Editing Ford Probe (section)

{{Short description|Liftback sport coupe (1988–1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Ford Probe
| image = 2nd Ford Probe GT.jpg
|manufacturer = [[Mazda]]<br />[[Ford Motor Company]]
| production = 1988–1997
| model_years = 1989–1997
| assembly = United States: [[Flat Rock, Michigan|Flat Rock]], Michigan ([[AutoAlliance International|AAI]])
| predecessor = [[Ford Capri]] ([[Europe]] / [[Australia]])<br />[[Ford EXP]] ([[North America]])
| class = [[Sport compact]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|FF layout]]
| successor = {{Plain list|
* [[Ford Cougar]] ([[Europe]])
* [[Mercury Cougar]]
* [[Ford ZX2]] ([[North America]])
}}
| related = {{Plain list|
* [[Mazda MX-6]]
* [[Mazda 626]]
* [[Ford Telstar]]
}}
| designer = [[Jack Telnack]]
}}

The '''Ford Probe''' is a [[hatchback#liftback|liftback (i.e., hatchback)]] [[coupé]] manufactured and marketed by [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] for model years 1988-1997 over two generations. The Probe was a byproduct of Ford's collaboration with its Japanese partner [[Mazda]], and both generations derived from the front-wheel drive [[Mazda G platform]] of the [[Mazda Capella]].

The Probe succeeded the [[Ford EXP]], and the instrument cluster of the first-generation Probe and pop-up headlight mechanisms were borrowed from the [[Mazda RX-7|FC Series RX-7]].

Based on the [[Mazda MX-6]] as a sport compact [[coupé|coupe]], the Probe was intended to fill the market niche formerly occupied by the [[Ford Capri|Capri]] in Europe, and it was originally intended to be the fourth generation [[Ford Mustang]] in the North American market as a direct competitor with the [[Honda Integra|Acura Integra]], [[Isuzu Impulse]], [[Nissan 200SX]], and the [[Toyota Celica]]. Ford's marketing team deemed the [[front-wheel drive]] platform would have lower production costs and would be acceptable (borrowed [[Mazda G platform|Mazda GD and GE platforms]])as front drive had gained considerably in consumer popularity.

Mustang fans objected to the [[front-wheel drive]] configuration, [[Japan]]ese engineering, and lack of a [[V8 engine|V8]], so Ford began work on a new design for the Mustang instead. On March 17, 1997, Ford announced the discontinuation of the Probe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.performanceprobe.com/text/info/history.htm |title=Probe History |publisher=Performanceprobe.com |date=March 17, 1997 |access-date=June 27, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207112708/http://www.performanceprobe.com/text/info/history.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2012 }}</ref>