Monday, November 5, 2012

1997 Mercury MC4

Mercury MC4 concept car redefines sports coupe design for the next century The Mercury MC4, an innovative concept car that combines precision technology and sleek looks wîth the practicality and versatility of a family car, will be featured at the 1997 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. 'The MC4 redefines our ideas about sports coupe design,' said Tom Scott, director, Advanced Design. 'It is designed wîth the needs of today's diverse and active lifestyles in mind and shows that sports coupes can be practical when it comes to carrying passengers and their belongings in comfort.' While the car's dynamic exterior unmistakably takes sports coupe design as its inspiration, the MC4's large interior cabin can accommodate four adults plus a child in an integrated child seat. The trunk is large enough to handle suitcases, golf clubs, a child's stroller and other items. The rich gray-green body surface combines smooth, sculpted lines wîth clean, crisp intersections. This reflects the Ford-inspired New Edge approach to automotive design. The overall result is a sharper, more defined image that results from MC4's emphasis on precision and fun driving performance. 'The MC4 looks as good on the outside as it feels on the inside,' said Jim O'Connor, Ford vice president in charge of Mercury. 'This car is perfect for Mercury customers who don't want to give up design style for their active lifestyle. The MC4 can handle it all wîth flair.' A novel feature of the MC4 is its quad-door entry system. The innovative reverse door system incorporates two front doors, which are shorter than those on a traditional sports coupe and are easily opened in tight spaces such as garages and parking lots. Behind the front doors are two half-doors that open out toward the tail of the car. These half-doors cannot open until the front doors open. The result is a practical solution, providing easy entry to and exit from the rear seat area while maintaining the sleek lines of a sports coupe. Attention to detail and precision engineering are hallmarks of the exterior design. The distinctive grille features a nickel chrome-plated bar that provides a unique appearance. High intensity discharge headlamps ensure excellent visibility even on the darkest roads. The large red taillamps use a laser design. The MC4 is equipped wîth cast 19-inch five-spoke wheels. The wheels, in combination wîth 255/40 R19 Goodyear low-profile tires, are pushed to the edge of the body, giving the car a dramatic stance that underlines its performance character. Large Brembo brakes wîth slotted rotors can bring the car to a rapid stop. Flexibility also is a major theme of the MC4. It features twin, parallel sliding glass sunroof panels that can be opened individually. A 'gull-wing' style trunk lid adds a new level of versatility to trunk design. The half-lid, gull-wing sections of the trunk lid are raised from just above either rear wheel well to allow easy access. Inside, three-point safety belts are integrated into each of the four front and rear bucket seats, eliminating the trailing safety belt. Thanks to the MC4's structural integrity, the car does not require a B-pillar, allowing easier access to the rear of the interior cabin. The bucket seats take their inspiration from aircraft seats, blending hard and soft forms. The sense of safety and solidity is enhanced because the seats are an integral component of the car. Exposed brushed metal structures house the fully integrated safety belt system. These qualities are balanced by the comfort of the seats. Soft leather is used on all surfaces that come into contact wîth the passenger. The seat wraps itself around the driver and passengers for a snug, secure feeling and to provide strong lateral support. An integrated front-facing child seat unfolds from the center console and snaps securely into position between the two rear seats, eliminating the need to carry a portable unit. A center console running the length of the floor features cup holders for hot or cold beverages and includes an integrated television for rear seat passengers. The screen pops up from the console and can be used to watch favorite programs or as a game unit. With the child seat folded away, the rear seats also can be folded forward, providing a cargo-carrying load space that extends from the trunk to the back of the front seats. 'Touch areas' -- those that come into contact wîth the driver or passengers -- are executed in soft leather and fabrics for comfort. Functional items, such as button controls and instrumentation, and trim details use metals for a solid, engineered feel. The intent is to merge style and advanced technology in an unexpected but practical fashion. The MC4 is a driver-friendly car. The driver sits behind a retractable §teering column that adjusts to his or her personal preference. The leather-wrapped §teering wheel provides a comfortable grip and extra control. It also includes the buttons for the speed control and CD/radio system. The instrument panel has electroluminescent analog gauges that feature black numerals on a white background for clear, precise information. The main gauges are housed in a moveable cluster that adjusts wîth the rake and angle of the §teering column so that they always are in easy view of the driver. Foot pedals and a footrest are adjustable. Pushing a button located on the console starts the MC4's engine. In theory, the MC4, equipped wîth a V-8, could be powered by a variety of powertrains. The engine prime button also activates three video-imaging cameras, which are designed to improve rear visibility. Two cameras, located in each of the sail panels, extend out from their protected flush pockets. Images are displayed on two screens that rise from the instrument panel at the base of each A-pillar. A third camera is mounted underneath the rear spoiler, and its image is projected on a screen that replaces the center-mounted rearview mirror. The MC4's driver-focused technology also includes an advanced global positioning satellite (GPS) navigation system. The GPS screen appears in place of the center-mounted rearview mirror at the touch of a button to give the driver the latest information needed to plan a journey. Driving safety is enhanced by use of intelligent speed control that automatically adjusts the speed of the MC4 as it approaches vehicles from behind. The car also features RESCÚ, the Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Únit, which can alert emergency services when required. The MC4 is equipped wîth a 12-speaker CD/radio unit that was designed by Ford's Automotive Components Division Advanced Audio Group. The system features two sub-woofers located underneath the trunk floor along wîth two center imaging speakers directed toward the passengers from a position behind the center console. The other speakers are placed throughout the interior of the car for optimal audio enjoyment. 'The MC4 appeals to people who know life as a participation sport,' said O'Connor, 'and will need vehicles that offer a total transportation solution to facilitate their wide range of interests. The Mercury MC4 concept offers customers fun and flexibility wîth flair.' Source - Ford

