Ford KE Laser and TX3

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Ford KE Laser


Ford

Ford Laser KE

1985 - 1990
Country:
Australia
Engine:
4 cyl.
Capacity:
1.6 Litre
Power:
100 kW (TX3)
Transmission:
5 spd. MT / 3 spd. AT
Top Speed:
n/a
Number Built:
n/a
Collectability:
1 star
Ford Laser KE
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 3

Introduction



In an era of badge-engineering, the KE Laser was considered by many to be slightly cheaper Mazda - and to some extent that was true, because the KA, KB and KE Laser's did draw heavily from their Mazda counterparts. And that meant that when Mazda announced a new range of 323s and 626s, Ford were forced to follow. For 1987 the Ford revamp of the Laser and Telstar ranges was not simply a "top-and-tail" reskin, but represented a total redesign of the previous KB Laser model and the introduction of some new and, for the time, exciting cars.

KE Laser Model Lineup



The KE Laser range included the L, GL and Ghia models - the same lineup as in the KB Laser range - however for 1988 Ford introduced the Ghia wagon and two turbocharged TX-3 models, while the Meteor nameplate was dropped. All cars had a new exterior presentation and a redesigned interior package. The Ghia was powered by a multipoint fuel injected 1.6, as before, but it was mated to a totally new four speed automatic transmission.

The 1.6 litre carburettor engine remained standard on the GL and Ghia models while the L, aimed mostly at fleet markets, retained the 1.3 engine seen in the original KA Lasers. The EFI engine - with a few changes to valve adjustment and engine management - was standard on Ghia wagon as were four wheel disc brakes. You could also option a five speed manual gearbox but those wanting the new four speed auto had to wait, as at launch the only atmo available was the old (but reliable and strong) three speed unit.

Laser TX-3



The TX-3s were, at the time, exciting additions to the Laser range and went far beyond the then current TX-3 philosophy of simply a "spoiler package". Both Ke Laser TX-3s launched in 1988 were turbocharged and available as either front-wheel-drive or four- whee-drive cars. The cars were powered by a brilliant turbocharged, 16 valve, fuel injected motor with intercooler. The engine was first seen in Australia in the Mazda Familia which appeared briefly for appraisal purposes in four wheel drive form. The engine pumped out a then very impressive 100kW at 5000rpm, and torque of 184Nm at 3000 rpm. The five speed manual transmission fitted to these engines was a derivative of the Telstar unit, chosen for its ability to handle the increased torque.

Two wheel drive TX-3s had the same transaxle set-up as its lesser brethren, while the constant four wheel drive version put down its power through a centre differential. The centre diff absorbed any differences in speed between the front and rear wheels. It also controlled the 50/50 torque split between front and rear. The differential could be locked electronically on slippery roads but of course it was not advised to be used on dry bitumen. The engine on the TX-3s was a long stroke unit which, when combined with a turbo, gave 90 percent of its peak torque from as low as 2500 rpm, while the twin camshaft layout enabled the engine to spin freely at high speeds.

Laser TX-3 4 Wheel Drive



The four valves for each cylinder operated off hydraulic lash adjusters, while the IHI turbocharger ran at 0.56 bar (about 8 psi) with a fuel shutoff at 0.77 bar. An intercooler cooled the inlet charge while a microprocessor worked as an engine management system to ensure everything remained within limits and no damage could be done. The hard charging turbo engine brought a number of changes to TX-3 models including increased radiator capacity, a new exhaust system, revisions to the air cleaner and ducting, and a heavier front crossmember to support the heavier engine and transaxle.

Ford KE Laser TX3
KE Laser suspension was pretty much standard, as you would have found on the previous KB Laser model, but the turbocharged four wheel drive model was given special attention. The car featured electro-hydraulic height adjustment, giving a high and low setting controlled from the cabin, and once either was selected ride height was faithfully maintained by the electronic brain regardless of the luggage or passenger loads. On top of that, the track on 4WD models was widened 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear to improve stability, as well as a host of minor changes to components and suspension geometry.

All Lasers in the KE model lineup featured a more aerodynamic front end style which made them, at the time, immediately distinguishable from the older cars - though we wouldn't blame you for thinking there was not much in it. All Laser hatch models had a one piece body color grille while sedan and wagon models were given a revised grille. A power bulge was incorporated into the bonnet of the hatch, while the sedans and wagons had a new sheetmetal design from the windscreen forward. Other changes were relatively minor and concentrated on bumper colors, tail light lens treatments and badges etc.

On The Road



The two-wheel-drive version of the Laser TX-3 had excellent handling, pretty reasonable acceleration, and what would then have been a technophile's dream of twin cam, multi-valve turbocharged technology under the bonnet, but it lacked something found on TX3s above and below it - the balance of performance and dynamics necessary to make a well-rounded, finely-tuned car that was easy to come to grips with.

Feeding, through the front wheels, the sort of torque that the muscular little engine produced did bring with it some problems in an era long before torque-steer had been pretty much engineered out of the equation. Despite the assistance of standard power steering, torque effects under hard acceleration produced an uncomfortable squirming effect, not unlike that experienced in the first turbo Mitsubishi Cordias, where the car had to be fought with to maintain a straight line.

Add a sprinkling of rain, a tight, winding road, and both owners and road-testers alike agreed that the turbo TX3 had to be driven with great respect. The power of the 100kW 16 valve engine would come on with a rush. There was really very little detectable turbo lag, apart from the occasional slight initial hiccup when going from no boost to full boost, and it revved out very cleanly. So great was the accelerative ability of this car that you needed to be ultra careful when feeding in throttle on second and third gear on mountain roads. A slight lapse in concentration, and the turbo Laser might end up thrusting you along a lot quicker than you wanted, corners rushing up with unexpected speed. So that meant the driver needed to be very precise with their throttle control: the front-drive turbo was much more responsive to the accelerator than anything then on the market.

Not that the TX3's suspension couldn't handle it. The TX3 was a tightly suspended sports hatch that was both well-balanced and forgiving. The ride was firm but not harsh and the basic handling characteristics were neutral with a tendency to understeer at the limit. The standard power steering which came with the turbo tended to make the car a little easier to turn in than previous TX3s without power assistance. But the front-drive turbo TX3 paled by comparison to the permanent four wheel drive version that was mechanically virtually identical to Mazda's impressive 323 4WD and was offered as part of the new three-model TX3 range. Without the torque steer, and with the ability to put its power cleanly to the ground, the 4WD Ford was very formidable.

At launch Ford claimed there were some accelerative losses through the extra friction imposed by the more complex drivetrain, but this was more than compensated by the considerable gains made in traction. The 1987 Laser's 1.6 litre engine, modified to reduce the noise and vibration that characterized the first versions, was in its twin cam turbocharged form an impressive power unit. Apart from the kilowatts it produced, it was notable for the fact that it was significantly smoother and quieter than the previous engine through the work that had gone into its basic design to eliminate harshness. We would love to hear from previous owners, and hope they find a few moments to provide their own review in the section below.
Ford KE Laser

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