Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Mercury: What's coming in 2010 - - and beyond

CONFIRMED FOR 2010:
MARINER/MARINER HYBRID: The Mariner gets convex blind-spot mirrors integrated into its side view mirrors. Newly available features include a backup camera, MyKey programmable keys, a self-parking system, and an enhanced SYNC system that provides live traffic and turn-by-turn directions.
MILAN: (photo) The Milan gets subtly updated styling, a new 2.5 liter base engine, and a revised 3.0 liter six. The new Milan Hybrid uses the same hybrid system as the Fusion Hybrid, complete with an Atkinson-cycle version of the 2.5 liter engine; EPA fuel economy estimates are an impressive 41 MPG city and 36 MPG highway.
MOUNTAINEER:Trailer Sway Control is now standard and models with navigation get an improved system with Sirius Travel Link. The Mountaineer Premium model now includes a sunroof and premium audio system as standard.
SABLE: Discontinued.
BEYOND 2010:
NEW SMALL CAR: Ford has talked about turning Mercury into a small-car division, which would explain why there's no Mercury version of the upcoming 2010 Taurus. When Ford released their future product plans last summer, they announced that Mercury would get a new small car. My guess would be that it will be based on the next-generation Ford Focus, due in 2010 as a 2011 model, although Ford could conceivably import a European model that isn't sold in America. No word on what the new car will be called... maybe Tracer?
GRAND MARQUIS, MOUNTANEER: If Mercury is to become a purveyor of small cars, the big Grand Marquis sedan and Mountaineer SUV will have to go the way of the Sable -- Ford just hasn't said when

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