2.5 V6 (GT) |
| 1997 | Final model year of the Ford Probe; production of the front-drive coupe ends after 1997 | Mazda FS 2.0 four; Mazda KL 2.5 V6 (GT) |
The Mazda GE platform and the 1993 redesign
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe was built on the Mazda GE platform, the same platform used by the second-generation Mazda MX-6 and the contemporary Mazda 626, and it shared most of its mechanical hardware with those cars. The 1993 redesign replaced the first generation's pop-up headlamps with fixed lamps and gave the Probe new body and interior styling. The Probe continued to be assembled at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant alongside the Mazda MX-6, by then operating as AutoAlliance International after Ford took a 50 percent stake in 1992. The second-generation Probe was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993.
Engines of the 1993-1997 Ford Probe
The base 1993-1997 Ford Probe used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 118 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. The GT moved away from the first generation's turbocharged four and instead used the Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6, a 24-valve, four-camshaft engine rated at 164 horsepower, with torque of 156 lb-ft for 1993-1995 and 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997. The 2.5 V6 carried a variable-length intake system and was the Probe's top engine for the entire second generation. This 2.5 V6 is the Mazda-sourced six in the Probe, distinct from the Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6 that had been optional in the first-generation LX. Transmissions were a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic depending on engine and trim.
The second-generation Ford Probe GT
The GT was the performance version of the 1993-1997 Ford Probe and used the naturally aspirated Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 rated at 164 horsepower, with 156 lb-ft of torque for 1993-1995 and 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997, replacing the turbocharged four of the first-generation GT. The GT added four-wheel disc brakes, larger wheels and tires, and its own front and rear fascias. Because the second-generation GT used a V6 rather than a turbo four, it represents a different performance approach from the 1989-1992 GT, trading boosted four-cylinder torque for the smoothness and top-end of a four-cam V6.
Trims and the end of the Ford Probe
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe was sold as the base Probe and the GT, with an SE trim offered during the run. The base car and SE used the Mazda FS 2.0 four, and the GT used the Mazda KL 2.5 V6. Ford ended Probe production after the 1997 model year. The Probe was built at Flat Rock alongside the Mazda MX-6, and both front-drive coupes were dropped as the U.S. sport-coupe market contracted. Ford did not replace the Probe with a like-for-like front-drive coupe, and the rear-drive Mustang, which the Probe had once been planned to replace, continued in the lineup.
Frequently asked questions
What platform is the 1993-1997 Ford Probe?
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe is the second-generation car, built on the Mazda GE platform and sharing most of its mechanical hardware with the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626. The 1993 redesign replaced the first generation's pop-up headlamps with fixed lamps.
What engines did the 1993-1997 Ford Probe use?
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four (118 hp, 127 lb-ft) in the base car and the Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 (164 hp) in the GT, with V6 torque of 156 lb-ft for 1993-1995 and 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997. The GT's 2.5 V6 was a 24-valve, four-camshaft engine, and it replaced the turbocharged four used in the first-generation GT.
Is the second-generation Probe GT a V6?
Yes. The 1993-1997 Ford Probe GT used the Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 rated at 164 horsepower, a naturally aspirated 24-valve four-cam engine. This replaced the turbocharged four-cylinder used in the 1989-1992 first-generation GT.
Did the Ford Probe win Motor Trend Car of the Year?
Yes. The second-generation Ford Probe was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993, the year the redesigned coupe arrived on the Mazda GE platform.
When did the Ford Probe end?
Ford ended Ford Probe production after the 1997 model year, closing out the second generation. The front-drive coupe was discontinued as the U.S. sport-coupe segment shrank and was not replaced by a like-for-like Ford coupe.
Sources
- Ford factory specification literature for the 1993-1997 Probe
- Wikipedia, Ford Probe (second generation)
- Mazda FS and KL-DE engine references
- Mazda MX-6 and 626 platform-sharing references (Mazda GE platform)
- AutoAlliance International / Flat Rock plant production history; Motor Trend Car of the Year 1993
Asked all the time
What platform is the 1993-1997 Ford Probe?
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe is the second-generation car, built on the Mazda GE platform and sharing most of its mechanical hardware with the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626. The 1993 redesign replaced the first generation's pop-up headlamps with fixed lamps.
What engines did the 1993-1997 Ford Probe use?
The 1993-1997 Ford Probe used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four (118 hp, 127 lb-ft) in the base car and the Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 (164 hp) in the GT, with V6 torque of 156 lb-ft for 1993-1995 and 160 lb-ft for 1996-1997. The GT's 2.5 V6 was a 24-valve, four-camshaft engine, and it replaced the turbocharged four used in the first-generation GT.
Is the second-generation Probe GT a V6?
Yes. The 1993-1997 Ford Probe GT used the Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 rated at 164 horsepower, a naturally aspirated 24-valve four-cam engine. This replaced the turbocharged four-cylinder used in the 1989-1992 first-generation GT.
Did the Ford Probe win Motor Trend Car of the Year?
Yes. The second-generation Ford Probe was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993, the year the redesigned coupe arrived on the Mazda GE platform.
When did the Ford Probe end?
Ford ended Ford Probe production after the 1997 model year, closing out the second generation. The front-drive coupe was discontinued as the U.S. sport-coupe segment shrank and was not replaced by a like-for-like Ford coupe.
The wall · registered 1993–1997 Probes
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