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Mercury Cougar VIII 2.5 V6 24V (173 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Mercury Cougar:
The Mercury Cougar is a series of automobiles that was sold by Mercury from 1967 to 2002. The model line is a diverse series of vehicles; though the Cougar nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various stages in its production, the model also was offered as a convertible and a hatchback. During its production as the mid-size Mercury line, the Cougar was also offered as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.
In production for 34 years across eight generations , the Cougar is second only to the Grand Marquis in the Mercury line for production longevity. 2,972,784 examples were produced, making it the highest-selling Mercury vehicle. During the 1970s and 1980s, the marketing of the Mercury division was closely associated with the Cougar, with promotional materials advertising Mercury dealers as "The Sign of the Cat" with big cats atop Lincoln-Mercury dealer signs. Cat-related nameplates were adopted by other Mercury lines, including the Bobcat and Lynx....(Read more on Wikipedia)
VIII Overview:
Mercury Cougar (VIII). With 224 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11.8 l/100km). With a weight of 1375 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 10.5 s). The top speed reaches 220 km/h. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Mercury Cougar VIII was not officially tested by Euro NCAP. As a North American market-focused vehicle, its safety ratings would typically fall under NHTSA or IIHS standards, which are not provided here. Expect basic safety features for its era, including ABS and airbags.
2.5 V6 24V (173 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The automatic transmission dulls the V6's potential, leading to noticeably slower acceleration and a less engaging driving experience compared to the manual.
Fuel Economy
Fuel consumption is expected to be higher than the manual version, especially in urban settings, making it less economical for daily use.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Distinctive 'New Edge' styling stands out.
- • V6 engines offer smooth and capable performance.
- • Comfortable ride for a coupe.
- • Spacious interior for a 2+2 coupe.
- • Good value on the used car market.
Cons:
- • Automatic transmission significantly dulls performance.
- • Fuel economy, especially with V6, can be high.
- • Rear visibility is somewhat limited.
- • Some interior plastics feel cheap.
- • Limited aftermarket support compared to other Ford platforms.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(VII (XR7): 1989 - 1997).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mercury |
| Model: | Cougar |
| Generation: | VIII |
| Modification (Engine): | 2.5 V6 24V (173 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1998 |
| End of production: | 2002 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 3 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 173 Hp @ 6250 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 68 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 224 Nm @ 4250 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | Duratec More details about the engine Duratec |
| Engine displacement: | 2544 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 5.5 l |
| Coolant: | 9.5 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 82.4 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 79.5 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.7:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 11.8 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 8.1 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 10.5 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 10.5 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 220 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 7.9 kg/Hp, 125.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 6.1 kg/Nm, 162.9 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 10 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1375 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 410 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 60 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4700 mm mm |
| Width: | 1770 mm mm |
| Height: | 1320 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2700 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1505 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1490 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 205/60 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 15 |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Spring Strut |
What’s the best feature of the Mercury Cougar? Tell us in the comments!