Ford Laser

The Ford Laser is a compact auto available by Ford inside Asia, Oceania, plus components of South America, plus Africa. It has commonly been accessible because a sedan or hatchback, though convertible, wagon plus pick-up versions have furthermore been obtainable in different markets.

The Ford Laser had been a restyled variation of the Familia/323 models yielded by Mazda inside Japan from 1980 onwards.

In Australia plus New Zealand where Ford was watched because a 'local' brand, the Laser outsold its Mazda twin, in neighbouring Asian nations, like Singapore, Malaysia plus Hong Kong, and Japan itself, the reverse was the case. However, pooling resources with Mazda enabled Ford with keep the foothold inside the area. This was additionally the case inside South America, Africa, as well as the Caribbean, where the Laser was equally available, quite often being nearby assembled.

KA 1981-1983, KB 1983-1985

The KA Laser, built beneath license from Mazda, was introduced inside March 1981. In January 1983 it underwent a facelift with become the KB. Light changes were created with the back, whilst the front was redesigned inside a more contemporary fashion, aligning it with Ford's business look of the era. Originally available just with all the 1.3, the small 1.1 engine was not obtainable in Australia. Later, 1.5 liter versions were added, eventually even a turbocharged variation.

Aside from being integrated Australia plus Japan, certain Lasers were equally assembled inside New Zealand. Kiwi Laser hatchbacks were accessible with all the 1.1, 1.3, plus 1.5 motors, when the Laser sedan wasn't accessible with all the 1.1. In many markets, the four-door saloon bodystyle was advertised because the "Meteor".

Engine specifications:

Mazda E1, 41 kW 1.1 L Carb 8V SOHC
Mazda E3, 49 kW 1.3 L Carb 8V SOHC
Mazda E5, 54 kW 1.5 L Carb 8V SOHC
Mazda E5, 59 kW 1.5 L Twin Carb 8V SOHC
Mazda E5T, 78 kW 1.5 L Carb 8V SOHC Turbo
Mazda E5T, 85 kW 1.5 L EFI 8V SOHC Turbo


Introduced inside 1981, Ford Meteor was the name provided with the sedan variation of the Laser.

Whenever the Meteor was introduced inside Australia inside 1981 because the GA series, it changed the bigger Cortina, though this had been a temporary measure before the Telstar was introduced.

The Meteor grille differed somewhat plus was accessible about another model: a home-market Mazda Familia sedan. Replacing the Laser's amber indicators were white ones, as well as the grille had more of a "egg-crate" pattern than the plain black slats of the Laser. The Meteor equally had greater headlights than the Laser, that had small ones "sunken" into the bodyshell. In Australia, it was just accessible with a 1.5 litre engine at release, inside GL plus Ghia trims—the 1.1 or 1.3 were not available. Naturally, it had a difficult job substituting the Cortina, that had machines beginning at 2.0 litre, about a four.1 litre six-cylinder, and a station wagon choice.

A mid-term facelift inside 1983 dubbed GB brought the range closer together, with all the same front end, though Meteors continued because a separate plus somewhat more premium line.

The 1985 KC Laser/GC Meteor was the model's initial main redesign. All body designs were carried over, with all the addition of the station wagon from 1986. A brand-new "TX3" variant, that was at the best of the "Laser" models inside specification level plus designated 'KC2', changed the "Sport" variant within the KB series. Unlike the Sport, the TX3 was just accessible because a three-door. The "L" & "GL" models were no longer accessible because a three-door. A notable change was the introduction of machines capable of running about 91RON Unleaded petrol. The 'E5' 1.5-litre SOHC carburettored engine that has been optional about GL, plus standard about Ghia inside the KB series was changed with all the new 'B6' 1.6-litre I4 SOHC. For the very first time, Electronic Fuel Injection was accessible because a choice about Ghia models, plus was standard about TX3 models. Buyers who ordered automatic transmission with this engine received an electronically-controlled 4-speed device, that was very advanced for a little auto inside 1985. The 'B3' I4 SOHC 1.3-litre engine was standard found on the "L". The 1.6-litre engine was standard about GL, Ghia & TX3, though several early GL models were built with a 1.5-litre SOHC carburettored.

