Ford Laser

The KA Laser (Australian model code), built under license from Mazda, was introduced in March 1981, replacing the rear-wheel-drive Escort in Australia. The range was available as a hatchback, in both three- and five-door varieties, as well as a four-door sedan badged Ford Meteor. Originally sold only with the 1.3-litre engine, the smaller 1.1-litre engine was never available in Australia. Later, 1.5-litre versions were added, eventually even a turbocharged version. In January 1983, the Laser underwent a facelift to become the KB.[12] Light changes were made to the rear, while the front was redesigned in a more modern style, aligning it with Ford's corporate look of the era.

In Japan this is referred to as the "BE" Laser, which was identical to the Australian KB series. The BE model code relates to the BD model code used for the corresponding Familia/323. The first Lasers went on sale in Japan in late 1982. Fuel-injection and a 115 PS turbocharged model were added in July 1983; these variants were never offered for sale outside Japan.

Aside from being built in Australia and Japan, Lasers were also assembled in New Zealand at Ford's Wiri plant in Auckland, replacing the Mk2 Escort. In New Zealand, the Laser was sold as both a hatchback and sedan, the Meteor name not being used in that market, and was later joined by the Mazda 323 at the renamed Vehicle Assemblers of New Zealand (VANZ) plant in Wiri, Auckland in a joint venture between Ford New Zealand and Mazda. 323s initially had been assembled at the Motor Industries International plant in Otahuhu, subsequently taken over by Mazda New Zealand. New Zealand-built Ford Laser hatchbacks were available with the 1.1-litre (base and Ritz), 1.3-litre (GL), and 1.5-litre (Sport) engines, while the Laser sedan (base, L, Ghia) was available with the 1.1-, 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines respectively, with the Ghia having an automatic transmission option.[13]

Ford Laser (KA) Ghia 5-door

Ford Laser (KB) GL 5-door

Ford Laser (KB) GL 5-door

Ford Laser (KB) S 3-door

Ford Laser (KB) Turbo

The Laser was also sold in some countries in Latin America, including Argentina.[14] This was identical to the KA version sold in Australia.[15] In Mexico, however, the first-generation Laser had a front end similar to the North American Mazda GLC.[16] In addition, it was sold in right hand drive markets in the Caribbean such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, where it was locally assembled.[17]

Assembly of the Laser also occurred in Malaysia and Indonesia (in right hand drive) and in left hand drive for markets like Taiwan and the Philippines. In Taiwan, it was assembled using complete knock-down kits from 1981 via the local joint venture Ford Lio Ho.[18][19]

The Laser was also introduced in Zimbabwe in 1981, the first Ford model to be sold in the country for fourteen years, after the imposition of sanctions on the then Rhodesia after its Unilateral Declaration of Independence.[20] It was assembled at the state-owned Willowvale Motor Industries plant, in Harare, alongside the Mazda 323.[8]

• Mazda E1, 41 kW (55 hp) 1.1-litre, carburettor, 8-valve, SOHC (Base/Ritz, trim levels in New Zealand)
• Mazda E3, 49 kW (66 hp) 1.3-litre carburettor, 8-valve, SOHC (L and GL in NZ)
• Mazda E5, 54 kW (72 hp) 1.5-litre carburettor, 8-valve, SOHC (L & GL [Australia] and Ghia [NZ and Australia])
• Mazda E5, 59 kW (79 hp) 1.5-litre twin-carburettor, 8-valve, SOHC (Sport)
• Mazda E5T, 78 kW (105 hp) 1.5-litre carburettor, 8-valve, SOHC, turbocharged (limited edition Turbo trim level, 300 produced)
• Mazda E5T, 85 kW (114 hp) 1.5-litre, electronic fuel injection, 8-valve SOHC, turbocharged (Turbo trim level in Japan)

