Ford's "budget" sporty coupe based on the 1997-2000 Escort returns for 2003 with slight styling revisions. The ZX2 lineup consists of Standard, Deluxe, and Premium models. All have a 4-cyl engine teamed with manual or optional automatic transmission.

 For '03, torque is increased by 8 lb-ft to 135. The horsepower rating still remains the same at 130. ABS is optional. Other changes include new front bumpers with integrated fog-lamp cutouts, new radios, and revised wheels and exterior colors.

Deluxe and Premium offer an optional sunroof. Available only on Premium is optional leather upholstery.

Ford still builds Escort sedans for the fleet market, not consumers. That's why the related ZX2 keeps hanging on in showrooms despite modest sales at best. We don't have separate figures for ZX2, but we'd be surprised if sales exceed 20,000 a year, meager for a low-priced car.

ZX2's future is cloudy right now, but this old soldier must eventually march off into the automotive sunset. We'd guess that will happen by 2005, when a redesigned Focus may add a coupe body style to replace ZX2. Meanwhile, Ford dealers are evidently doing good business with Focus's current ZX3 and ZX5 hatchbacks, which cater to the same audience as ZX2--and probably siphon off some of its sales.

SPECIFICATIONS

Exterior Dimensions

 Wheelbase (in.): 98.4"
Overall Length (in.): 175.5"
Overall Height (in.): 52.3"
Overall Width (in.): 66.8"
Tread Width: (Front/Rear) (in.): 56.5"/56.5"


Interior Dimensions and Capacities

 Seating Capacity: 4
Head Room (Front/Rear) (in.): 38.0"/35.1"
Shoulder Room (Front/Rear) (in.): 50.8"/48.7"
Hip Room (Front/Rear) (in.): 51.1"/45.1"
Leg Room (Front max./Rear min.) (in.): 42.5"/33.4"


Passenger, Luggage, Fuel Capacity

 Passenger Volume (cu. ft.): 80.6
Luggage Capacity (cu. ft.): 11.8
Total Interior Volume (cu. ft.): 90.4
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal.): 12.8
Liftover Height (in.): 25.7


Powertrain Specifications

Engine: 4-Cylinder In-line, Dual Overhead Camshaft, 16V
Engine Electronics: EEC-V
Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm): 130 @ 5300
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 135 @ 4500
Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
Fuel Delivery: Multi-port Electronic Fuel Injection
Fuel: Unleaded Regular
Fuel Economy: EPA Est. mpg: 26 City/33 HWY
Transmission type - Standard5-speed manual
Transmission type - Optional4-speed automatic
Displacement: 2.0L (121 CID)
Bore and Stroke (in.): 3.34" x 3.46"
Main Bearings: 5
Valve Tappets: Mechanical Bucket
Transmission final drive ratio:4.10:1 (5-speed manual)
3.74:1 (4-speed automatic)


Chassis Specifications

Front Suspension Type: Isolated front suspension / engine subframe
Front Stabilizer Bar / Tube Diameter1"
Rear Suspension Type: Quadralink independent suspension in rear
Shocks: Integral strut, gas charged hydraulic
Rear Stabilizer Bar / Tube Diameter 0.51"
Brakes: 4-wheel power disc / rear drum Standard
Brakes: 4-wheel Anti-Lock System Optional
Springs: Helical coil