The Emgrand EC8 is a large family car of the Emgrand sub-brand of Chinese automaker Geely Auto .
66-785: The Emgrand EC8 debuted at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. Formerly known as the Emgrand EC825, Geely decided to shorten the name to simply Emgrand EC8. The EC8 is Geely's first entry to the D-segment mid-size sedan or Large family car market. The car resembles a cross between the Toyota Camry (XV40) and the Cadillac CTS as the EC8 was benchmarked against and reverse engineered from the Toyota Camry. The Geely EC8 will compete with mid-size rivals such as
132-507: A facelift and a new name, the AMC Matadors were available in two-door hardtop , four-door sedan , and station wagon body styles. The Matador shared a modified platform with the full-size Ambassador line with a shorter wheelbase. Although related directly to the previous Rebel models, AMC began promoting the Matador as more than a change in name with a slight facelift to reposition the line in
198-457: A roof rack as well as a two-way tailgate so that with the rear window retracted, it could be opened downward using a center-mounted release handle engaging the bottom-mounted hinges, thus extending the load surface or swing open door-like when using the handle on the right side that engaged the hinges on the left side of the tailgate. The Matador came with a straight-6 or one of several available V8 engines . The Matador's transmissions included
264-401: A "handling package" that included heavy-duty springs, shocks, and rear sway bar. Dual exhaust was standard with the optional 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8, but was extra with the base 360 cu in (5.9 L) engine. A "Twin-Grip" differential was optional, but recommended with the performance package and required with the optional 3.91 rear end. Approximately fifty Matadors with
330-472: A 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) front and a 2.5-mile-per-hour (4 km/h) rear impacts without damage to the engine, lights, and safety equipment. Matadors gained stronger front and rear bumpers . The front bumper included self-restoring telescoping shock absorbers and more prominent vertical rubber guards. In contrast, the rear bumper gained vertical black rubber bumper guards that replaced a pair of similar and previously optional chrome bumper guards. Aside from
396-595: A Matador" advertising campaign established a distinct marketing identity for the car. This self-disparaging marketing campaign "turned the styling of anonymity into an asset". Consumer-research polls conducted by AMC found it meant virility and excitement to consumers. American Motors ran into problems in Puerto Rico, where the term "matador" retained a bullfighting "killer" connotation. Station wagons offered optional rear-facing third-row bench seats, increasing seating from six to eight passengers. Standard equipment included
462-407: A coupe, thus giving designers the freedom to style "rakishly as sheet metal could be made to look" and eliminating the limits of making sedans and station wagons with the same lines. The results of these efforts were introduced with the 1974 model year Matadors. Four-door sedans and station wagons featured significant front-end changes. The rear end on the four-door sedans was revised. In contrast,
528-443: A manual transmission remained as the base drivetrain for the sedans. The 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8 with an automatic transmission was standard on station wagons (optional on the sedan). A popular upgrade was the 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 with a two-barrel carburetor. A "Performance Option" 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and a dual exhaust system that included twin catalytic converters
594-403: A new full-width grille featuring squared-off parking lights in the front and a new tail light lens assembly. An uplevel "Brougham" trim option became available for sedans and wagons starting with the 1975 model year. There were no further style changes to the body of the sedan and wagon for the remainder of the production run. A preview of the 1975 Matador models by the editors of Consumer Guide
660-456: A redesign in 1974, in part to meet new U.S safety and crash requirements. The most significant change was to the two-door version. The hardtop was the slowest-selling body style in the Matador line. However, it was in a market segment where two-door models were typically the most popular and profitable for other automakers. As a result, the boxy two-door hardtop body design was replaced with a wholly different and sleeker coupe model "to contend with
726-503: A sales tool that other brands did not offer, and the quality of the cars resulted in improved ownership satisfaction. Externally, the 1972 models were the same as the 1971 versions, retaining the same front end, but now with a simplified grille design. The chrome trunk lid strip and rear corner chrome found on the 1970 Rebels and 1971 Matadors were dropped. The 1972 model was given a new tail light lens assembly, each divided into nine recessed vertically rectangular lenses. The 1972 models saw