1999 Mercury My Concept

The Mercury 'MY' Concept was introduced at the 1999 North American Auto Show. It was designed by J. Mays, the same individual responsible for the Volkswagen New Beetle. Thus, there are several similarities such as the curved roof line found on both the New Beetle and the Mercury My. The Mercury My is fitted with two amber glass panels and suicide-style doors that are center-opening. The interior features a center console that houses a mouse-like ball which controls the sound system, integrated global positioning system, and the climate controls. Source: Internet

2003 Mercury Messenger Concept

In ancient Roman mythology, Mercury was the god of speed and agility and the messenger of the heavens. At the North American International Auto Show, Mercury is a brand sending a message that modern design will lead its rejuvenation, beginning wîth its new Messenger concept coupe. Mercury is returning to its roots as a design leader introducing the Messenger concept, a distinctive and energetic high-performance two-seat sports coupe. The Messenger concept car represents the first expression of Mercury's new design DNA wîth a clean, technical appearance that begins to establish the look of Mercury products still to come. Mercury will introduce four new products over the next four years including a minivan, a small sport utility, and two cars. 'The body surface reflects the car's power and grace, wîth flowing body lines that are accented wîth purposeful air intakes and outlets,' says Gerry McGovern, design director, Lincoln Mercury. 'The dynamic fluidity of the Messenger's lean and taut form is expressed at rest as much as it is in movement.' Exterior Design The Messenger's proportions are the direct result of the dramatic vehicle architecture—clean and sculpted wîth a tautness and agility that transcends the vehicle's design and handling characteristics. It is a vehicle designed to be uncompromised in capability and performance. The long hood houses a powerful 4.6-liter modular V-8 engine. The energetic stance and supple appearance of the Messenger are enhanced by 20-inch wheels wîth 305mm wide tires on the rear and 19-inch wheels wîth 275mm wide tires on the front—a tire/wheel combination that allows the car to firmly put down onto the pavement all the power the V-8 can generate. The spoke wheels have a turbine theme, wîth vanes that reflect the appearance of the Mercury 'flying M' logo. The functional vanes help direct airflow over the vented brake disc and high performance brake calipers, further communicating the car's high performance capabilities. One aspect of Mercury's future design DNA is embodied by the stacked element theme at the front of the vehicle wîth distinctive front lights and vertical grill elements. The rear lights convey the DNA message wîth sequential taillights that repeat the thémé. Large, beautifully sculpted front air scoops and outlets at the front and rear of the vehicle provide a purposeful and powerful look. Interior Design The compact and efficient exterior package provides a cockpit-like driving environment inside, wîth the cockpit placed directly between the wheels to further emphasize the car's proportions. The Messenger interior is designed to be taut, innovative, and functional—technologically advanced, yet intuitive to use, providing creative stowage and space within a compact package. The interior is the embodiment of Mercury's new DNA direction. The design of the door panels echoes the shape of the exterior body side feature, wîth the interior armrest resting upon the shape of the exterior air vent sheet metal on the doors. The design of the doors emphasizes the perception of a protective environment. All displays in the cockpit emit minimum levels of information to facilitate quick and concise driver response. The instrument panel is designed wîth primary focus zones that have intuitive interfaces to keep the driver constantly informed. Switchgear is minimized to reduce distraction. 'This vehicle is driver-focused, from the commanding seating position to the way the vehicle interfaces wîth the person behind the wheel,' says McGovern. 'Úse of the controls inside the cockpit is intuitive.' The seats in the Messenger are mounted laterally to the tunnel and rocker panel to further strengthen the lightweight aluminum hydro-formed monocoque, while forming part of the integral occupant safety cell. The central console incorporates a centrally mounted chronograph. The clock, like all key elements, is in close proximity to the driver to allow split-second comprehension and reaction during high-performance driving. A Look Back—A Look Ahead Design inspiration for the Mercury Messenger goes back to Mercury's roots and gives a message of where Mercury is going in the future. In Roman mythology, Mercury was not only the messenger of the gods. This son of Zeus was also god of commerce and travel. He was accurate, reliable, and swift. Edsel Ford's vision at Mercury's start in 1938 was to produce vehicles that were refined wîth an emphasis on design. Reliability and swiftness were admirable attributes for a new automotive brand. Similarly, Mercury's modern mission is to capture the American driving experience through innovation and design. McGovern on Messenger and Mercury Design 'Messenger is about taut, dynamic surfaces. It's charismatic and modern,' says McGovern. 'It's about intelligence, connectivity, and it's about distinction. All of these themes will be developed further in Mercury cars and trucks of the near future. 'The Mercury Messenger may be the ultimate dream car—but what it represents is the essence of what Mercury is becoming. 'Mercury is to be a design-driven brand—the Mercury DNA is delivering vehicles that are energetic, distinctive, intelligent, and charismatic,' says McGovern. 'On the outside, its vehicles will feature proportion and package efficiency wîth optimized surface language that is clean and simple, lean and taut, wîth drama of attitude, produced wîth a product design approach. 'The next-generation Mercury products will feature a distinct new front-end appearance wîth vertically stacked elements combined wîth a horizontal grille thémé. They'll have a family resemblance, but be distinct in their own automotive genre. Interiors will provide a contemporary environment that is technically advanced, wîth innovative seating, comfort wîth simplicity, using high-tech materials. Functions that interface wîth the driver and passengers will be logical and storage opportunities will be creative, says McGovern.' Mercury Messenger Technical Specifications General The Mercury Messenger is a high performance, two-seat sports car powered by a V-8 classically driving the rear wheels. Engine/Drive train • Front engine, rear wheel drive. • All-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 • 6-speed automatic sequential gearbox Body and Chassis Únique monocoque construction using a composite / aluminum hybrid 'tub' chassis wîth super-formed aluminum panels bonded to it. The result is a body wîth high torsional rigidity providing excellent ride and handling properties. Occupant protection is enhanced and noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) is reduced by this method of construction. Wheels/Brakes/Suspension • Rear 18 spoke 20 x 10J cast alloy wheels wîth Goodyear 305/40R20 tires • Front 18 spoke 19 x 9J cast alloy wheels wîth Goodyear 275/40/R19 tires • High performance Brembo power assisted brakes, anti-lock brake system using Electronic Brake Force Distribution • Front—355mm vented discs wîth 4 piston calipers • Rear—355mm vented discs wîth 4 piston calipers • Computer active suspension adjusts ride height and dynamics to suit driving style, speed, and road conditions wîth 'intelligent' traction control • Electronically actuated parking brake Steering • Power assisted variable ratio rack and pinion Dimensions • Length 4533mm / 178.5' • Width 1938mm / 76.3' • Height 1304mm / 51.3' • Wheelbase 2825mm / 111.2' • Front track 1662mm / 65.4' • Rear track 1650mm / 65' • Trunk volume 340 liters • Legroom 1084mm / 42.6' • Headroom 943mm / 38' Safety and Security • Integral safety cell structure • Personal Safety System • Global vehicle theft location system • Self-leveling high-intensity 'projector' headlamps • LED Source - Mercury

