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Ford Probe: History, Generations & Specs
The Ford Probe is a front-wheel-drive sport coupe Ford sold from the 1989 through 1997 model years, built across two generations. It began as the ST-16 program, initially intended as a front-drive replacement for the rear-drive Mustang; after public resistance to a front-wheel-drive, Mazda-engineered Mustang without a V8, Ford kept the Mustang rear-drive and sold the design as the Probe. The car was based on Mazda platforms (GD for 1989-1992, GE for 1993-1997), shared most of its mechanicals with the Mazda MX-6 and 626, and was assembled at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant later renamed AutoAlliance International. Engines were mostly Mazda fours, plus a turbo GT, a Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6, and a 2.5 Mazda V6. Ford ended Probe production after the 1997 model year.
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The most-documented Ford Probes in the registry, every photo by the owner.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Production years | 1989-1997 model years |
| Generations | Two |
| Body style / class | Front-wheel-drive sport coupe |
| Platforms | Mazda GD (1989-1992); Mazda GE (1993-1997) |
| Platform siblings | Mazda MX-6 coupe and Mazda 626 sedan |
| Assembly | Flat Rock, Michigan (Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA, renamed AutoAlliance International in 1992) |
| Notable variants | Turbocharged GT (first gen); 3.0 Vulcan V6 LX (first gen, from 1990); 2.5 V6 GT (second gen) |
Generations at a glance
| Years | Generation | Why it matters | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-1992 | First generation | Launched as the Probe after the ST-16 program; pop-up headlamps, Mazda GD platform, and a turbocharged F2T GT, with the Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6 in the LX from 1990. | 1989-1992 First-Generation Probe |
| 1993-1997 | Second generation | Fully restyled fixed-headlamp coupe on the Mazda GE platform; the GT trades the turbo four for a 2.5 Mazda V6, and it was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993. | 1993-1997 Second-Generation Probe |
How the Ford Probe began as a Mustang replacement
The Ford Probe grew out of an internal development program called the ST-16, which Ford initially planned as the next Mustang. The ST-16 was a front-wheel-drive coupe engineered with Mazda, without a V8, a sharp break from the rear-drive Fox-body Mustang. When Mustang enthusiasts learned the next car would be a front-drive, Japanese-engineered coupe, the public response pushed Ford to keep the Mustang rear-drive as a separate model. Ford kept the Fox-body Mustang in production and sold the ST-16 design as the Ford Probe for the 1989 model year. The Probe is the front-drive sport coupe Ford built instead of replacing the Mustang with it.
The Mazda connection and the Flat Rock plant
The Probe shared most of its mechanical hardware, including engines, transmissions, and suspension, with the Mazda MX-6 coupe and the Mazda 626 sedan. The first-generation Probe used the Mazda GD platform for 1989-1992, and the second-generation Probe used the Mazda GE platform for 1993-1997, tracking the same platform changes as the MX-6 and 626. The Probe was assembled at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant that also built the MX-6 and 626 for North America, with Ford-specific exterior and interior styling setting it apart from its Mazda siblings. That plant opened in 1987 as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA; after Ford took a 50 percent stake in 1992 it was renamed AutoAlliance International. This is why the Probe is a Ford-badged car built alongside its Mazda siblings on shared Mazda engineering.
Engine eras of the Ford Probe
The Probe used Mazda four-cylinder engines through both generations, with two V6 options drawn from different sources. The 1989-1992 first generation used the Mazda F2 2.2-liter four in naturally aspirated form rated at 110 horsepower, and the GT used the turbocharged and intercooled Mazda F2T version of that 2.2 rated at 145 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. From 1990 the first-generation LX offered the Ford 3.0-liter Vulcan V6, the same pushrod V6 family used in the Ford Taurus, making 140 to 145 horsepower and 160 to 165 lb-ft of torque. The 1993-1997 second generation dropped the turbo four and used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four rated at 115 and later 118 horsepower in the base car, with the GT moving to the Mazda KL 2.5-liter four-cam V6 rated at 164 horsepower. The 2.5 V6 was the Probe's top engine for the rest of its run.
