Editing Ford Probe (section)

== Proposed third generation ==
The last Probe was built on June 20, 1997. A third-generation model, using the same platform as the [[Ford Contour]], was under development intended for release in mid-1998 as a 1999 model. When Ford decided to discontinue the Probe, this new design became the next-generation [[Mercury Cougar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/05/16/cars-of-futures-past-ford-probe/ |title=Cars of Futures Past – Ford Probe |last=Ernst |first=Kurt |work=Hemmings Daily |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> The name change was intended to attract younger buyers into Mercury showrooms, but this proved unsuccessful.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The [[Escort ZX2]], released shortly after the discontinuation of the Probe, was considered the Probe's successor.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In June 1998, Ford released what would have been the new Probe as the [[Mercury Cougar#Eighth generation .281999.E2.80.932002.29|1999 Mercury Cougar]].

=== Awards ===
The Probe ''GT'' was ''[[Motor Trend]]'' magazine's [[Car of the Year]] for 1993. It also made ''[[Car and Driver]]'' magazine's [[Car and Driver Ten Best|Ten Best list]] for 1989, 1993, and 1994.

The [[NASCAR Dash Series]] version of a 1990 Ford Probe driven by [[Jeffrey Collier]] set a new track record at [[Daytona International Speedway]] on February 13, 1990, with a speed of 166.553&nbsp;mph. That record still stands as the fastest closed course lap for a non-turbo four-cylinder powered car.