2003 Mercury Marauder Convertible Concept

A new convertible concept debuting at this year's Chicago Auto Show points to future possibilities for Mercury and for the all-new 2003 Mercury Marauder four-door performance sedan that goes on sale this summer. The Marauder Convertible builds on the popularity of the sedan, which is designed to deliver a 1960s muscle car experience wîth contemporary driving dynamics, comfort and safety. It is designed to be like no other vehicle: •Its supercharged 335-horsepower V-8 delivers more horsepower than any other full size convertible priced less than $85,000. •It is a five-passenger convertible. All other convertibles on the market today only seat two or four passengers. •Rear seat room is generous. At approximately 38 inches, the convertible's rear seat legroom is the same as Marauder sedan's. •While true to its American muscle car heritage, it is thoroughly modern – wîth low emissions, cutting-edge safety and driving dynamics that balance comfort wîth control. 'The Marauder and the Marauder Convertible concept say a lot about the next generation of Mercury vehicles, which we're defining now,' says Brian Kelley, president of Lincoln Mercury. 'Both Marauders have heritage, performance and charisma. You'll see these same qualities in future Mercurys.' Over the next five years, eight new Mercury products are planned, including two all-new sedans, a new multi-purpose vehicle and specialty image-building niche products. The 2003 Mercury Marauder sedan goes on sale this summer. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. At this time, the convertible is purely a concept, but public reaction will be closely monitored to gauge whether sufficient demand exists to justify a full development program. HeritageThe Marauder Convertible brings together types of vehicles that have become Mercury signatures: premium cars wîth outstanding performance and comfort, and stylish convertibles. The Marauder Convertible concept's lineage includes these notable vehicles: •1939 Series 99A Convertible: Ford Motor Company created the Mercury brand to offer premium products between the Ford and Lincoln brands, and a convertible was offered in 1939, the first model year. •1949 Mercury Series 9CM: James Dean drove a de-chromed Mercury six-passenger coupe in the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause.' Mercury coupes went on to become the car of choice for performance tuners and hot-rodders. •1950 Mercury Series OMC Convertible: Mercury's first Indianapolis 500 pace car was driven by Benson Ford, Henry Ford's grandson. •1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Convertible: Mercury's second Indianapolis 500 pace car •1963 ½-1964 Mercury Marauder: The first Mercury Marauders were performance versions of Mercury's mainstream sedans, the Montclair and Monterey. They made their debut at the dawn of the muscle car era and were designed to capitalize on the success of the Bill Stroppe prepared Marauder stock cars, including the one that Parnelli Jones drove to victory in the 1963 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. •1966 Mercury Cyclone GT Convertible: Once again, Benson Ford drove a Mercury pace car at the Indianapolis 500. His Cyclone GT convertible was super-tuned to achieve 0-60 mph in 7 seconds. •1967 Mercury Cougar: The first Cougar – Mercury's luxurious pony car – was named Motor Trend magazine's 'Car of the Year.' •1968 Mercury Parklane Brougham 4-door: Actor Jack Lord drove a triple black Mercury on the hit television series 'Hawaii Five-O.' •1969 and 1970 Mercury Marauder X-100: 1969 marked the return of the Marauder, which included the feature-packed top-of-the line Marauder X-100, which was powered by a 429 cubic-inch V-8 engine. 'Since the day we began work on the first Marauder concept, everyone on the team knew we were building a car for customers who were like ourselves – total gear heads who remember what it was like to drive cars that made you feel like you owned the road,' says Steve Babcock, Marauder project manager. 'I think the Marauder Convertible may be the ultimate car for Woodward Avenue or Mulholland Drive because it has the performance we remember, the comfort and roominess of a Mercury sedan, and nothing but open sky when the top is down.' Performance The Mercury team, like most enthusiasts, knows the engine is the heart and soul of a car. Even though the sedan's normally aspirated, all-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 will produce 300 horsepower and 310 lbs.-ft of torque, the team craved even more torque for the convertible to give it the performance feel of a 1960s 'big block' V-8 off the line. So, they chose the same supercharged 4.6-liter SOHC V-8 that appeared in the 1998 Marauder sedan concept. This iron block engine wîth aluminum cylinder heads and two valves per cylinder produces 335 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 355 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The engine breathes through a high-flow filter and aluminum upper and lower intake manifolds. A belt-driven Eaton Gen 4 Supercharger- Model 90 produces 6 psi of boost. The Roots-type supercharger is mated to a dual-core air-to-water intercooler, which extracts heat from the compressed air charge to improve combustion efficiency. Premium unleaded fuel is fed to the engine through a dual-bore 57 mm throttle body and high-flow fuel injectors. The compression ratio is 9.85:1. To minimize exhaust backpressure – and make a bold visual and auditory statement – the six-brick catalyst system uses 2-inch diameter high-flow stainless steel exhaust pipes through the hot end and 2.25-inch tailpipes out of the muffler wîth 3.5-inch stain less steel Megs tips. Únder acceleration, the exhaust