The Ford Royale was an automobile produced in Brazil by Autolatina, a joint venture between Ford and Volkswagen, in the 1990s. It was a wagon version of the Ford Versailles sedan, and both cars were essentially rebadged Volkswagen Quantums.
Ford Royale at a glance
| Maker | Autolatina, Ford and Volkswagen joint venture, Brazil |
|---|---|
| Period | the 1990s |
| Bodies | three-door and five-door station wagons |
| Engines | 1.8 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder |
| Related sedan | Ford Versailles |
| Origin | Volkswagen Quantum |
| Market | Brazil |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only; the source article is short, so this page is shorter than usual.
History of the Ford Royale
A Volkswagen with a Ford badge
The Royale was built in Brazil during the 1990s by Autolatina, the joint venture between Ford and Volkswagen that produced cars for both companies in South America. It was the estate version of the Ford Versailles sedan, and both models were essentially rebadged Volkswagen Quantums, sold under Ford names for the Brazilian market.
Bodies and engines
The Royale was available as both a three-door and a five-door station wagon, and buyers could choose between 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines. The arrangement was typical of Autolatina, where one design was shared between the two brands and each sold it with its own badge, grille and trim.
The end of the joint venture
The Royale disappeared with the end of the Ford and Volkswagen partnership in Brazil, as each company returned to its own model ranges. Cars of this generation are now remembered as curiosities of a period when a Ford showroom could sell a car designed and built by Volkswagen.
Design and features
- Joint venture car: built by Autolatina, the Ford and Volkswagen partnership.
- Two bodies: three-door and five-door wagons.
- Two engines: 1.8 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder units.
- Volkswagen origin: a rebadged Volkswagen Quantum.
Ford Royale versions
- Royale three-door: the shorter wagon body.
- Royale five-door: the longer wagon body.
- Ford Versailles: the saloon on which it was based.
The Royale was the estate version of the Versailles, part of the Brazilian Ford range that also included the Verona. More Ford vehicles are in the Ford collection.
Sources
- Ford Royale, English Wikipedia: joint venture, bodies, engines, origin