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#1732892055562792-634: A steel hoop above the headliner to prepare for increasingly stringent roof crush standards. It also featured a design that was praised by owners along with their complaints about its low roofline. The design of the Matador coupe has been described as "polarizing" as well as being "an evocative, swoopy coupe that perfectly captured the design ethos of the era". Factory-backed first-generation hardtops and second-generation coupes competed in NASCAR car racing from 1972 through 1975. Drivers included Mark Donohue and Bobby Allison , who won several races, including
858-486: A two-door hardtop prepared by Roger Penske on the road course at Riverside, California, on 21 January 1973, lapping the entire field to win this NASCAR Cup Series race. This was also Penske's first NASCAR victory at the Winston Western 500, with Donohue's Matador leading 138 out of the 191 laps. A comparison of 1973 Matador owners conducted by Popular Mechanics indicated increased satisfaction and fewer problems than
924-573: Is a UK term and a part of the D-segment in the European car classification. Mid-size cars are manufactured in a variety of body styles, including sedans , coupes , station wagons , hatchbacks , and convertibles . Compact executive cars can also fall under the mid-size category. The automobile that defined this size in the United States was the Rambler Six that was introduced in 1956, although it
990-477: Is also associated with bullfighter . Nevertheless, the marketing strategy involved developing a new identity for AMC's model in intermediate-sized segment that was then popular for middle-class American families. These cars had wheelbase between 118 and 118 inches (2,997 and 2,997 millimetres), weighed around 3,500 to 3,700 pounds (1,588 to 1,678 kilograms), and were most often equipped with V8 engines ranging from 300 to 360 cu in (4.9 to 5.9 L). With
1056-732: The Barcelona and Oleg Cassini (after the noted fashion designer ), positioning the coupe in the personal luxury segment. The Matador sedan was popular as a police car in the United States, and several television series during the 1970s featured Matadors in prominent roles. Abroad, Matadors were also marketed under the Rambler marque and were assembled under license in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Australia. Matadors were also sold in other overseas markets, including exports of right-hand drive versions to
1122-595: The Borg-Warner sourced "Shift-Command" three-speed automatic, a column-shifted three-speed manual, and a floor-shifted four-speed manual. The traditional muscle car market segment sharply decreased in 1971, with ever-higher insurance rates and ever-more power-robbing changes required on engines forced to operate on lower octane, lead-free gasoline . Combined, it was enough to force AMC to discontinue its high-performance Rebel Machine model after just one year. Instead, an optional "Machine Go package" of performance enhancements
1188-460: The Mercury Montego (second-generation) with 400 cu in (6.6 L) two-barrel V8 engine with automatic transmission 13 mpg ‑US (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg ‑imp ) city and 17 mpg ‑US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg ‑imp ) highway. When new, the "Matadors were considered great cars," but AMC could not "really market the car against
1254-436: The "Machine Go" package were produced for the 1971 model year. The 1972 Matador was positioned as a "family car" and continued with a few changes in sedan, two-door hardtop, and a station wagon with two or three rows of seats. The 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6 was standard on sedans and the hardtop with the wagon including the 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 engine as standard. A three-speed column manual transmission
1320-568: The "big cars of the future." By 1978, General Motors made its intermediate models smaller. New "official" size designations in the U.S. were introduced by the EPA , which defined market segments by passenger and cargo space. Formerly mid-sized cars that were built on the same platform, like the AMC Matador sedan, had a combined passenger and cargo volume of 130 cubic feet (3.68 m ), and were now considered "full-size" automobiles. Cars that defined
1386-410: The "second generation" Matadors. New passenger car requirements set by NHTSA called for the front and rear passenger car bumpers to have uniform heights, take angle impacts, and sustain 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) impacts with no damage. All the 1974 Matadors accomplished this with massive front and rear bumpers mounted on energy-absorbing shocks. The sedans and station wagons had them integrated with
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#17328920555621452-430: The 1962 Ford Fairlane was viewed by consumers as too close to the compact Falcon in size and performance as well as too close to the full-sized Ford models in price. It was the introduction of General Motors " senior compacts " that grew the mid-size market segment as the line of cars themselves kept increasing in size. By 1965, these GM "A platform" mid-size models matched the size of 1955 full-size cars. During