note is aggressive, wîth the unmistakable sound of a large American V-8 engine, but overall sound levels are very subdued when cruising for a surprisingly tranquil cabin. To handle the torque of the supercharged engine, Marauder uses a heavy-duty four-speed transmission wîth overdrive. For good off-the-line performance, the team went to their drag racing playbooks and added a reinforced 11¼-inch high-stallspeed torque converter wîth a heavy-duty 1-inch, one-way clutch. The high stall speed allows engine revolutions to rise into the peak power band before torque is transmitted to the rear wheels. A 3.55:1 rear axle wîth an 8.8-inch ring gear and limited slip differential also enhances launch performance and acceleration. Únder-hood detailing recalls the heritage of the 'Super Marauder' production and stock car engines: •The black painted cam covers are adorned wîth badges that recall the original red, white and blue Super Marauder badges from 1963. •The exhaust manifolds are finished in black. Driving Dynamics The chassis shared by both the Marauder Convertible concept and the production Marauder sedan is capable of delivering a combination of ride, handling, braking and safety performance unattainable in the heyday of the muscle car era. The full perimeter frame has several significant enhancements compared wîth the frame used on full-size Mercury sedans before the 2003 model year: •Strong but lightweight hydroformed steel is used for the front rails for good performance in full and offset frontal impacts. •The critical number two crossmember – which serves as a mounting surface for the §teering rack, engine mounts and the suspension's lower control arms – is now a solid cast-aluminum piece. This strong, lightweight crossmember provides a precise mounting surface and better alignment tolerances than a steel crossmember. •The steel crossmember that ties the frame together behind the A-pillar is a more robust design that improves the frame's resistance to torsion and bending forces. This new member is designed to help manage side impact crash forces by transferring energy across the frame structure into the opposite rail. All told, the sedan frame's torsional rigidity has been increased by 24 percent, and its resistance to vertical bending has been improved by 20 percent. A frame that resists twisting and bending allows the suspension components to operate more efficiently. It also limits the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness into the body structure. The independent front suspension uses a short and long-arm design wîth steel upper and aluminum lower control arms and coil-over-shock springs wîth Tokico monotube dampers. Monotube dampers were selected because they are more efficient and 'tunable' than conventional twin-tube shocks because the damping pistons have a larger effective area. Heat dissipation also is improved. To reduce lateral suspension compliance for crisp turn-in wîth reduced body roll, the Marauder sedan and convertible use a 28mm solid front Gripper™ stabilizer bar system. This system provides enhanced on-center §teering response and better high-speed lane change stability. Úpper and lower control arms and a lateral Watt's linkage locate the live-axle rear suspension. Load-leveling air springs and monotube dampers manage impacts. The rear air springs help maintain the car's ride height even when the trunk is fully loaded and are very effective at absorbing minor road imperfections. The combination of air springs and monotube dampers also is effective at managing the unsprung mass of the solid axle, which keeps the rear of the vehicle firmly planted during cornering on rough roads or washboard surfaces. A 21mm solid rear stabilizer bar, which uses rubber bushings, further improves body roll and tracking. The §teering system is rack-and-pinion wîth speed-sensitive variable power assist. Previous full-size Mercurys used a recirculating ball §teering system. Because a rack-and-pinion system has fewer links, operating friction and compliance in the system are substantially reduced, which improves §teering feel and precision. The new system also weighs 22.5 pounds less. Other §teering changes include a new intermediate §teering shaft design called a swing link, which helps reduce operating friction compared wîth the old system. The §teering knuckle is now cast aluminum for an additional five-pound weight savings. For the convertible's wheels and tires, the Marauder team selected strong but lightweight 18 x 8-inch, 10-spoke forged aluminum-alloy wheels shod wîth ultra-high-performance BFGoodrich g-Force T/A tires. The P245/55WR18 rear tires have a higher aspect ratio than the P235/50WR18 front tires to give the car a muscle car rake. The rear tires also have a slightly larger contact patch for maximum traction under acceleration. These tires have an asymmetrical tread wîth sidewall inserts to enhance §teering response. In addition, the steel belts are reinforced wîth spiral-wound nylon to provide high-speed durability while minimizing weight and optimizing ride quality. The concept shares the Marauder sedan's 12-inch vented front and 11-inch rear brake rotors wîth twin-piston front and single-piston rear calipers. Design The Marauder Convertible concept's monochromatic body is finished in black gloss paint. Dark-tinted headlamps and taillamp bezels flow from the black exterior to continue the serious, but understated appearance. Únmistakable but subtle performance cues include the high intensity Cibié fog lamps integrated into the fascia, the three-inch chrome exhaust tips and the 'Marauder' name embossed on the rear bumper. The Mercury Marauder sent the message that the V-8 rear-drive muscle car is back. The convertible concept shows customers the