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Mercury
Two sedans and three wagons make up the 2008 class for Mercury from the Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. Sedans include a premium mid-size model renamed Sable and the elegant Milan, sized one step below Sable. Wagons range from the truck-based sport utility vehicle (SUV) Mountaineer to car-based crossover utility vehicles (CUV) like Mariner and a gas-electric variation, Mariner Hybrid.
Mercury's premium sedan garners the Sable badge for 2008 with lots of enhancements, including a new powertrain pumping more horsepower. Sable has the body of a mid-size model but the cabin of a big car with seats for five and luxurious appointments. The fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6 makes 263 hp and links to a six-speed electronic automatic transaxle with standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. Standard safety equipment includes side air bags for front seats and Ford's Safety Canopy curtain-style air bags. Optional Mercury Sync adds voice control over in-vehicle phones, media players and USB storage devices.
Four new equipment packages and five fresh paint colors apply to Mercury's four-door mid-size sedan the Milan for 2008. It shows expressive sheetmetal outside and comes with a passenger compartment big enough on to carry five adults comfortably. Milan offers two trims with entry-issue Milan and dressy Premier. There are two engine choices -- a 2.3-liter four-pack or 3.0-liter V6. The four-pack produces 160 hp and links to a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic. The 221-hp V6 employs a six-speed automatic. For added safety, Milan 2008 stocks a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and keyless entry keypad.
The Mariner compact wagon is an easy-driving CUV riding on a car's platform. It stocks premium equipment and optional V6 power plus FWD or automatic AWD traction. The tony cabin, with two rows of seats for five, features woodgrain trim with bright chrome and satin aluminum accents. Mariner divides into two grades -- Mariner and Premier, the latter with luxury touches and leather seats. A base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine makes 153 hp. The 3.0-liter V6 climbs to 200 hp and goes to Premier models. New body styling outside denotes 2008 models, with revamped cabins in monochromatic or two-tone treatment.
Mercury's Mariner Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) off the Mariner CUV has a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that drinks gasoline plus a battery-powered electric motor. The electric plant can propel the wagon or work with the gas engine to deliver a power boost like the kick of a V6. An electronic control module manages energy produced by the two plants and sends it directly to the front wheels -- or to all four wheels for the optional AWD version. Fresh sheetmetal styling for the 2008 Mariner looks keen, and the cabin flashes new chrome accents and Satin Pewter finishes.
Mid-size Mountaineer the truck-based SUV brings a passenger compartment of generous scale with three rows of seats and lots of on-board amenities, such as power-controlled running boards tucked into rocker panels. The seats include benches on second and third rows which fold down to form a flat cargo floor. A 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 is the standard engine, while a 4.6-liter V8 is available for 292 hp. Optional AWD models use Ford's Control Trac system to automatically channel engine torque to any wheel. The AWD gear also includes Ford's AdvanceTrac traction controller with Roll Stability Control (RSC).