Introduced in April 1982,[21] Ford Meteor was the name given to the sedan version of the Laser.[22] Designated as the GA series,[23] the Meteor featured conventional three-box styling with a 60/40 folding rear seat to increase luggage capacity that was already considered "very large for the class".[22] Compared to the Laser, the front seats could be moved back a little further at the expense of rear seat passengers.[22] To further improve practicality, the Meteor's spare wheel could be relocated from the floor to an upright position to increase boot depth from 410 to 585 millimetres (16.1 to 23.0 in).[22] The additional length of 195 millimetres (7.7 in) over the Laser hatchback was used by Ford Australia to justify the Meteor as replacement to the TF Cortina.[22] In Australia, the Meteor was only available with the 1.5-litre engine and five-speed manual transmission or optional three-speed automatic.[22] Consequently, the Meteor had a difficult undertaking replacing the Cortina, which offered engine displacements from 2.0 litres for the inline-four, up to a 4.1-litre inline-six, plus a station wagon option.[23][24] However, the Meteor's pitch as the Cortina replacement was merely a temporary measure prior to the introduction of the Telstar mid-sized sedan and hatchback in May 1983.[23][24][25][26][27] In Australia, the Meteor directly competed against the Holden Camira.[22]

The Meteor's front styling and grille differed from the corresponding Laser.[22] The Meteor styling was based on the Japanese market Mazda Familia (BD) sedan.[28] Lighting changes included the replacement of the Laser's amber front turn signals with clear lenses, plus the fitment of larger, flush headlamps over the Laser's smaller lights that were "sunken" into an enclosure.[23] The Meteor grille had more of an "eggcrate" pattern than the plain black slats of the Laser.[23] Suspension was fully independent with coil springs.[22]

Trim levels in Australia comprised the entry-level GL and upmarket Ghia, both available with an optional "S" pack that added full instrumentation and upgraded tyres.[22] Steel wheels with bright metal trim rings differentiated the GL from the Ghia with its alloy wheels and deep side protection mouldings.[22]

The mid-term facelifted model of May 1983, coded GB, brought the range closer together, though Meteors continued as a separate and slightly more premium line.

January 1985 saw the advent of the BF series Laser in Japan. This was the Laser's first major redesign. For the first time a diesel version was offered in Japan, as well as a factory two-door cabriolet, a DOHC 16-valve Sport version, and a potent 140 PS DOHC turbo model with full-time 4WD drivetrain (identical to the contemporary Mazda Familia BFMR). This added up to an extremely convoluted Japanese product line, which was later streamlined in 1987 with a mid-life model refresh (KE series in other markets). This refresh dropped E-series engines in favour of all-new B-series equivalents, poorer-selling variants were discontinued, and minor changes were made to exterior styling and interior trim.

Ford Laser (KC) TX3 3-door

Ford Laser (KC) GL 5-door

Ford Meteor (GC) GL wagon

The Laser was also sold in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and other markets. Trim and speicifications vary somewhat between the countries. In Indonesia, this Laser was available (in Ghia trim only) beginning in late 1985 with the 1296 cc engine with 68 PS (50 kW), a five-speed manual transmission, and five-door hatchback or four-door saloon bodywork.[29] Later, a non-emissions scrubbed Laser TX-3 with the fuel injected B6 engine became available. This produced a claimed 104 PS (76 kW) at 6000 rpm.[30]

For Australia, the range was known as the KC Laser and GC Meteor, launched in October 1985. All bodystyles were carried over, with the addition of a station wagon (badged as "Meteor", like the sedan) from 1986. A new "TX3" variant, which was at the top of the "Laser" models in specification level and designated "KC2", replaced the "Sport" variant from the KB series. Unlike the Sport, the TX3 was only available as a three-door (the Taiwanese TX3 was available in a five-door version only). The "L" and "GL" models were no longer available as a three-door. A notable change was the introduction of engines capable of running on 91 RON unleaded petrol (this became mandatory in Australia from 1986).

