TF

TF

Verada Equivalent: KF Released June 1997 Discontinued March 1999 Preceeded by TE Replaced by TH Engines Sirius 2.4L 24 valve 6G72 3.0L V6 Transmissions F4A51 INVECS II 4 Speed Automatic, (Tiptronic function on Sports), F5M51 5 Speed Manual Model Designations Executive, Altera, Altera LS, Advance, Sports (from August 1997), Solara (from May 1998)

The TF Magna was a revised version of the TE Magna released just over 12 months earlier. Most of the changes were made to equipment levels and trim.

Externally the TF was no different to the TE it replaced with the exception of alloy wheel styles and wheel covers. As with the TE, the TF used the 24 valve 3.0 Litre V6 and Sirius 2.4 Litre 4 cylinder engine.

The TF introduced two new variants, the Sports in August 1997 and the Solara in May 1998. In the TF all Alteras were now V6, there was no longer a 4 cylinder option.

Major changes across the range include:

• Dual airbags became standard equipment on Advance and Altera LS.
• A speed alert unit was installed on all models
• Central locking now had a remote boot opening feature (previously only available on Verada Xi)
• Pull out cup holders
• New interior trim
• Addition of a telephone harness

Equipment/Trim Levels

Executive

The Executive featured remote central locking with immobiliser, power steering, electric mirrors and a security coded 4 speaker radio cassette as standard. Options included metallic paint, air conditioning, alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and drivers only airbag.

The Executive was available in both 4 cylinder and V6 models with manual or automatic transmissions

Advance

Based on the Executive it featured everything the Executive had with cruise control, ABS and dual front airbags as standard. Alloy wheels, air conditioning and metallic paint were optional.

The Advance was available only as a V6 in automatic or manual.

Altera

Featured everything the Executive had but also made electric windows, cruise control, metallic paint, electric antenna and air conditioning standard. The options available were CD player, ABS, drivers only airbag and alloy wheels.

The Altera was only available as a V6 automatic.

Altera LS

Based on the Altera. It had everything that the Altera had but made alloys, ABS and dual front airbags standard.

Sports

Early into the TF's lifecycle the Magna Sports became available it's line up. The Sports was the true son of the Elante, which featured in the First Generation.

The Sports received special sports seats trimmed in black fabric with rainbow inserts and 'Sports' embroidery. Door trim fabric match the seat inserts.

The door trims and dash pad are finished in a two tone black with dark grey. Carpet is black. The instrument panel surround has a brushed aluminum look with red needles. The steering wheel and gear shift are leather bound.

Mechanically (as with the Elante), the TF Sports receives no power upgrade over the standard Magna. It does however gain Tiptronic mode on automatic transmission models. Suspension has been modified, lowering the car by 10mm front and rear. Springs are stiffened and a larger 18mm anti-roll bar is attached to the rear.

The Sports also received a rear spoiler.

Standard equipment includes ABS, remote central locking with immobiliser, power steering, cruise control, alloy wheels, electic mirrors and a 4 speaker security coded radio-cassette stereo. Options included driver's only or dual front airbags and air conditioning.

The Sports was available in sedan form with 4-speed automatic with tiptronic mode or 5-speed manual and V6 engines.

Challenge

A limited edition Challenge model appeared in the TF line-up in October 1997. The TF Challenge was an Executive with free Air Conditioning and special "Challenge" labelling. It was available in 4 cylinder and V6 with automatic or manual transmission.

Solara

The Solara was introduced in May 1998. It was available in sedan or wagon form with the V6 engine and automatic or manual transmission. The Solara was based on the Executive and the equipment list was the same, except that the Solara had alloy wheels and air conditioning as standard equipment.