1518-425: The 1970 Rebel. The Rebel tail light lenses were replaced with three rounded-square lenses. The interior dash, instrument cluster, steering wheel, and armrests were carried over from the 1970 model as was the " Weather Eye " fan-heat control unit used since 1967. Advertising suggested the Matador was not just a name change and facelift. The new nameplate distanced the car from connotations of social unrest. The "What's
1584-416: The 1970s, the intermediate class in the U.S. was generally defined as vehicles with wheelbases between 112 inches (2,845 mm) and 118 inches (2,997 mm). Once again, the cars grew and by 1974 they were "about as large as the full-size cars of a decade or so ago ... best sellers include Ford Torino , Chevrolet Chevelle , AMC Matador , Plymouth Satellite ..." The domestic manufacturers began changing
1650-455: The 1973 cars and summarized that "AMC actually has a very strong product line, but public awareness of it seems so feeble as to be negligible. ... The Matador became a typical intermediate, an exact counterpart of the Satellite / Coronet or Torino / Montego ", and ranked AMC's car as a "good buy". American Motors was facing many challenges in a dynamic marketplace. The strategy to redesign
1716-549: The 1975 Southern 500 at Darlington. The AMC Matador captured five first-place wins. Matadors in police livery were featured in television shows and movies during the 1970s. The Matador coupe was a featured car, and a scale model of it was used as a flying car in The Man with the Golden Gun , a James Bond film released in 1974. For 1971, Matadors received a revised front styling for all body styles. It shared its body design from
1782-491: The 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 two and four-barrel versions. These ratings were similar to those of the competitors such as the Dodge Coronet and Charger (fourth-generation) with 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 engine with automatic transmission 11 mpg ‑US (21 L/100 km; 13 mpg ‑imp ) city and 17 mpg ‑US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg ‑imp ) highway or
1848-412: The Matador for the 1974 model year was an example of the changes Gerald C. Meyers, vice president of product development, wanted for AMC's mid-sized product range. The intermediate-sized cars were best sellers in the U.S. and the two-door hardtops or coupe versions most popular with consumers. Because styling was most significant selling point, a decision was made to develop a new version of the Matador as
1914-515: The Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Magotan, Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and Chery-Riich G5 in the Chinese market. This article about a modern automobile produced after 1975 is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mid-size sedan Mid-size —also known as intermediate —is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than compact cars and smaller than full-size cars . "Large family car"
1980-746: The U.S. market dropped from 4.6% in 1975 to 2.8% in 1976 as consumer demand for small cars decreased. To help move unsold cars, AMC offered price cuts and rebates to buyers. A problem with emissions controls required a recall of almost all non-California Matadors, "which cost AMC more than $ 5 million and contributed to a net loss of $ 46.3 million for the fiscal year." All 1977 Matadors included enhanced comfort, trim, and convenience equipment as factory standard. Among them were automatic transmission, power steering, power disc brakes, full wheel covers as well as individually adjustable and reclining front seats. Standard were fully color-coordinated interiors with plaid patterned fabrics or full vinyl upholstery. Plush carpet
2046-527: The United Kingdom. The 1971 Matador replaced the AMC Rebel marketed since 1967. Amid the social upheaval in the United States during the late 1960s, AMC recognized that "Rebel" no longer aligned with the company's image into the 1970s. A rebranding effort involving market research led to the selection of "Matador," a name that resonated with consumers as exciting and powerful. However, the matador description
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2112-399: The bodywork using gap-concealing flexible filler panels. The four-door sedans and wagons had increased overall vehicle length, as well as new front and rear styling. A new front fascia with a hood and grille featured a prominent central protrusion that followed the front bumper shape. Matadors with this front end are sometimes nicknamed " coffin noses". The sedan's rear was redesigned, with
2178-469: The bull market for plush mid-size coupes that sprang up after the end of the muscle car era". Following the design introduced by General Motors for the 1973 Third-generation GM A platform vehicles known as the "Colonnade" style intermediates, the Matador coupe was no longer a two-door pillarless hardtop. The new coupe featured broad B-pillars, wide rear quarter windows, and a steeply sloping roofline flowing into flared rear fenders. The pillars included