Ford Meteor (GC) GL sedan

Ford Meteor (GC) GL wagon

The E5 1.5-litre SOHC carburettored engine that was optional on GL, and standard on Ghia in the KB series was replaced with the new B6 1.6-litre I4 SOHC. For the first time, electronic fuel injection was available as an option on Ghia models, and was standard on TX3 models. Buyers who ordered automatic transmission with this engine received an electronically controlled four-speed unit, which was quite advanced for a small car in 1985. The B3 I4 SOHC 1.3-litre engine was standard on the "L" (hatchback only, the wagon had a 1.6-litre engine). The 1.6-litre engine was standard on GL, Ghia and TX3, though some early GL models were equipped with a 1.5-litre SOHC carburettored.

The KC/KE Laser wagon was also assembled in New Zealand, alongside its Mazda 323 equivalent, until Ford closed their VANZ assembly plant at Wiri, Auckland in 1996.

KC / GC model range (Australia):

• Laser L
• Laser GL
• Laser Ghia
• Laser TX3
• Meteor L (wagon only)
• Meteor GL
• Meteor Ghia

A version of the KC Laser, the Mercury Tracer, was marketed in the US and Canada, available as a hatchback and wagon only. The Tracer hatchback shared its bodyshell with its Laser counterpart, but the wagon was a distinct design based on the Laser hatchback, rather than the sedan, as was the case with the Meteor wagon. US versions of the Tracer were built in Mexico, whereas for the Canadian market, Ford opted to import the Mercury Tracer from Taiwan instead.[31] In Bermuda, however, the KE Laser was sold locally in right hand drive badged as a Ford.[32]

Ford Laser (KE) L 5-door

1989–1990 Ford Laser (KE) GL wagon

In October 1987, Ford introduced a facelift of the KC series, the KE. There were a number of notable changes with the introduction of the KE. The "Meteor" name was dropped from the sedan and wagon body styles, meaning they were now badged as "Laser", like the hatchback variants. The TX3 was also now available with a turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive (AWD) as options. The TX3 Turbo with AWD is now very rare and highly sought after. The AWD was fully imported from Japan, while all other models in the Laser range were manufactured locally in the Sydney suburb of Homebush.

The KE is easy to distinguish from the earlier KC, by different grilles, headlights, tail lights, body-side mouldings, bonnet, front guards, and on some models, wheels. The dashboard and instrument cluster received new graphics, and the interior was available in slightly different colour shades to the KC. In mid-1989, in preparation for a new ADR (Australian Design Rule) to come into effect in 1990, all models were fitted with a high-mount rear stop lamp as standard. When the redesigned KF Laser was introduced in March 1990, the wagon continued in a sole GL specification, with minor upgrades until September 1994, when Australian production of the Laser ceased.

Ford Laser (KE) GL 5-door

Ford Laser (KE) GL sedan

1991–1994 Ford Laser (KE II) GL wagon

The "L" is quite rare, as it was primarily aimed at the budget or fleet buyer and available as a five-door hatchback and station wagon. It had silver-painted 13-inch steel wheels, with no centre caps, a large analogue clock in the instrument cluster, no passenger-side rear-view mirror, vinyl interior trim, no body side mouldings, no rear windscreen wiper, and the folding rear seat was only one-piece. The stereo was also AM-only and had no cassette player. Air conditioning was not available. The only engine on offer was the 1.3-litre engine, with four-speed manual transmission (no automatic was available). The "L" wagon had the same level of trim, except the 1.3-litre engine was replaced with the 1.6-litre unit, but still with four-speed transmission (automatic was not available on either the hatchback or wagon).

The "GL" was the most popular model. It featured the same silver-painted 13" steel wheels as the "L" but with satin chrome half-width centre caps (only covering the centre of the wheel), a digital clock on the top of the dashboard, cloth interior trim, grey body side mouldings, a rear windscreen wiper, grey tailgate and beaver panel garnishes and 50/50 split-fold rear seat. The stereo was an analogue-tuned AM/FM unit with a basic cassette player. Air conditioning was optional as a dealer-fit accessory. Power was provided by a 1.6-litre engine, with 4-speed manual transmission (5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic was optional). Sedan and wagon came standard with five-speed transmission.