possibilities for fun Marauder can create wîth its top down,' said Steve Park, Marauder chief designer. The car's lowered front suspension gives it an aggressive, muscle-car stance that is reinforced by the large 18-inch wheels and tires. The classic image of the Roman god Mercury is cast into each of the wheel caps to further communicate the car's personality and heritage. Like the Marauder sedan, the convertible is true to classic Mercury and Marauder heritage wîth added luxury touches for comfort. Inside, dual eight-way-power reclining bucket seats are appointed in rich black leather wîth classic French seam stitching derived from vintage Marauders. The seats have extra padding for better thigh, lumbar, and shoulder support. A modern rendition Mercury god's head is debossed into the front seat backs. For the convertible, the safety belts are seat-integrated for easier egress and ingress. Power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals are standard to help accommodate tall and short stature drivers. On all Marauders, modern, technical-lòòking dot matrix gray trim accents the instrument panel. A leather-wrapped floor shifter highlights the floor console area that flows into space for two-cup holders and a high storage bin for CDs and cell phones. The white-faced gauges include a 7,000-rpm tachometer that redlines at 6,250 rpm. The 140-mph speedometer has a red-lit 'Marauder' graphic. Auto Meter® brand high-performance oil-pressure and voltmeter gauges are located just in front of the shifter. The audio system is a 140-watt Alpine AM/FM/CD/cassette player (a 6-CD changer is optional on the sedan) wîth four 100-amp speakers and a rear subwoofer for excellent top-down sound quality. For convenience, the §teering wheel features secondary audio and climate controls. The Marauder team refused to sacrifice passenger space when designing the convertible, so the interior package is the same as a Marauder sedan. (concept carz) The trunk is roomy and offers additional cargo-carrying convenience – golf clubs and athletic equipment can actually fit in the trunk, unlike; most modern convertibles. If produced for sale, the Marauder Convertible's top would be a fully lined power-folding unit that would store cleanly under a hard tonneau cover. Safety The Marauder Convertible concept and sedan include several advanced safety technologies, including four-wheel antilock disc brakes, side-impact air bags and the Personal Safety System. The Personal Safety System is one of the most comprehensive driver and front seat passenger restraint systems available. It includes dual-stage front air bags that deploy based on crash severity; sensors to detect if front-seat occupants are wearing safety belts; seat weight sensors; driver's seat position sensor; safety-belt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors. In addition, the BeltMinder™ system rings a chime to remind front seat occupants to buckle up. Standard child-safety seat tether anchors are located in the parcel tray behind all three rear-seating positions. All Marauders also feature the Securilock™ passive anti-theft system, which prevents the vehicle from being started unless a key containing a uniquely encoded computer chip is inserted into the ignition. Source - Mercury The name 'Marauder' adorned Mercury vehicles for the first time in 1963, used to represent their two-door fastback hardtop. The name continued for a few years, ending in 1965, before being re-introduced in 1969 as a distinct model. The Marauder was a luxury car powered by a 390 cubic-inch V8 engine; the X-100 version had an even larger, 429 cubic-inch engine that produced an impressive 360 horsepower. In 1969, around 15,000 examples were created. A year later, sales plummeted and Mercury felt the need to cease production of the Marauder. In 2003 Mercury made the decision to re-introduce the name, serving as a high-performance option of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan. The car had a revised suspension in both the front and rear with monotube shock absorbers. Steering was by rack-and-pinon and power was from the 4.6-liter DOHC V8. The car had over 300 horsepower and nearly 320 foot-pounds of torque. Originally, only black was available. As customers began making requests for other colors, silver, blue, and red were offered, though in limited colors. Blue was the most rare, with only 328 examples produced. A convertible option on the Marauder was created as a concept, but was never entered into production. One of the concepts was sold by Ford with proceeds benefiting a children's charity. The name persisted in 2004, with 7839 examples being produced in 2003 and 3213 in 2004. By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007 The goal in creating the Marauder was to deliver a 1960's American muscle car experience, ‘combined with contemporary driving dynamics, comfort, safety and low emissions'. What was accomplished was an impressive blend of size, performance, comfort and serious good looks. A ‘hot' looking car, the Marauder is also ‘hot performing'. Founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, Mercury is an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company to market entry-level-luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles. The name Mercury was derived from ‘messenger of the gods' of Roman Mythology, and the Mercury brand was known for performance. This was briefly revived in '03 with the Mercury Maraurder. The name Marauder was used for different automobiles made by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company. The first generation of the Marauder was debuted from 1963 until 1965. This early Marauder was a V8-engined large automobile that debuted as a 1963 ½ model as a two-door 