In New Zealand, this generation got its own namesake special edition — the Telstar Radisich, named after local racing driver Paul Radisich, built in two 100-car runs.
Median 148 hp across 430 similar cars
Lead trim: Telstar 1.8 FP four · up to 164 hp
Ford Telstar AX / AY / ExtolAX-AY · 1991–1997
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Ford Telstar AX / AY / Extol yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactIn New Zealand, this generation got its own namesake special edition — the Telstar Radisich, named after local racing driver Paul Radisich, built in two 100-car runs.
Following the introduction of the GE platform Mazda 626, Ford introduced its Telstar version to Japan in October 1991 through its Autorama dealers, as a range of sedans with four-cylinder and V6 engines and a TX5 hatchback with V6s only, the GV wagon continuing alongside; all were replaced by the GF-platform Telstar in 1997. The AX came to Australia in 1992 as Ford's sole mid-size offering after Nissan ended Pintara manufacture (and the Corsair with it), was voted Wheels Car of the Year for 1992, in GLX, Ghia and Ghia 4WS trims with four-wheel steering on the top TX5; the AY facelift appeared in August 1994 and the Telstar was replaced by the Mondeo in 1995. New Zealand got the AX in 1992 and the AY in late 1994 (GLi, GLEi, Ghia sedans and TX5i, TX5 XRi hatchbacks with 1.8 and 2.0 four-cylinders and a 2.5 V6, the Contour and Mystique sedans, Eurosport V6, and the Telstar Radisich limited edition of two runs of 100 cars in 1994 and 1996 with tuned suspension, unique trim and 16-inch ROH Astron alloys), assembled at VANZ in Wiri until the plant closed in 1997; South Africa (Samcor, 1993–1997, replacing the Sierra), Taiwan and Malaysia (August 1992; 2.0 four-cylinder sedan or V6 TX-5, later with the 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) V6 in the sedan, production to early 2001) also built it, and Indonesia sold it as the Telstar Brilliant and Challenge. Engines: 1.8 L FP and 2.0 L FS four-cylinders, 2.0 L KF and 2.5 L KL V6s and the 2.0 L RFT Comprex diesel, with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic; related to the Mazda 626 (GE), Cronos and Autozam Clef.
Collectors Spotted in the Ford Telstar Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Ford Telstar yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
5 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstar 1.8 FP four | 1991–1997 | 1.8 L Inline-4 | 104 hp | 114 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| Telstar 2.0 FS four | 1991–1997 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | — | — | — | FWD | — | — |
| Telstar 2.0 KF V6 (Malaysia; 148 hp) | 1992–1997 | 2.0 L V6 | 148 hp | 132 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| Telstar 2.0 RFT Comprex diesel | 1991–1997 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 81 hp | 137 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
| Telstar 2.5 KL V6 | 1991–1997 | 2.5 L V6 | 164 hp | 160 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
By its last generation, the Telstar had shrunk from an Asia-Pacific staple to a Japan-only car — Ford simply handed the rest of the region to the Mondeo.
Despite a name that suggests a world car, this Telstar generation never left Japan: both it and its Mazda Capella twin were sold exclusively on the home market.
In New Zealand, this generation got its own namesake special edition — the Telstar Radisich, named after local racing driver Paul Radisich, built in two 100-car runs.
Australia's AT/AV Telstars were imported from Japan on a technicality — Ford used import credits earned by exporting Capris to the US to justify bringing them in.
Ford Australia sank A$150 million into reskinning this Mazda-based Telstar and building a local plant for it — only to shift hatchback production to Japan a few years later.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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