The Ghia was the luxury model. It had black 14-inch steel wheels with full-size plastic wheel covers, power steering, body-coloured rear-view mirrors and bumpers, velour interior trim, tachometer, centre console with Ghia emblem, lockable glovebox, driver's seat with lumbar support and height adjust, storage drawer underneath the front passenger seat, full-size interior door trims, vanity mirror in passenger sunvisor, ticket holder in driver's sunvisor, felt interior headlining and sunvisors, rear headrests, additional warning lights in the instrument cluster, central locking with illuminated driver's door lock barrel, remote exterior mirrors, front door map pockets, front seatback pockets, additional reading lamps, chrome insert strips in the body side mouldings and bumpers, red tailgate garnish and orange beaver panel garnish. Air conditioning and power windows were optional. The stereo was a digitally tuned AM/FM unit, which featured a cassette player with Dolby enhanced sound. The 1.6-litre engine was fitted as standard, with EFI optional (standard on wagon), with either 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission (EFI automatic was 4-speed).

Ford Laser (KE) GL Redline 5-door

Ford Laser (KE) Ghia 5-door

Ford Laser (KE) TX3 3-door

The TX3 was the Laser flagship. It came standard with 14-inch satin-chrome alloy wheels, sports cloth interior trim, red insert strips in the body side mouldings and bumpers, black tailgate and beaver panel garnishes, semi-bucket seats with adjustable seat height, back and lumbar support, auto fade interior lamps, and all other Ghia appointings. EFI and A/C was standard, and automatic transmission was not available. The TX3 also had a unique front fascia with quad headlights and the parker lamps incorporated into the indicator lenses (L/GL/Ghia had the parkers inside the main headlight unit) and two-tone paint.

Halfway through KE production, Ford introduced two limited edition versions, called "Redline", and "Livewire". The Redline was based on the GL hatch, while the Livewire was based on the GL sedan and hatch. The Redline featured the TX3's alloy wheels, two-tone paint and red inserts in the body-side mouldings and bumpers, air conditioning, and a tachometer. The Livewire featured yellow inserts in the body side mouldings and bumpers, a body coloured grille, air conditioning, and a tachometer. Both models had 5-speed manual transmission (as opposed to the standard 4-speed) as standard, with 3-speed automatic transmission as an option.

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 (66 hp) 1.3 L Carb 8V SOHC ('L' and 'GL' models)
• Mazda E5T, 85 kW (114 hp) 1.5 L EFI 8V SOHC Turbo ('Cabriolet' Japan models)
• Mazda B6, 53 kW (71 hp) 1.6 L Carb 8V SOHC ('GL' and 'GHIA' models)
• Mazda B6, 62 kW (83 hp) 1.6 L EFI 8V SOHC (option on 'GHIA' models and standard on 'TX3' models)
• Mazda B6T, 100 kW (130 hp) 1.6 L EFI 16V DOHC Turbo ('TX3 Turbo' and 'Turbo 4WD' models)

The Laser was introduced in South Africa in 1986, as a hatchback, with the sedan version being sold as the Meteor. Replacing the Ford Escort, it was produced alongside the Mazda 323 by Samcor.[33] In addition to the 1.3 L carb, 1.6 L carb and 1.6 L EFi engines, South African models of the Laser and Meteor also gained the Mazda FE-DOHC EFi 16-valve engine with 146 hp (109 kW; 148 PS) and 136 lb⋅ft (184 N⋅m) from 1991 to 1993. The KC/KE Laser and Meteor remained in production in South Africa until 1995, when the Escort was reintroduced.

However, Ford introduced an entry-level model called the Tonic and Tracer, a rebadged version of the locally manufactured BF series Mazda 323 hatchback, which was sold until 2003.[34] From 1989, Ford's CVH engines (1.4 and 1.6) were used, with fuel injection available for the 1600 Sport model. These were later in turn replaced by Mazda's B3 and B6 engines.