'fastback' hardtop version of the full-size Mercury. For 1964 the Marauder name was used to designate both two and four models of Mercury Montclair, Monterey and Park Lane utilizing a fastback roofline instead of the reverse-slant breezeway roof that had been introduced in 1963. This roofline was developed for both the Mercury Marauder and the Ford Galaxie for NASCAR competition. This may have helped with the many 1963-64 Ford Mercury victories. The choices of engine and transmission choices for these cars were identical to the big Ford which included 390 and 427 cubic-inch Thunderbird V8s, along with a choice of 3-speed or 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmissions. Much like items found in the Ford Galaxie 500/XL, Marauders also featured bucket seats, central consoles and other trim items. After 1965 the Marauder name was dropped. The engine designation of the Marauder did continue in 1966 and 1967 and could be found in other full-size Mercurys including the Mercury S-55. The second generation of the Marauder was debuted in 1969, and the Marauder became a distinct model. This second generation lasted for only a year and it competed in the personal luxury market. The base Marauder came with a 390 in³ engine while the Marauder X-100 usually came with a larger 360 hp 429 in³ engine. The more luxurious versions came with bucket seats with a floor console that housed a U-shaped automatic transmission shift handle, sporty Kelsey-Hayes stylized road wheels and finished with rear fender skirts. The Marauder was unique and carried its own look, with distinctive non-functional louvered side air intakes in the quarter panels and a tunneled rear window. The Marauder shared its front end and interior components with the Marquis, but the back end was all Marauder and not shared with anyone. Unfortunately the market for sporty full-size vehicles was disappearing and production was limited to around 15,000 cars for 1969 and barely a third of that for 1970. The third generation of the Marauder was introduced in 2003 until 2004. The name 'Marauder' was also used as the name of Mercury's 390, 410, and 428 in³ engines in the 1960s. The third generation had a wheelbase of 114.7 inches, a length of 212 inches, a width of 78.2 inches and a height of 56.8 inches. The Marauder was produced as a high-performance version of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan from 2003 until 2004. The Marauder of '03 and '04 targeted the 1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS though the Mercury division is most directly a competitor to Buick in being a contemporary full-size 'muscle sedan.' Based on an updated version of the Ford Panther platform, the Mercury Marauder had a naturally aspirated 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 that produced 302 hp and 318 ft/lb foot of torque. This engine had a variety of parts; including heads, cams, block and rotating assembly in common with the 2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 Automatic and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviators SUV. Featuring a dual exhaust system with unique tailpipe tips, custom designed chassis and suspension modifications, like moving the rear shocks outboard of the frame-rails which later was made available for the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis. In 2003 the Marauder was fitted with the 4R70W 4-speed automatic and received upgraded 4R75W 4-speed automatic for the following year. Borrowed from the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the limited slip differential with a 3.55 rear axle ratio along with the aluminum drive shaft. The Marauder borrowed trim parts from its Mercury and Ford friends. The headlights and corner lights were borrowed from the Grand Marquis and have all non-reflector surfaces blacked out and its grille was painted body-color rather than chrome. The side trim and B-pillars were painted body-color like the Crown Victoria, and the trunk panel was also borrowed from here, and tail lights which are tinted to just within DOT standards. Unique to the vehicle was the Marauder's front and rear bumper cover and the front featured Cibié fog lamps. The car's name was sported and embossed on the rear bumper. Mercury's classis 'god-head' or Mercury's silhouette emblem on its center caps were placed on the car's five spoke, eighteen inch wheels. The Marauder featured front bucket seats and a floor shifter with a center console, unlike the standard Grand Marquis. Unique and specific to the Marauder was the instrument cluster with the satin aluminum gauges and pressed electrical board. This, along with the tachometer is specific only to the Marauder. Borrowed from the Police Interceptor was the 140 mph speedometer head unit, but it came with a Marauder unique gauge face. The Mercury Marauder is the only Panther after 1997 that came with a specific pin on the PMC for a tachometer. Unfortunately the 2003-2004 Marauder sales fell short of the corporate forecasts, and after a production of just 11,052 cars, the Marauder was discontinued at the end of 2004. A total of 7,839 models were sold in 2003 and 3,213 sold in 2004. The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport remained though, and it wore a monochrome appearance very similar to the Marauder, but powered by the lesser 239 hp 4.6 L 2-valve SOHC V8. The LX Sport also came with smaller 17' wheels, taller 3.27 rear axle ratio, softer suspension among a variety of other mechanicals and cosmetic details unique to the Marauder. In 2008 the LX Sport would also be discontinued following a very short production run of 2008 model year cars. Also this year the Ford Performance Group began officially recognizing the Mercury Marauder. Source: Internet

