Ford Laser TX3 Turbo AWD - why was it not a cult car?

[Syndrome]

People old enough to remember the 1990s will remember the first generation Subaru Impreza. A very non-descript small car.



Add a turbo charged engine, AWD and some modification to create the WR-X and almost overnight it was a sales success. Plus the aftermarket tuners made these things much faster.



So the question that has always bothered me is why didn't the Ford Laser TX3 Turbo AWD succeed with the same concept which arrived 5 years earlier than the Subaru with the release of the KE model?

Basic Ford Laser



And the top of the range model with a turbo engine and all wheel drive



It is not as if the model had no performance potential nor aftermarket tunning ability. Plus the KF model finished second at the 1991 Bathurst 12 hour against stronger opposition.
Mazda had the GT-X forebear which was released two years prior to the KE and had some outings in the Group A rally category.



A missed opportunity!