• The Tempo, Ford's midsize car, lived a relatively short production life. It was available from 1988 until 1994. The 1988 Tempo came in six trim levels: the GL coupe and sedan, GLS coupe and sedan, the LX and the four-wheel-drive sedan. The Tempo had a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $8,000 to $10,000, depending on the trim chosen.
  
  

Engine Specifications

• Two engine variations were available for the Tempo. The 2.3-liter Interline four-cylinder engine got 98 horsepower, 128 ft.-lb. of torque, 3.7 inches of bore and 3.3 inches of stroke, as well as a 9:1 compression ratio. The alternative was also a 2.3-liter Interline four-cylinder engine, with 100 horsepower and 130 ft.-lb. of torque. The other specifics of the engines were identical. The five-speed manual transmission was standard on most trims. The four-wheel-drive sedan had a standard three-speed automatic transmission, which was optional on the other trim levels.
  
  

Fuel Economy

• The Tempo's fuel tank held 15.4 gallons of gasoline in most trims; the four-wheel-drive sedan could hold 14.2 gallons.The three-speed transmission got 22 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. The five-speed manual transmission, using the 98-horsepower engine, got 21 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The 100-horsepower engine got 24 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.
  
  

Dimensions

• The 1988 Tempo was 68.3 inches wide and 52.8 inches tall with a 99.9-inch wheelbase. The coupes were 176.7 inches long and had two doors. The other models had four doors and were 177 inches long.
  
  

Passenger Room

• The Tempo could accommodate up to five passengers. Front-seat passengers got 37.5 inches of headroom, 41.5 inches of legroom, 53.9 inches of shoulder room and 48.8 inches of hip room. Rear passengers got 36 inches of legroom. The sedan models had 36.9 inches of headroom, 53.3 inches of shoulder room and 51 inches of hip room. The coupes had 36.8 inches of headroom, 54 inches of shoulder room and 51.8 inches of hip room.