2244-414: The car (except for tires). Owners were provided with a toll-free number to the company, as well as a complimentary loaner car if a warranty repair took overnight. The objective was to reduce warranty claims and achieve better public relations along with greater customer satisfaction and loyalty. AMC dealers evaluated this "revolutionary" coverage as successful in bringing buyers into the showroom, providing
2310-443: The center of the dash. The traditional steering wheel horn pad since the 1970 Rebel was replaced with a rectangular "soft feel horn bar". Second-generation sedans and station wagons continued with minor trim and equipment changes only, through to 1978. The base model sedans and wagons came with the 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 with the three-speed Torque-Command automatic transmission. The 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8
2376-467: The changes to the bumpers, the design of the 1973 model was identical to the 1972 model except for new tail light lens assemblies and a slightly different grille pattern. The dash and instrument cluster of the 1972 model were repeated in the 1973 model. However, the steering wheel horn pad no longer included a "bullseye" emblem, which had been used since the last year of the Rebel models. The full-width bench seat
2442-579: The combined passenger and cargo volume, mid-size cars are defined as having an interior volume index of 110–119 cu ft (3.1–3.4 m ). AMC Matador The AMC Matador is a series of American automobiles that were manufactured and marketed by American Motors Corporation (AMC) across two generations, from 1971 through 1973 (mid-size) and 1974 until 1978 (full-size), in two-door hardtop (first generation) and coupe (second generation) versions, as well as in four-door sedan and station wagon body styles. The first generation Matador
2508-665: The definition of "medium" as they developed new models for an evolving market place. A turning point occurred in the late 1970s, when rising fuel costs and government fuel economy regulations caused all car classes to shrink, and in many cases to blur. Automakers moved previously "full-size" nameplates to smaller platforms such as the Ford LTD II and the Plymouth Fury . A comparison test by Popular Science of four intermediate sedans (the 1976 AMC Matador, Chevrolet Malibu , Ford Torino, and Dodge Coronet ) predicted that these will be
2574-459: The firewall rearward with the Ambassador and the same platform. Revisions included a longer wheelbase and updated front styling, grille, and chrome trim. The new Matador was available in four-door sedan, two-door hardtop (no B pillar), and four-door station wagon body styles. The 1971 sedan and hardtop models retained the same rear bumper, trunk lid chrome strip, and rear-corner chrome garnishes as
2640-541: The five car lines offered by AMC. The advertising focus in 1973 for the intermediate-sized AMC car was based on the tagline of "What's a Matador?" in an effort to make this brand name more identifiable to consumers. The advertising campaign was successful in raising awareness. The Matador sedan and station wagon models "offered excellent value and were fairly popular" cars. Matadors were also offered to fleet buyers with various police, taxicab, and other heavy-duty packages. They outperformed most other cars and "was adopted as
2706-483: The fuel filler door. A warning notice was added on the face of the fuel gauge , along with a restricted gas tank filler opening that allowed only the smaller pump nozzle that came on new pumps dispensing unleaded fuel. Steel-belted radial tires became standard equipment on all Matadors. The six-cylinder engine now became the 258 cu in (4.2 L) version and it was not available in California. The standard V8
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2772-451: The highly competitive intermediate-car segment among consumers. Along with the new identity for AMC's intermediate-sized line was switch of advertising agencies in 1972. Cunningham & Walsh took over AMC's $ 15 million account for national passenger car advertising from Wells, Rich, Greene. The promotional strategy was "to create a more positive awareness about the quality of American Motors car lines" because not enough people can identify
2838-460: The license plate was relocated above the number to the center of the rear panel with new, wider rectangular taillights. The station wagon had redesigned taillamps and a heavier, more robust bumper with a central rubber facing. The two-door hardtop Matador of the previous series was replaced with an all-new fast-back coupe for 1974, a wholly restyled model with no appearance similar to the new sedan and wagon. The interior of all body styles (including
2904-454: The market. Its performance ranks it in the first line of cars, yet it's reasonably priced." Changes for the 1975 model year were minor as AMC focused on developing and introducing its innovative Pacer . Matadors now included a standard "no maintenance" electronic ignition developed by Prestolite . All U.S. market Matadors featured catalytic converters that required unleaded regular-grade fuel. New "unleaded fuel only" decals were placed by