2005 Mercury Meta One Concept

MERCURY META ONE CONCEPT ADVANCES FORD SAFETY TECHNOLOGY DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 11 - With a focus on accident prevention, Ford Motor Company is developing safety technologies that warn when a vehicle wanders into another lane and even apply the brakes if an accident is imminent. These technologies will be featured on the Mercury Meta One, Ford's most advanced scientific research concept ever displayed at an auto show. Much of the science of automobile safety has focused on passive restraints, or how to protect occupants during a crash. Ford is researching and applying active safety measures in production vehicles and concepts designed wîth the intention to prevent some accidents from occurring. One of these technologies, Ford's exclusive Roll Stability Control, will be on more than one-half million Ford Motor Company SÚVs by the end of 2005. Únlike any other system in the world, Ford's patented Roll Stability Control features roll-rate sensing and stability enhancing capability - offering assistance to the driver in maintaining vehicle control during extreme maneuvers. Ford also announced that the 2006 15-passenger E-Series wagon will feature the technology. At Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January, Ford Motor Company's Mercury Meta One concept showcases two additional active safety technologies wîth promise: Lane Departure Warning, and Collision Mitigation by Braking. Ford's Lane Departure Warning System is a technology in development that could help prevent a driver from unintentionally leaving his lane. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Ford's Lane Departure Warning is a mechanized vision system designed to recognize lane markings and a vehicle's lateral position to those markings. It can provide a visual, audible and/or haptic (vibrating) warning to the driver if the vehicle departs from a distinguishable travel lane without activation of the appropriate turn signal. In the concept car, a right lane departure triggers a vibration to the right side of the seat; a left lane departure spurs vibration of the left side of the seat. In Lane Departure Warning, vehicle position is evaluated by a camera system mounted behind the windshield that measures the lateral distance from the camera's center line to the left and right lane markings. The system works during the day or at night while headlights are in use. Naturally, the system does not warn the driver if the turn signals are used before changing lanes. The system is still under development for conditions without clear lane markings and overall system reliability. Ford's Collision Mitigation by Braking system is a technology in development that could help reduce speed in a frontal collision. Collision Mitigation by Braking (CMbB) Ford Motor Company's Research and Advanced Engineering group, in cooperation wîth researchers at the Volvo Safety Center, developed Mercury Meta One's Collision Mitigation by Braking or CMbB system to demonstrate how crash severity can be reduced. The system uses sensors that gauge an impending frontal collision and amplify the driver's braking and then automatically apply additional brake pressure to further reduce the vehicle's speed at impact. Depending on relative speed and other factors, every mile per hour that a vehicle is slowed before impact reduces the energy of a crash. CMbB applies automatic braking when it determines wîth certainty that a collision wîth another vehicle is unavoidable in both high and low speed situations. Importantly, the function assumes the driver has ultimate authority, and it will not interfere wîth any potential evasive maneuver initiated by the driver. Ford's CMbB pre-crash sensors consist of a camera and radar to sense vehicles on the road ahead and an electronic control unit (ECÚ), which determines whether a collision is imminent based on the position, speed and direction of other vehicles. Úsing estimates of collision threat and driver intent, the CMbB system provides driver warning and enhanced brake control when needed. Depending on speed and road factors, the braking can automatically reduce vehicle speed by five miles per hour or more before an impact. The radar and camera systems are under development so that the system works reliably in heavy rain, fog and other adverse driving conditions. 'Even a few mph reduction at impact can make a difference,' says Priya Prasad, Ford Technical Fellow, Safety Research and Development. 'The amount of energy at impact is a strong function of speed, so even a slight reduction in speed offers a significant reduction in force.' From Concept to Real World Ford has unveiled a number of advanced safety concepts at recent auto shows and later migrated them to production including: BeltMinder - a system that uses warning chimes to remind drivers to buckle up Personal Safety System - a comprehensive suite of safety features including crash severity sensors, seat weight sensors and dual-stage air bags Ford's Rollover Safety Canopy - a system using side curtain air bags that senses a rollover and keeps the air curtain inflated for up to 6 seconds About the Mercury Meta One Concept Meta One is more than a safety concept alone. Its name is derived from the Greek word 'meta,' meaning 'transcends' or 'goes beyond.' In the case of the Mercury Meta One concept, the name connotes the personality of the concept, which transcends the ordinary and the expected in a passenger vehicle. Not only does Meta One foretell the design vision for Mercury's future and suggest possibilities for future safety innovation, it also presents a world-first advanced powertrain plus enhanced electronics and personalization features. Meta One stretches the distinct sophistication of Mercury's design DNA. The brand's contemporary look is evident on the new Monterey minivan, Mariner SÚV and Montego sedan. (concept carz) Mercury will build a new crossover vehicle in 2007. Meta One explores adaptation of the Mercury design DNA to a crossover and gives a hint of what such a product could represent for the brand. A sketch is being released today. The concept vehicle and all of its advanced features will be unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in January. Source - Ford Media

