There are a few numbered car models that left their mark on the 90s in particular. For our country, we can easily add Tofaş’s bird series cars to this list. There are Şahin, Doğan and Kartal models in the Tofaş bird series, which is one of the first choice models especially for young people who will buy their first car. The generally affordable model of the series was Şahin. Doğan, on the other hand, was the more luxurious model of the bird series for sedans with some minor accessory and feature advantages.
Kartal, on the other hand, was the station wagon model of this series. Tofaş’s Doğan and Kartal vehicles include L, SL, SLX and S models. We know that the top package is the SLX, but we do not know what these packages offer.
These models, used by Tofaş in Doğan and Kartal vehicles, were used to emphasize the luxury of automobiles.
The “L” model in Tofaş stands for “Lux”, the “SL” model as “Super Luxury”, the “SLX model as “Super Luxury Extra” and the “S” model as “Super”.
Apart from these models, there are models such as 1.4, 1.4 ie, 1.6 ie that we see mostly in Şahin’s. These models are details about the engine of the car. The models we will focus on will be special models that add significant differences to the vehicle.
Doğan, the luxury vehicle line of Tofaş’s bird line, underwent a design change in 1988.
Tofaş launched its new bird series in 1988 with a new design. The new model used the infrastructure of the Fiat Regata. Most of the Tofaş group vehicles we see on the market today consist of those released after 1988.
Between 1990 and 1992, Doğan L versions began to circulate on the roads.
Doğan L, which was launched as Doğan’s luxury car, had an engine with a bottom camshaft. One of the best things about this model, which has a flat engine, is that when the timing belt breaks, it does not damage the valves.
In Doğan L, the seats were made of velvet fabric to be more luxurious. The seat covers with brown and sand gray color options made the vehicle look very stylish for that period.
Between 1992 and 1993, Doğan SLs were put on the market with a significant change.
From the outside, there is not much difference between Doğan SL and Doğan L. In fact, the most important difference of this vehicle lies in the fact that it has different engines. Doğan SL had a single overhead camshaft tempra engine.
In Doğan SL, seat upholstery was monochromatic. This color, which is sand gray, also attracted people who bought new cars. There was also a problem with this vehicle. In these vehicles, unlike the previous models, when the timing belt broke, the valves were warped and caused a serious expense.
Doğan SLXs, which were released in 1993, were so popular that production continued until 2001.
Doğan SLX debuted as the fullest model of the series. Door trims that are more appropriate for the age, a dash made of stronger material, power steering on some models, automatic windshields and more are included in the series with the SLX. In addition, 5-arm steel wheels came specifically to the SLX family.
Unlike other models, the bumpers and side mirrors of the Doğan SLX are the same as the body color.
Doğan S, which started production in 1993, was produced as a lower model with SLX infrastructure.
Doğan S, which is the same as Doğan SLX in terms of engine and undercarriage, had cosmetic differences such as unpainted bumper and mirrors, no fog lights and washers, and no third taillight.
The D model, which we saw in Şahin and Kartal vehicles, was integrating a diesel engine into the vehicles.
Şahin and Kartal D models produced between 1989 and 1991 were equipped with a 1.9 L SOHC diesel engine. We can say that these diesel engines are not very successful. Before long, the diesel engine was also abandoned.
In addition to these, Kartal also has the Cargo model, which was released between 1998 and 1999.
This model was a model that was produced purely for load carrying purposes.
Today, we explained to you what the model names such as L, SL, SLX in the Tofaş group mean and what features they have. As your author, I am also a Tofaş Doğan driver and I love my car despite all the difficulties. Do you want more content like this? Let’s meet in the comments.
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