In Australia, this model was released in March 1990 as the KF series and updated in October 1991 with the KH facelift. Local production of the Laser in Australia ceased in 4 September 1994 when Ford closed its plant at Homebush, New South Wales, and imported the new KJ model from Japan;[35]

In New Zealand, the KH Laser continued in production at Ford's assembly plant in Wiri, Auckland, until the end of 1996 when the factory closed. The extended production model in New Zealand was sold only in five-door hatchback form as either the Laser Encore or Laser Esprit, as a cheaper alternative to the newer KJ Laser imported from Japan. The Encore was the cheaper of the two, available only with a five-speed manual transmission, while the Esprit was slightly higher specification and was available with both the five-speed and also a four-speed automatic. Both featured red pinstriping around the body and many received dealer-fit accessories such as alloy wheels to boost appeal.

Ford Laser (KF) Ghia sedan (Australia)

Ford Laser (KH) GL Horizon 5-door (Australia)

Ford Laser (KF) TX3 4WD 3-door (Australia)

Ford Laser (KH) Ghia sedan (Australia)

This generation of Laser was also sold in Cyprus and Malta. This generation was the basis of later Escort models sold in North America from 1990 for the 1991 model year, which is not to be confused with the model of the same name sold in Europe. The Escort name was retained for the new model due to both strong brand equity on the Escort name as well as Chrysler already using the Laser name for the Plymouth Laser. The Escort wagon seen in North America during this generation was unique to that continent and was not part of the Laser ranges elsewhere. In Indonesia, this generation was assembled locally (CKD) and sold from 1990 to 1996. Available in two body styles and four trim levels, 1.3 L sedan "Ghia" and "Sonic", 1.6 L sedan "Gala" and 5-door liftback "Champ" with 1.8 L DOHC BP engine. The older 1.3 L sedan "GL" from previous generation was also sold for taxi fleet use until 1997.

Engine specifications (Australia):

• Mazda B3, 47 kW (63 hp) 1.3 L carb, 16V SOHC (XL)
• Mazda B6-2E, 64 kW (86 hp) 1.6 L carb, 16V SOHC (L, XL, GL, Livewire, Grand Slam, Indy, Collection, Horizon models)
• Mazda B8, 76 kW (102 hp) 1.8 L fuel-injected, 16V SOHC (Ghia, S and GLi models)
• Mazda BP DOHC, 92 kW (123 hp) 1.8 L fuel-injected, 16V DOHC (TX3 non-turbo models)
• Mazda BPT, 117 kW (157 hp) 1.8 L fuel-injected, 16V DOHC Turbo (Turbo 4WD models)

The fourth generation model was known as the BHA series in Japan. All sporting models were discontinued with the release of this model in the wake of poor sales and financial returns as Mazda scaled back operations and sought to rearrange market focus. Only the sedan and three-door hatchback were sold in Japan, the hatch being based on the Mazda Familia Neo.

The Japanese built KJ Laser in Australia released in October 1994 represented a major change in design; looking very different from the previous KH model. The three-door hatchback was known as the Laser Lynx and the five-door as the Laser Liata. The new KJ Laser was introduced in 1994 with variants, facelifts (KL of December 1996 and KM of December 1997) and engine driveline improvements continuing up until the last of the KM series were released in 1998. The KJ Laser was the first Laser manufactured wholly in Japan, following Ford Australia's decision to close their Homebush plant. However, the KJ was disappointing in sales numbers mainly because of the smaller Festiva and other cheaper South Korean models from Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo to which many conservative buyers flocked.

Ford Laser (KL) LXi sedan (Australia)

Ford Laser (KJ) Liata Ghia 5-door (Australia)

Ford Laser (KJ) Lynx 3-door (Australia)

With the introduction of the KJ Laser in 1994, Ford New Zealand found itself in a unique position, offering three different generations of the Laser as new vehicles at once at its dealerships—the new KJ Laser imported from Japan, the locally assembled previous-generation KH Laser as a five-door hatchback, and the older-shape KE Laser station wagon. This continued until 1996 when Ford NZ closed its Wiri, Auckland factory.

The second update KM Laser was not sold in New Zealand. The KL Laser, now replaced in Australia, continued to be sold alongside the European Ford Escort in New Zealand during 1997 but was discontinued locally at the end of the year, the Escort hatchback and sedan replacing it for just 16 months between January 1998 and May 1999 when the new KN Laser was introduced.

