Autocade is an international car cyclopædia that’s geographically unbiased, carefully edited for enthusiasts and media who want a quick, accurate reference. There is a greater emphasis on models produced after 1970.
Inside Autocade
Ford Equator. 2021 to date (prod. n/a). 5-door SUV. F/F, F/A, 1997 cm³ (I4 DOHC). JMC–Ford’s answer to the Jeep Grand Commander: a large, boxy unibody SUV with a choice of five, six or seven seats. Length at 4,905 mm, wheelbase at 2,865 mm. Dual 12·3 in screens side by side in interior, one for the instrumentation and the other for infotainment. Tencent voice-activated smart car system, augmented reality navigation, and assisted driving among tech. High levels of equipment at the top of the range. Turbocharged JMC–AVL Ecoboost unit developing 224 PS and 360 Nm.
Manufacturing location: Nanchang, China
Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Equator
Ford Verona (Nevada). 1989–92 (prod. 86,167 sold Brazil only). 2-door sedan. F/F, 1555, 1781 cm³ (I4 OHC). Project Nevada saw the third-generation Escort adapted into a two-door sedan for South America, replacing the ageing Ford Del Rey, competing with the larger Chevrolet Monza (1982–96). Good performance from 1·8, sourced from Volkswagen, which also sold the Verona as the badge-engineered Apollo under the Autolatina JV.
Manufacturing location: São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Verona | Predecessor: Ford Del Rey | Successor: Ford Orion Mk III
Renault Dauphine (projet 109). 1956–67 (prod. 2,150,738). 4-door saloon. R/R, 845 cm³ (I4 OHV). Renault recognized the postwar buyer would want something more sophisticated than its 4CV, and developed the Dauphine to appeal to them. Ventoux engine bored out to a 5CV size; more interior room and more available colours. Styling followed the Frégate’s, but scaled down. Originally inserted between 4CV and Frégate, later supplanting the smaller car. Luxury Ondine model from 1961 to 1963, 1093 racing homologation specials in 1961–3 (2,140 built) with 49 PS, and sporting Gordini from 1964 with 36 PS and good for 126 km/h. Very basic Teimoso offered in Brazil. Exported to the US, where at one point it was the top-selling import, and an electric model (the Henney Kilowatt) was built on its base. Indifferent workmanship, but engine responsive; light steering aided manœuvrability. Handling acceptable for a rear-wheel-drive car, but poor brake feel. Three-speed transmission standard, though Gordini had a four-speed, and semi-automatic, later automatic, gearboxes available. Built also in Spain by FASA, in Italy by Alfa Romeo, in Brazil by Willys–Overland, and in Argentina by IKA.
Manufacturing locations: Flins, France; Valladolid, Spain; Santa Isabel, Argentina;
Ciudad Sahagún, Mexico; São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil; Milano, Italy
Marque: Renault | Predecessor: Renault 4CV | Successor: Renault 8
q.v. Renault Floride
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