The Mercury Mountaineer is a midsize SUV (SUV) sport utility vehicle sold by Mercury from 1996 to 2010. Share many features with Ford Explorer, the vehicle is almost identical in terms of hardware. Externally, they are laid out somewhat differently, and Mountaineer is positioned with more luxurious interiors, with MSRP Mountaineer coming in at $ 1,000 - $ 6,000 more than Explorer. It was last redesigned for the 2006 model with a new frame, looking very similar to the previous model.
Some controversy came after the media highlighted a number of rollovers involving Explorers and Mountain Climbers fitted with Firestone tires. The Mountaineer has been praised for its exceptional handling and stability. The Mountaineer was never sold in Canada. As part of the merger of the Mercury brand, Mountaineer production ends at the end of 2010.
Video Mercury Mountaineer
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In 1991, General Motors introduced the sport utility vehicle Oldsmobile Bravada, which comes from a four-door Chevrolet S10 Blazer. Although the price is much lower, Bravada is marketed as a lower-cost vehicle than the Range Rover (and Land Rover Discovery) and Toyota Land Cruiser. While sharing his body with the Blazer, Oldsmobile differentiates Bravada with the use of trim-specific models and dedicated powertrain all-wheel drive (in part-time four wheel drive). For 1993, Jeep briefly revived the long-running Grand Wagoneer signature as part of the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup, using interior woodgrain trim and leather interior; limited sales led to its cancellation after a single model year.
In response to Bravada and Grand Wagoneer, Ford introduced Ford Explorer Limited in 1993. Unlike the Eddie Bauer Space Explorer, Limited is directed to driving on the road; it is equipped with all-wheel drive in place of traditional four-wheel drive. The Limited is also distinguished by monochromatic body trim, bodybuilding bumper, and chrome wheels.
As part of the Explorer's redesign for 1995, Limited remains part of the Explorer range, with this segment gaining additional competitors through the use of badge techniques. For 1996, the Acura SLX (Isuzu Trooper), the Infiniti QX4 (Nissan Pathfinder), and the larger Lexus LX450 (Toyota Land Cruiser) were introduced together.
Because these brands, together with Oldsmobile, compete more directly with luxury brands than Ford models, Ford Motor Company is trying to develop an SUV for its Lincoln-Mercury division. To minimize the overlapping model, Mercury was chosen to sell a medium-sized version of Ford Explorer, while Lincoln will be selling an upcoming full-size Ford Expedition version.
Maps Mercury Mountaineer
First generation (1997-2001)
Mercury Mountaineer was introduced in April 1996 as a 1997 model. Like the Ford Explorer Limited, Mercury Mountaineer is only offered in a four-door body configuration. After the first year, Mountaineer sales did not reach Lincoln-Mercury's sales projections. After several revisions in 1997 and 1998, Mountaineer will continue to be the third best selling vehicle in the Mercury division, behind only Sable and Grand Marquis.
Body
At its launch, Mercury Mountaineer is the closest to its performance with the Ford Explorer XLT, though it is trimmed between Explorer Eddie Bauer and Explorer Limited. To distinguish it from his Ford counterpart, Mountaineer is styled with a different gray dark body color scheme; while visually similar to Explorer, Mountaineer adopted the chrome waterfall grille styling of the Grand Marquis. While the model-specific rear lights, rear hatch and bumper are shared with the European-exported version of Explorer.
As part of the revised 1998 model, Mountaineer was given a special grille of models and headlights, larger wheels, and a new rear hatch design.
Chassis
The 1997-2001 Mercury Mountaineer shared a four-door Ford Explorer chassis, after a 1995 redesign. Although heavily reliant on the first generation Ford Ranger, the sport vehicle is more spacious and is based on a separate wheelbase. Like the Ford Explorer, Mountaineer comes with an independent wishbone front suspension.
For 1997, Mercury Mountaineer is equipped with a 215hp 5.0L V8 with 4-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the Ford Explorer, Mountaineer is available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; part-time four-wheel drive is not available. For 1998, 205hp 4.0L V6 was added as an option.
