Ford · 1985–1997

Ford Aerostar

The Ford Aerostar is a range of vans that was manufactured by Ford from the 1986 to the 1997 model years. The first minivan produced by Ford, the model line was marketed against the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans. Introduced shortly before the Ford Taurus, the Aerostar derived its name from its slope-nosed "one-box" exterior (although over six feet tall, the body of the Aerostar retained a drag coefficient of Cd=0.37, besting the Lincoln Mark VII). The model line was sold in multiple configurations, including passenger and cargo vans, along with an extended-length body. Sold primarily in the United States and Canada, a limited number of vehicles were exported outside of North America. The front-wheel drive Ford Windstar was introduced for the 1995 model year as the Aerostar's intended replacement, but Ford sold both model lines concurrently through the 1997 model year. The role of the Aerostar cargo van was left unfilled, with the Ford Transit Connect serving as the closest successor (in terms of size and capability). For its entire production, the model line was assembled by the St. Louis Assembly Plant in Hazelwood, Missouri. In total, 2,029,577 vehicles were produced across a single generation.

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Successor: Ford Windstar

All Ford Aerostar data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Development

=== Carousel: the garageable van === For Ford Motor Company, the development of the minivan began life in the early 1970s as a companion model to the third-generation Ford Econoline/Club Wagon, under development for the 1975 model year. As the full-size van was slated to grow in size, Ford explored the concept of a "garageable van", designed with a roofline to easily fit through a typical garage door opening. Additional objectives for the "garageable van" included increased interior space (over station wagons) and more desirable styling (over full-size vans). Dubbed the Ford Carousel, a prototype was tested from 1972 to 1974, using the 124-inch wheelbase chassis of the Club Wagon. To achieve its "garageable" status, the roofline of the Carousel was lowered approximately 12 inches in comparison to a standard-wheelbase Ford Club Wagon, placing its height close to that of the later Ford Windstar/Freestar. The Carousel also received a more steeply raked windshield, a new, longer, front fascia, and a wagon-style roofline, with wraparound window glass. In a key indication of its future as a family-oriented vehicle, the Carousel had a rear tailgate with a drop-down rear window; like the LTD station wagon, it was fitted with simulated exterior woodgrain trim. The interior of the prototype was fitted with two rear bench seats trimmed similar to the Ford Country Squire and Mercury Colony Park. While the prototype would receive a positive response from many Ford executives, for a potential 1976 introduction, the Carousel did not reach production under any model name. At the time of its development, financial constraints forced the company to divert funds towards critical projects, such as the development of the Fox platform, Panther platform, and 1980 Ford F-Series. Along with it

Overview

=== Chassis === The Ford Aerostar (developed under Ford model code VN1, the first Ford chassis given an alphanumeric designation) uses a rear-wheel drive chassis configuration. Developed specifically for the model line, the chassis combines unibody chassis construction with full-length frame rails. While using unibody chassis construction to reduce weight, the hybrid frame design provided the Aerostar with a 5,000-pound tow rating (2+1⁄2 times the Caravan/Voyager, and matching that of the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari. The design has been utilized by other widely produced designs in the automotive industry, including the 1971–1996 Chevrolet Van and 1984–2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ. In a break from Ford light-truck precedent, the Aerostar did not use Twin I-Beam front suspension, instead using unequal-length A-arms and coil springs for the front suspension. The rear suspension was a coil-sprung live rear axle fitted with a three-link configuration (similar to the Ford Panther-platform chassis of the time, though not sharing commonality). During its production, the Aerostar was the only minivan sold in North America with coil springs at all four wheels. Through its production, the model line was fitted with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Powertrain details. For its 1986 launch, the Aerostar was introduced with two engines shared with the Ranger/Bronco II. A 100 hp 2.3 L inline-4 (also shared with the Mustang) was standard with a 115 hp 2.8 L V6 (from Ford of Europe) offered as an option; as a running change during 1986, the 2.8 L engine was replaced by a 145 hp 3.0 L V6 (shared with the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable). Initially intended as an option, the four-cylinder turbodiesel of the 1984 concept vehicle was dropped after prototype testing. For 1988, the 2.3 L engine was

