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.
Lead trim: Telstar 1.8 FP four · up to 164 hp
Ford Telstar GFGF · 1997–1999
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Ford Telstar GF 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.
FactBy 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.
The last Telstar, on the Mazda GF platform (shared with the Capella/626), was released in 1997 and was again only available in Japan as Ford was by then marketing the Mondeo in the Asia-Pacific region; it came only as a sedan and wagon, with no liftback, and was dropped by Ford of Japan in 1999 as the company sought to differentiate itself from Mazda by concentrating on European and American Ford models. Engines: 1.8 L FP and 2.0 L FS-DE four-cylinders, 2.5 L KL-G4 / KL-ZE V6 and a 2.0 L RF-T turbodiesel, with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic; transverse front-engine, front- or four-wheel drive (Telstars were briefly available with Mazda's four-wheel steering); wheelbase 2,670 mm (105.1 in), length 4,575 mm (180.1 in) or 4,660 mm (183.5 in) wagon, width 1,695 mm (66.7 in), height 1,400 mm (55.1 in).
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
4 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 | 1997–1999 | 1.8 L Inline-4 | 89 hp | 107 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
| Telstar 2.0 FS-DE four | 1997–1999 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 113 hp | 125 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
| Telstar 2.0 RF-T turbodiesel | 1997–1999 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 100 hp | 162 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
| Telstar 2.5 KL V6 | 1997–1999 | 2.5 L V6 | 164 hp | 161 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
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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