How the two Ford Probe generations differ
The first-generation Probe of 1989-1992 used pop-up headlamps and offered the turbocharged GT as its performance model, with the Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6 available in the LX from 1990. The second-generation Probe of 1993-1997 was a fully restyled coupe with fixed headlamps on the Mazda GE platform, and it changed the performance formula: the GT replaced the first generation's turbocharged four with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Mazda V6. The second-generation Probe was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1993. Both generations were front-wheel drive and shared their platforms with the Mazda MX-6 and 626 throughout.
Why the Ford Probe ended
Ford discontinued the Probe after the 1997 model year. The Probe was built at the Flat Rock plant alongside the Mazda MX-6, and both front-drive coupes were dropped as the sport-coupe segment contracted in the United States. The Probe was not directly replaced by another Ford coupe of the same layout, and the Mustang, which the Probe had once been intended to replace, continued as Ford's rear-drive performance car.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Ford Probe supposed to be the next Mustang?
Yes. The Ford Probe grew out of the ST-16 program, which Ford initially planned as a front-wheel-drive replacement for the Mustang. After public resistance to a front-drive, Mazda-engineered Mustang without a V8, Ford kept the Mustang rear-drive and sold the ST-16 design as the separate Ford Probe for 1989.
Is the Ford Probe a Mazda?
The Ford Probe is a Ford-badged car built on Mazda platforms. It shared most of its mechanical hardware, including engines and transmissions, with the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626, used the Mazda GD platform (1989-1992) and Mazda GE platform (1993-1997), and was built at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant that also made the MX-6 and 626.
What engines did the Ford Probe use?
The first-generation Ford Probe (1989-1992) used the Mazda F2 2.2-liter four (110 hp), a turbocharged F2T 2.2 in the GT (145 hp), and an optional Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6 in the LX from 1990. The second-generation Probe (1993-1997) used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four (115 to 118 hp) and a Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 in the GT (164 hp).
Where was the Ford Probe built?
The Ford Probe was built at the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant that also produced the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626. The plant opened in 1987 as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA and was renamed AutoAlliance International after Ford took a 50 percent stake in 1992.
When did Ford stop making the Probe?
Ford ended Ford Probe production after the 1997 model year. The front-drive coupe was dropped as the U.S. sport-coupe segment shrank, and it was not replaced by a like-for-like Ford coupe.
Sources
- Ford factory specification literature for the 1989-1997 Probe
- Wikipedia, Ford Probe
- Wikipedia, Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626 (platform sharing)
- AutoAlliance International / Flat Rock Assembly Plant production history
- Mazda F2/FS and KL engine references; Ford Vulcan V6 references
Asked all the time
Was the Ford Probe supposed to be the next Mustang?
Yes. The Ford Probe grew out of the ST-16 program, which Ford initially planned as a front-wheel-drive replacement for the Mustang. After public resistance to a front-drive, Mazda-engineered Mustang without a V8, Ford kept the Mustang rear-drive and sold the ST-16 design as the separate Ford Probe for 1989.
Is the Ford Probe a Mazda?
The Ford Probe is a Ford-badged car built on Mazda platforms. It shared most of its mechanical hardware, including engines and transmissions, with the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626, used the Mazda GD platform (1989-1992) and Mazda GE platform (1993-1997), and was built at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant that also made the MX-6 and 626.
What engines did the Ford Probe use?
The first-generation Ford Probe (1989-1992) used the Mazda F2 2.2-liter four (110 hp), a turbocharged F2T 2.2 in the GT (145 hp), and an optional Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6 in the LX from 1990. The second-generation Probe (1993-1997) used the Mazda FS 2.0-liter four (115 to 118 hp) and a Mazda KL 2.5-liter V6 in the GT (164 hp).
Where was the Ford Probe built?
The Ford Probe was built at the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant that also produced the Mazda MX-6 and Mazda 626. The plant opened in 1987 as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA and was renamed AutoAlliance International after Ford took a 50 percent stake in 1992.
When did Ford stop making the Probe?
Ford ended Ford Probe production after the 1997 model year. The front-drive coupe was dropped as the U.S. sport-coupe segment shrank, and it was not replaced by a like-for-like Ford coupe.