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.
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Ford Fairmont (EA26). 1991–3 (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 3949, 3984 cm³ (I6 OHC), 4942 cm³ (V8 OHV). Luxury version of Falcon went through similar changes, with Ford blue oval moved to the centre of the grille. Base engine the 3·9, enlarged to 4·0 during 1992. V8 offered from the start of the EB series in 1991—the big news after an absence since the 1980s from Ford’s large car line.
Manufacturing location: Broadmeadows, Victoria, Australia
Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Fairmont | Predecessor: Ford Fairmont (EA) | Successor: Ford Fairmont (ED)
Samsung SM7 (L47). 2011–19 (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan. F/F, 1998 cm³ LPG (I4 DOHC), 2495, 3498 cm³ (V6 DOHC). SM5-based flagship, on Renault Laguna 3 platform. Launched to fight Hyundai Grandeur (HG), which had a sizeable market share in Korea, especially among younger professionals, while Samsung’s dipped dramatically in 2011. More Asian styling than smaller car, with six-light design and dipping rear waistline more reminiscent of Nissan Teana (J32). Larger base unit, and larger engines than Grandeur on home market. Sport mode to suspension, which gave weightier steering, though standard mode still offered good handling and ride. V6s smooth, as expected from Nissan, and particularly quiet. Increased rear legroom—unsurprising given it targeted top business people. Gimmicky with air ionizer and perfume diffuser as extras. Swap out the Samsung badges for Renault ones, and it became the Renault Talisman at the Beijing show in 2012. Facelift in 2014 to SM7 Nova. LPG model from 2015. Range trimmed in 2017. Sold very poorly.
Manufacturing location: Busan, Korea
Marque: Samsung | Model: Samsung SM7 | Predecessor: Samsung SM7 (EX2)
Opel’s mid-sized model débuted in 1970, fitting in between the small Kadett and the larger Rekord. The car was conceived as a rival to the Ford Taunus, and was reasonably successful, with 691,000 built of the first generation. The second-generation Ascona B was more global, being the basis of the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk I and the Chevrolet Ascona and Chevrolet Chevair in South Africa. In 1981, Opel launched the Ascona C as its version of GM’s global front-wheel-drive J-car project—which had also spawned the Chevrolet Cavalier, Holden Camira and Isuzu Florian Aska. The Ascona C formed the basis of some South American Chevrolets and, surprisingly, the Daewoo Espero. The range was replaced by the Opel Vectra in 1988.
Marque: Opel | Successor: Opel Vectra
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