2970-745: The mid-size market in the 1980s and 1990s included the Chrysler K-Cars ( Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant ), the Ford Taurus , and the Toyota Camry , which was upsized into the midsize class in 1991. The Taurus and Camry came to define the mid-size market for decades. Mid-size cars were the most popular category of cars sold in the United States, with 27.4 percent during the first half of 2012, ahead of crossovers at 19 percent. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuel Economy Regulations for 1977 and Later Model Year (dated July 1996) includes definitions for classes of automobiles. Based on
3036-464: The official police car". Matadors became popular with government agencies and military units as well as police departments in the U.S., and the sedans and wagons were typically equipped with 360 cu in (5.9 L) or 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 engines. Matadors with heavy-duty police equipment were produced from 1971 through 1975. They continued to be in service longer than usual because of favorable field reports. The Matador received
3102-524: The other full-sizers" from the Big Three domestic automakers. The U.S. automobile marketplace underwent significant changes and adaptation. The "Big Three" domestic automakers still held 80% of the market while sales of foreign brands continued to expand. While the overall automobile market started recovering after the 1974 and 1975 slump following the 1973 oil crisis , sales of the large-sized Matador did not increase. The number four domestic automaker's share of
3168-407: The radically different coupe) featured an all-new fully padded and safety-shaped dashboard with three squared pods for housing the instruments in front of the driver ( indicator lights , fuel gauge , and water temperature to the left, 120 mph (190 km/h) speedometer at the center, and an electric clock or fuel economy gauge on the right) as well as a new horizontal radio/sound system design in
3234-806: The return of the round instrument dials of earlier Ambassador and 1967 Rebel models. The steering wheel resembled the 1970 Rebel and 1971 Matador models. New for the 1972 model were slimmer door armrests and a bench seat without the fold-down center armrests. Individual reclining front seats were an option for all body styles, with optional front bucket seats and center armrests on the hardtops. Production of 1972 Matadors included 36,899 sedans, 10,448 station wagons, and 7,306 pillar-less hardtops. The Matador hardtop, sedan, and station wagon body styles came in only one trim model for 1973, with numerous appearance and comfort options. The 1973 model year brought new U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations that required all passenger cars to withstand
3300-425: The same. The "Brougham" trim option continued for sedans and station wagons in 1976. Included were individually adjustable reclining front seats with custom "Hyde Park" fabric for the sedan or "Soft Touch" vinyl for the station wagon, woodgrain trim on the dashboard and door panels with assist straps, full-length bodyside scuff moldings, and other exterior trim. The 258 cu in (4.2 L) six-cylinder with
3366-635: The six-cylinder, which did not use a catalytic converter to meet emissions requirements. Cars with the I6 and manual transmission, as well as all V8 Matadors, included a catalytic converter. 13 mpg ‑US (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg ‑imp ) city and 16 mpg ‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg ‑imp ) highway for the 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8 engine. 12 mpg ‑US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg ‑imp ) city and 16 mpg ‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg ‑imp ) highway for
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#17328920555623432-475: The standard 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8). Red-white-blue striping as offered on the Rebel Machine was not available, nor was its standard factory-installed ram air hood scoop. No specific transmissions or shifters were included. Included with the "Machine Go" package were 15x7-inch "slot-style" wheels, L60x15 raised white lettered Goodyear Polyglas tires , a Space-Saver spare, power disc brakes, and
3498-426: The two-door model became a separate and radically styled pillared coupe . All models included new interiors and paint colors. The previous hardtop body style design was discontinued, and the new two-door coupe no longer shared body parts with the sedan or wagon. The coupe's roofline was significantly lower, and its wheelbase was 4 inches (102 millimetres) shorter than the four-door Matadors. These are considered to be
3564-506: Was 304 cu in (5.0 L) and optional were two versions of the 360 cu in (5.9 L) with a two-barrel carburetor or a four-barrel with a dual exhaust system that AMC called "Power Package." The 401 cu in (6.6 L) was available only for police and fleet orders. From 1975 the 360 and 401 V8s were fitted with the upgraded four-barrel Autolite 4300 carburetor . Only V8-powered Matadors were available in California. The sedan and wagon exteriors were updated with
3630-457: Was available through 1976. The 2.87 rear axle ratio was standard with 3.15 and 3.54 optional. A floor-shifted automatic transmission was available on coupes equipped with a V8 engine, bucket seats, and center console. The fuel economy ratings with automatic transmission were: 16 mpg ‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg ‑imp ) city and 19 mpg ‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg ‑imp ) highway for