Crop
The first generation Mercury Mountaineer is introduced in a single trim level, offering many optional features from Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer and Limited as standard. For 1998, Mercury introduced a V6 engine version of Mountaineer to expand its price range. Although it includes a different powertrain, Mercury opted to offer the same features in both versions. Second generation (2002-2005) Second generation (2002-2005) >
For the 2002 model, the second generation Mercury Mountaineer was introduced as a partner of third generation Ford Explorer. Judged by the concept vehicle at the Los Angeles 2000 Car Show, Mercury Mountaineer 2002 marks the introduction of a new design language for the Mercury line, with stylistic elements later appearing at Mercury Monterey, Mercury Mariner, Mercury Montego, and Mercury Milan; along with a silver waterfall lattice and silver taillamps-trimmed.
As part of the redesign, Mountaineer is further differentiated from Explorer; while sharing the same roof and door lines, many of the lower sheetmetals are different, with Mountaineer having different front fenders and hoods, front and rear bumpers, liftgate, and taillamps.
Sharing the chassis with third-generation Ford Explorer, Mountaineer is equipped with four-wheel independent suspension. Sharing its 4.0L predecessor V6, the second-generation Mountaineer also comes with a choice of 4.6L V8 Explorer engine, with four-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive powertrain; 5 speed automatic transmission is standard.
In line with other Mercury models, Mountaineer evolves from one trim level to the comfort trim and Premier deluxe trim; placed above Explorer Limited, Mountaineer Premier offers features including a rear TV/DVD player, rear-facing air vents, chrome exhaust tip and roof rack, and body color bumper.
Third generation (2006-2010)
For the 2006 model year, Ford redesigned its mid-size SUV. Although its U251 platform is completely new, Mountaineer's third generation follows its predecessor's success by retaining almost all its exterior, unlike Explorer. For 2006 Mountaineer, the exterior redesign featured all-white taillamps, signal repeater on front fenders, larger wheels, satin silver trim on side and bumper side mirrors; Mercury logo on grille and truck tubs enlarged.
Since the termination of the Lincoln Aviator left Mountaineer as the top nameplate of Ford's mid-size SUV lineup, much of the redesign attention has focused on interior trims and features to further differentiate it from Explorer Eddie Bauer and Limited.. Brought from the Lincoln Aviator is a choice of DVD-based navigation system with voice control; the system will not be available in Explorer until 2008. As an option, power retracting running boards (as seen on Lincoln Navigator) are new features.
Like all Mountain Climber since 2001, 210HP 4.0L SOHC V6 is the standard engine. As with Explorer, 292 hp 4.6L Modular 24-valve V8 is an option. V6 Mountaineer uses 5-speed 5R55W automatic transmission. For the V8 model, Ford developed a new 6-speed transmission based on the ZF design; 6R is automatically installed for all V8 Explorers and Mountaineers.
During production, this generation saw relatively little functional changes. In 2008, side curtain airbags became standard. Outside, the letter "MOUNTAINEER" has been removed from the front door. Due to reliability issues, running boards that are unplugged are not continued. For 2009, the Mountaineer version that was configured for pullers was upgraded as a standard made trailer sway control. To save fuel for drivers, the navigation system is updated, including monitoring of traffic flows and direct renewal of gasoline prices from nearby service stations. For 2010, Ford MyKey is added as a standard feature on all trim levels; it is a programmable security system designed for vehicles owned by many drivers.
Termination
Following the June 2010 announcement by Ford Motor Company to rule out Mercury brands, 2010 will be the end of Mountaineer production; the last vehicle was produced on October 1, 2010. Unlike Milan, Mariner, and Grand Marquis, Mountaineer was not produced for the 2011 model year short. The third best-selling vehicle of this division in 2000, Mountaineer was the best-selling Mercury ten years later.
Firestone tire controversy
In May 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Ford and Firestone about the high incidence of tire failures in the first generation of Mercury Mountaineers, the first and second generation Ford Explorers, and the 3-door Mazda Navajo equipped with Firestone tires. Ford investigated and found that some models of 15-inch Firestone tires (381 mm) ( ATX , ATX II , and Wilderness AT ) are extremely failure rates high, especially those made at Firestone's Decatur, Illinois plant. To this day Ford Motor Company refuses to equip any vehicle they sell with Firestones. Individuals can still opt to buy aftermarket tires though.
Awards
- Exception Class Exclusive Stability Control System (RSC).
- Consumers Learn to Purchase the Best for 2006 and 2007.
Sales
References
External links
- Mercury Mountaineer homepage (2006) on archive.org
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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