KC model range:

Laser L
Laser GL
Laser Ghia
Laser TX3
Meteor L
Meteor GL
Meteor Ghia

Ford Laser L 5-door
Ford Laser GL 5-door
1989–1990 Ford Laser GL wagon
1990–1994 Ford Laser GL wagon
Ford Laser TX3 3-door

In October 1987, Ford introduced a facelift of the KC series, the KE. There were a quantity of notable changes with all the introduction of the KE. The "Meteor" name was dropped within the sedan plus wagon body designs, meaning they were today badged because "Laser", like the hatchback variants. The TX3 was equally today accessible with a turbocharged engine, plus even All-Wheel-Drive, because choices. The TX3 Turbo with AWD is today especially uncommon plus very popular. Another interesting truth is the fact that the AWD was totally imported from Japan, whilst all alternative models inside the Laser range were produced nearby inside the Sydney suburb of Homebush.

The KE is simple with distinguish within the earlier KC, by different grilles, headlights, tail lights, body-side mouldings, bonnet, front guards, plus about certain models, wheels. The dashboard plus instrument cluster received brand-new images, as well as the interior was obtainable in somewhat different color shades with the KC. In mid-1989, inside planning for a new ADR with come into impact inside 1990, all models were fitted with a high-mount back stop lamp because standard. Whenever the redesigned KF Laser was introduced inside March 1990, the wagon continued inside a sole GL specification, with minor updates till 1994, whenever Australian manufacturing of the Laser ceased.

The "L" is very uncommon, because it was generally aimed at the budget or fleet buyer. It had silver-painted 13" steel wheels, without centre caps, a big analogue clock inside the instrument cluster, no passenger-side rear-view mirror, plastic inside trim, no body side mouldings, no back windscreen wiper, as well as the folding back seat was just one-piece. The stereo was additionally AM-only plus had no cassette player. Air conditioning wasn't accessible. The just engine about provide was the 1.3-litre engine, with 4-speed manual transmission. The "L" wagon had the same amount of trim, except the 1.3-litre engine was changed with all the 1.6-litre device nevertheless nevertheless with 4-speed transmission plus no automatic accessible.

The "GL" was the best model. It showcased the same silver-painted 13" steel wheels because the "L" however with satin chrome half-width centre caps, a digital clock found on the top of the dashboard, fabric inside trim, gray body side mouldings, a back windscreen wiper, gray tailgate plus beaver panel garnishes plus 50/50 split-fold back seat. The stereo was an analogue-tuned AM/FM device with a standard cassette player. Air conditioning was optional because a dealer-fit accessory. Power was offered with a 1.6-litre engine, with 4-speed manual transmission. Sedan plus wagon came standard with 5-speed transmission.

The Ghia was the deluxe model. It had black 14" steel wheels with full-size plastic wheel covers, force steering, body-coloured rear-view mirrors plus bumpers, velour inside trim, tachometer, centre system with Ghia emblem, lockable glovebox, driver's seat with lumbar help plus height change, storage drawer beneath the front passenger seat, full-size inside door trims, vanity mirror inside passenger sunvisor, ticket holder inside driver's sunvisor, felt inside hoodlining plus sunvisors, back headrests, more caution lights inside the instrument cluster, central locking with illuminated driver's door lock barrel, remote outdoor mirrors, front door chart pouches, front seatback pouches, more reading lights, chrome insert strips inside the body side mouldings plus bumpers, red tailgate garnish plus orange beaver panel garnish. Air conditioning plus energy windows were optional. The stereo became a digitally-tuned AM/FM device, that showcased a cassette player with Dolby increased sound. The 1.6-litre engine was fitted because standard, with EFI optional, with either 5-speed guide or 3-speed automatic transmission.

The TX3 was the Laser 'flagship'. It came standard with 14" satin-chrome alloy wheels, sports cloth inside trim, red insert strips inside the body side mouldings plus bumpers, black tailgate plus beaver panel garnishes, semi-bucket seats with adjustable seat height, back plus lumbar help, car fade inside lights, plus all different Ghia appointings. EFI plus A/C was standard, plus automatic transmission wasn't accessible. The TX3 additionally had a specific front fascia with quad headlights as well as the parker lights included into the signal lenses plus two-tone paint.
Ford Laser GL Redline 5-door hatchback
Ford Laser GL Livewire sedan

Halfway by KE manufacturing, Ford introduced 2 limited edition versions, called "Redline", plus "Livewire". The Redline was based found on the GL hatch, whilst the Livewire was based found on the GL sedan plus hatch. The Redline showcased the TX3's alloy wheels, two-tone paint plus red inserts inside the body-side mouldings plus bumpers, air conditioner, along with a tachometer. The Livewire showcased yellow inserts inside the body side mouldings plus bumpers, air conditioner, along with a tachometer. Both models had 5-speed manual transmission because standard, with 3-speed automatic transmission because an alternative.

