Ford Probe (1st Generation)

Originally, the Mazda 626-based Ford Probe was proposed to be the successor of the Ford Mustang towards the late 1980s, but there was outcry over its Japanese design, no V8 option, and a front-engined, front-wheel drive layout, so Ford decided to keep it alongside the sport compact. This is similar to the scenario for the Holden Commodore's imported replacement, the ZB, with similar qualities of the Probe like only offering up to a V6, but this didn't stop the VF from going out with the major Australian automotive industry in general. The base GL Probe came with the standard 110 hp 2.2 liter I4 also sourced from Mazda, but a 3-liter V6 was available for the upscale LX from 1990, first producing 140 horsepower, and then increasing by 5 the following model year.

Image date: July 2007