Concept vehicles

=== Ford Aerostar (1984) === The Aerostar name was first revealed on a 1984 concept vehicle. Serving as a close preview of the production model line, the 1984 Ford Aerostar was one of the most aerodynamic vehicles designed by Ford (at the time); with a drag coefficient of Cd=0.37, the Aerostar was sleeker than the Ford Mustang SVO and the Lincoln Continental Mark VII. The front-engine configuration of the Aerostar was chosen for multiple reasons. In its research, Ford found that potential buyers preferred the configuration over rear and mid-engine vehicles (used by German/Japanese imported vans). The rear-wheel drive platform was engineered with class-leading payload and towing capacity over front-wheel drive minivans, with a 2000-pound payload and 5000-pound tow rating (2½ times the capacity of the Chrysler minivans). In the change from concept to production, very little of the exterior design would change, except for the window glass, headlights, and grille. In a notable change, the turbodiesel engine option (projected to provide up to 40mpg), was dropped from the engine lineup before production. HFX Aerostar Ghia (1987). Introduced at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show, the HFX (High Feature Experimental) Aerostar Ghia was a prototype of future minivan design. Two running prototypes were built from the collaboration of Ford and Ghia; both used the stock 3.0L Vulcan V6 and A4LD automatic transmission. The HFX concept borrowed some features used in other Ford vehicles, such as four-wheel air suspension and electronic climate control. From there, some of the technologies showcased in the HFX had never before been seen in a minivan; this included run-flat tires, adjustable pedals, power-sliding side doors, electric power steering, ABS, traction control, seatbelt pretensioners,

Discontinuation

Although the Ford Aerostar sold well, the minivan market segment was dominated by Chrysler minivans in the late 1980s. In 1988, Ford commenced design work on a successor to the Aerostar for a planned 1993 introduction. To compete more directly against Chrysler, what was to become the Ford Windstar adopted the form factor of the long-wheelbase Chrysler minivans and conceptually similar front-wheel drive sedan underpinnings, developed alongside the 1996 Ford Taurus. With the Ford Windstar being readied for a 1995 model-year introduction, 1994 was set to be the final year for the Aerostar. As with the planned replacement of the third-generation Ford Mustang with the dissimilar front-wheel-drive Ford Probe in the late 1980s, negative reactions from Ford dealers and the public prompted Ford to instead sell the Aerostar and Windstar side-by-side. On March 17, 1997, Ford announced the discontinuation of the Ford Aerostar, alongside the Ford Aspire, Ford Probe, and Ford Thunderbird/Mercury Cougar. The final vehicle rolled off the St. Louis assembly line on August 22, 1997; a total of 2,029,577 were produced over 12 years. Alongside the production of the Ford Windstar, a primary factor leading to the cancellation of the Ford Aerostar was an impending requirement for the addition of dual airbags (set to take effect on September 1, 1997), which would have required a complete (and costly) redesign of the front dashboard and front crash structure. The Ford Windstar (and later Ford Freestar) was offered in a cargo van configuration, but the first direct successor to the Aerostar Van, in terms of size and capability, is the Ford Transit Connect. Imported into North America since 2010, the front-wheel drive Transit Connect is also offered in passenger configurations; a 2014 redesign le

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Specifications

name: Ford Aerostar
Manufacturer: Ford
Production: June 15, 1985 – August 22, 1997
Model years: 1986–1997
Assembly: United States: Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly)
Successor: Ford Windstar, Ford Transit Connect (for cargo van)
Class: Minivan
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, Front-engine, all-wheel drive (1990–1997)
Platform: Ford VN1 platform
Engine: 2.3 L Lima I4 (1986–1987), 2.8 L Cologne V6 (1986) , 3.0 L Vulcan V6 (1986–1997), 4.0 L Cologne V6 (1990–1997)
Transmission: 5-speed M5OD-R1 manual, 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 118.9 in
Length: Standard-length:174.9 in, Extended-length:190.3 in
Width: 71.7 in
Height: 72.2 -
sp: us