KE model range;

Laser L - Hatch or wagon
Laser GL - Hatch, sedan or wagon
Laser Ghia - Hatch, sedan or wagon
Laser TX3
Laser TX3 Turbo
Laser TX3 Turbo 4WD

Engine specifications:

Mazda E3, 49 kW 1.3 L Carb 8V SOHC
Mazda E5T, 85 kW 1.5 L EFI 8V SOHC Turbo
Mazda B6, 53 kW 1.6 L Carb 8V SOHC
Mazda B6, 62 kW 1.6 L EFI 8V SOHC
Mazda B6T, 100 kW 1.6 L EFI 16V DOHC Turbo



Mazda B3, 47 kW 1.3 L Carb 16V SOHC
Mazda B6-2E, 64 kW 1.6 L Carb 16V SOHC
Mazda BP SOHC aka B8, 76 kW 1.8 L F/I 16V SOHC
Mazda BP DOHC, 92 kW 1.8 L F/I 16V DOHC
Mazda BPT, 117 kW 1.8 L F/I 16V DOHC Turbo


The Japanese built KJ Laser represented a main change inside design; lookin extremely different with the past KH model. The hot KJ Laser was introduced inside 1994 with variants, facelifts plus engine driveline improvements continuing up till the last of the KJ series were introduced inside 1998. The KJ Laser was the initially Laser produced wholly inside Japan, following Ford Australia's choice with close their Homebush plant. But, the KJ was disappointing inside sales numbers because of the small Festiva plus different cheaper Korean models with that various traditional customers flocked.

Engine Specifications:

Mazda B6, 80 kW, 1.6L, 16V, DOHC
Mazda BP, 92 kW, 1.8L, 16V, DOHC


The KN Laser was the last unique form of Laser with be introduced. Released inside Australia inside May 1999, the model range was virtually completely identical with the Mazda 323 about that it was based, that was the very first time because the KE Laser. In February 2001, the KN received a minor facelift plus became the KQ Laser. The big information with all the KQ Laser was the addition of the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine for the new top-spec "SR2", that was moreover the initial sports-oriented Laser variant inside virtually five years, because the unpopular Laser Lynx was discontinued inside 1996. A modern "SR" amount of trim, that sat under SR2 was moreover introduced at this time. The KQ is recognized within the earlier KN, with a unique grille with chrome moulding, new headlights, revised tail lights, different outdoor colors, plus somewhat revised interiors. In March 2002, due with dropping sales, Ford prepared 1 last attempt with restore the Laser's recognition with its previous beauty, by announcing minor updates with the SR2, plus added 3 unique outdoor colors with the range, being "Goldrush", "Red Revenge", plus "Electric Blue". Three motors were accessible, a 1.6-litre which was fitted with the LXi, a 1.8-litre that has been fitted with the GLXi & SR, along with a 2.0-litre that has been exclusive with the SR2. Despite Laser having a superior standing with customers on the market, plus countless tries from Ford with re-ignite interest inside the model, it nevertheless failed with market inside fair numbers. In September 2002, Ford decided with discontinue the Laser inside Australia, substituting it with all the European-sourced Focus.

Model range;

Laser LXi
Laser GLXi
Laser XRInzs sr2 2.0l
Laser SR
Laser SR2

Engine specifications:

Mazda 1.8 L FP-DE DOHC I4 91 kW plus 163 N·m
Mazda 2.0 L FS, 97 kW plus 183 N·m
Mazda 2.0 L FS-ZE
1.6 L ZM-DE 72 kW plus 145 N·m

Kerb Weight: 1201kg Gross Car Weight: 0kg Height: 1410mm Width: 1705mm Length: 4250mm Ground Clearance: 105mm Towing Capacity: brake, Unbrake Steering Type: RACK & PINION - POWER ASSISTED Turning Circle: 10.4 Front Rim Size: Front Tyres: 195/50 R16 Rear Tyres: 195/50 R16 Wheel Base: Front Track: 1470mm Rear Track: 1470mm Front Brakes: DISC - SOLID Rear Brakes: DISC - SOLID Front Suspension: Independent MacPherson strut Coil Spring Double performing shock absorber Stabiliser bar Rear Suspension: Independent MacPherson strut Trapezoidal link Double performing shock absorber Stabiliser bar