In Taiwan, Ford Lio Ho Motor assembled the Laser sedan branded as the Ford Liata;[36] the Lynx three-door version was rebranded as the Ford Aztec.[37] However, the Liata five-door version was not available in Taiwan, although the Mazda 323 was sold as a rebadged version of the Laser sedan only.

In Latin America, this generation of Laser was assembled in Colombia and Venezuela, alongside its Mazda 323 counterpart, known as the Mazda Allegro.[38]

Engine Specifications:

• Mazda B6, 80 kW, 1.6L, 16V, DOHC ('LXi' models)
• Mazda BP, 92 kW, 1.8L, 16V, DOHC ('GLXi' and some 'LXi' models)

Ford Tierra Aero front

Ford Tierra Aero rear

In Taiwan, Ford Lio Ho Motor renamed the KN/KQ Laser sedan as Ford Tierra while the Laser hatchback was renamed Ford Life, and both was sold as rebadged versions of the pre-facelift Mazda 323 BJ generation without any exterior redesigns. The KQ facelift design was directed by Ford Lio Ho Motor and was based on the Australian KN Laser as the rear fenders are different from the Mazda-derived Ford Tierras. A facelift of the Tierra arrived in the early-to-mid 2000s, distinguished by its completely new front fenders, new hood, a new grille with chrome moulding, new headlights, revised tail lights, new trunk lid, different exterior colours, and slightly revised interiors. When the facelift for the Tierra was introduced, the pre-facelift model sold alongside it, renamed as Ford Activa and acting as a cheaper alternative. The Activa was sold in both sedan and hatchback forms and a wider variety of colour choices was also available while the Tierra facelift was only offered in sedan form and was offered in a variety of trim levels. The KQ Tierra was sold originally as the Tierra LS and the Tierra RS with a slight performance tuning and body kit. In 2005, the RS was replaced by the Tierra Aero which was a slightly tuned down version of the RS, and later in 2007, the Tierra GT was introduced and later the Tierra XT with a redesigned body kit before the model was replaced by the second generation European Ford Focus.

The Laser was replaced in the Philippines and Malaysia by the Lynx in 1999.

Philippine variants were two; GSi and Ghia. Both came with 1.6 L gasoline engine. Transmission choice were a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, available in both trims. During 2002, the Lynx receives a facelift in the Philippines; featuring bigger headlamps, taillamps, trunk gate and front fascia. The Ghia was added with an electronic sun visor and Beige color tone interior. The lower version of the GSi variant, the 1.3 L LSi, all manual features, steel wheel with hubcaps, and a manual transmission.

And in late 2003, a minor facelift was released; featuring new taillamps, front fascia, front and rear bumper. Also new was the latest version of the Lynx the sporty "RS", which is the top-of-the-line model. It is only offered with a 2.0 L engine, 5-speed manual, black interior with silver accents. It has 7-spoke RS wheels, a mesh grille with RS emblem, front chin and rear bumper lip cover, side skirt and a rear spoiler. Available colors were Red Metallic and Black Metallic.

In Malaysia, only one trim level was originally offered; the 1.6 L Ghia. This has front discs and rear drum brakes. Transmission choice were a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. In 2002, the Lynx received a facelift; featuring redesigned front and rear ends, new style of alloy wheels, and new interior designs. Also installed an electronic sun visor and beige color tone interior. A minor facelift took place in late 2003 and at the same time, the sporty "RS" trim was released. This came only with a 2.0 L engine, with black designed headlamps, RS body kits, and 7-spoke RS wheels.

2004 Ford Laser Lynx RS

The Laser was replaced in most markets around the world by the European-sourced Focus, designated as one of Ford's "world cars". The Mazda 323 replacement, the Mazda3, was also based on the same platform as the Focus, continuing the tradition of both companies having products in this market segment around the world sharing common componentry. However, these too were eventually replaced by the Focus in 2004 to 2007 respectively.