3696-513: Was called a "compact" car at that time. Much smaller than any standard contemporary full-size cars, it was called a compact to distinguish it from the small imported cars that were being introduced into the marketplace. By the early 1960s, the car was renamed the Rambler Classic and while it retained its basic dimensions, it was now competing with an array of new "intermediate" models from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. The introduction of
3762-488: Was focused on the "family" market segment. It was also offered in performance versions, as highlighted in the NASCAR racing series with factory support from 1972 through 1975. With its second generation, the Matador became AMC's largest-size automobile after the Ambassador , which shared the same platform , was discontinued after the 1974 model year. Premium trim levels of the second generation Matador coupe were marketed as
3828-521: Was offered as an option, not a model designation, for the 1971 Matador two-door hardtop. It included many of those the Rebel Machine had had, with other options available individually; but without any specific "Machine" designation, badges, or marketing. The only engines available with the Go package were the 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 (an additional $ 373 option) and the newly introduced 401 cu in (6.6 L), AMC's largest engine ($ 461 extra over
3894-462: Was optional. A two-barrel or four-barrel 360 cu in (5.9 L) was optional as well as a 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 with dual exhausts. The 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 became a fleet-only option after 1974. A road test by automobile journalist Vincent Courtenay of the 1974 Matador station wagon "praised its performance, handling, and fuel economy considering its size and 360 CID engine." He described it as "a real sleeper on
3960-399: Was quite complimentary, especially of the sedan and wagon. For the 1976 model year, changes to the Matador sedan and station wagon were minimal. The only external upgrades were the addition of side bumper pads to the front and rear bumpers. The paddle-style inside door handles were changed for 1976, along with new armrests used in other AMC vehicles. Otherwise, all interior features remained
4026-461: Was replaced by the Chrysler -built TorqueFlite three-speed automatic that AMC marketed as "Torque-Command". The optional four-speed manual was discontinued. All engines were designed to use no lead, low-octane gasoline. New rocker arms and bearings provided quiet valve train operation. The 1972 model year introduced AMC's innovative "Buyer Protection Plan" to address increasing consumer demands. This
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#17328920555624092-466: Was standard with 50-50 individually adjustable and reclining seats were optional on all body styles. The station wagons came with "Uganda" vinyl upholstery, while the two-door hardtops offered optional front bucket seats. All V8-powered Matadors included a TorqueFlite 998 automatic transmission and a column-mounted shifter. The V8 Autolite 2100 carburetor was replaced with the modified Motorcraft 2150 carburetor . The 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6
4158-461: Was standard with the I6 engines. A total of five different horsepower versions of V8s - 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS), 175 bhp (130 kW; 177 PS), 195 bhp (145 kW; 198 PS), 220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS), and 255 bhp (190 kW; 259 PS), were optional and available only with a column-mounted automatic transmission. The previous Borg-Warner sourced "Shift-Command" three-speed automatic transmission
4224-424: Was the automobile industry's first 12-month or 12,000-mile (19,312 km) bumper-to-bumper warranty . American Motors started with an emphasis on quality and durability by focusing on its component sourcing, improving production that included reducing the number of models, mechanical upgrades, and increasing standard equipment. This was followed by an innovative promise to its customers to repair anything wrong with
4290-410: Was the base engine with a column-mounted three-speed manual transmission, with a 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 optional, with which only the station wagon could be ordered with manual transmission because almost all six-cylinder powered Matadors came with TorqueFlite 904 automatics. Promotional and publicity efforts for the Matador included sponsorship at NASCAR racing events. Mark Donohue drove
4356-424: Was the case with the owners of the essentially similar 1970 AMC Rebel three years earlier. The intermediate-sized car market segment was growing to almost twenty percent of the total domestic automobile market by 1973. Still, the hardtop was the slowest-selling version in the Matador line "in a segment where two-door hardtops were customarily the most popular (and profitable) models." Automobile Quarterly reviewed
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