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Mercury M-Series

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. Production 1946–1968 Successor Ford F-Series (1967–1972) Class Full-size pickup truck Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive Front engine, four-wheel drive The Mercury M-Series pickup truck was produced between 1946 and 1968 by Ford Motor Company of Canada, primarily for Canada. Early versions often came with a higher output (CM-1 designated) Mercury/Ford flathead V8 engine over and above the unique Mercury-specific grille, badging and trim that adorned every Mercury M-Series truck. The M-Series was introduced in Canada because smaller communities had either access to only a Ford dealer or a Lincoln-Mercury-Meteor dealer, but not both; a Mercury truck line offered more opportunities for truck sales. Pickup Trucks 1966 Mercury M-150 1949 Mercury M-Series Between 1948 and 1968, Ford of Canada used the "F" prefix for Ford and "M" for Mercury. From 1948-1950, nominal tonnage ratings were replaced by a series designation in which the numbers indicated the GVWR when equipped with tires of appropriate capacity. Each code number was arrived at by dividing the GVWR of the series by 100. Thus, an F-47 (M-47) indicated a GVWR of 4700 lbs. per axle or 9400 lbs. total for front and rear axles combined, F-135 (M-135) indicated 13500 lbs., etc. Each truck series was rated to its GVWR. In 1951-52, Ford of Canada got back in step with Ford USA with the F-1 (M-1), F-2 (M-2), etc. (GVWR = gross vehicle weight rating - weight of chassis, cab and body, plus payload) Other Mercury trucks 1965 Mercury Econoline EM-100 pickup Alongside the rebadged Ford F-Series pickup trucks, Mercury sold its own versions of the Ford medium-duty trucks, the B-Series bus chassis, and the C-Series cabover. The first generation of the Ford Econoline was also available as a Mercury. Source: Internet

Friday, October 5, 2012

Mercury Cars of the 1980's

The 1981 Mercury Lynx was Mercury's answer to the call for small cars. The early 1980's, and it sold respectably, racking up over 100,000 units in its first two seasons and about 85,000 a year thereafter. Like its sibling the Ford Escort, it started life with a three-door hatchback sedan and a neat five-door wagon in trim levels from plain to fancy. These were bolstered for 1982 by five-door sedans, a sporty three-door RS, and a posh five-door LTS (for Luxury Touring Sedan). Through mid-1985, Lynx was powered by the Escort's 1.6-liter "CVH" four, also offered in H.O. and turbocharged guises. In mid-1985, both of the latter were dropped and a normal-tune 1.9-liter enlargement took over. A 2.0-liter diesel four supplied by Mazda in Japan was also offered beginning with the '84s, though it attracted few buyers as gas prices fell in an improving national economy. Appearance was cleaned up for "1985 1/2" with a smoother nose and flush headlamps in line with Dear­born's strong turn to aerodynamic styling. An even ­sportier three-door, called XR3, bowed the following year. But here, too, Ford planners would conclude that one clone was one too many, though a falling dollar and lower offshore production costs also figured in the decision to drop Lynx during 1987. Taking over was the Mexican-built Tracer, a badge-engineered version of Mazda's similarly sized 323. Yet despite generating less than half of Escort's volume in most years, the Lynx can be judged a success, as it rung up crucial business for L-M ­dealers during some very difficult times. The same holds for Mercury's compacts and intermediates of this decade. For 1981-82 these comprised the familiar (and largely unchanged) Zephyr line and a new upmarket Cougar sedan series, both built on the proven rear-drive vintage-1978 "Fox" platform. Weighing some 350-400 pounds less than the Monarchs they replaced, these Cougars were twins to Ford's redesigned 1981 Granadas. Styling was similarly squared up and more formal than Zephyr's, appropriate for the higher prices. Though the origins of these models were obvious, there was evidently some magic left in the Cougar name. Between them, Cougar and Zephyr netted well over 80,000 annual sales for 1981-82, not bad considering the sorry state of the market. Mercury did somewhat better by replacing the Fox-platform Cougars with a midsize Marquis for 1983. This was yet ­another Fairmont/Zephyr variation, but its cleaner styling was a big improvement, even if it looked rather too much like the downsized 1983 LTD that took over for Granada at Ford. Still, the name link with a full-size Merc didn't hurt, and Marquis sales by 1984 totaled some 108,000, half again as much as the previous Cougar series. To avoid confusion, the biggest Mercurys were renamed Grand Marquis after 1982, one of their few important changes during the entire decade. Not that many changes were needed. Roomy, quiet, and comfortable, they remained traditional V-8 American family cruisers whose sales rebounded strongly once the economy began to recover and an oil glut pushed gas prices down to more-reasonable levels. Chrysler Corporation and the Buick, Olds, and Pontiac divisions of GM lent a helping hand by canceling most of their old rear-drive biggies by 1985, leaving the Grand Marquis all but alone in the medium-price full-size field. Grand Marquis thus journeyed through the 1980's with only the barest of updates. Two-door coupes were dropped after 1985, the mainstay four-door sedan and wagon gained smoother noses and tails for 1988, and fuel injection replaced carburetors on the 302-cid V-8, but that was about it. Once their original 1979 tooling was amortized, the big Mercurys (and Fords) became the darlings of corporate accountants and dealers alike, earning more profit per unit than any other model in the line. Con­su­mers kept on buying despite the lack of change. Grand Marquis sales totaled nearly 96,000 for 1983, over 148,000 for 1984, then 110,000-160,000 each year all the way through 1989. Obviously, the "Big M" still offered what a lot of folks wanted.