Discover Car
The 1967 Cougar combined build and gratification, and you may Mercury says they tried to achieve that same equilibrium when creating that it newest generation design having top-controls push.
Design Roster
Several motors are available. The base engine is the Zetec, a 2.0-liter double above-chat, 16-device inline-cuatro rated during the 125 hp and you may 130 foot-weight from torque. Recommended is a 2.5-liter dohc, 24-device Duratec V6 rated from the 170 horsepower and 165 base-weight off torque.
You could share with hence motor the auto provides of the considering the latest tires and rims: Six-spoke sixteen-inches rims include the fresh V6 model, five-spoke fifteen-inch rims come with brand new 4-cylinder design. A straight back spoiler comes standard with the V6, but may feel erased getting a $235 credit; it is good $235 option into 4-cylinder.
Foot Cougar is sold with cooling, 15-inches aluminum tires, strength screen, strength door locks, fuel level-varying chair and you may In the morning/FM/cassette music. The sport V6 alternative boasts this new spoiler, 16-inches rims, disk brake system, fog lighting fixtures, sport chair, high-top slim, and you may a leather-wrapped tyre and you can move penis. A convenience category adds sail control, rear washer while the premium music. An automatic alert is present merely towards V6 model. Choice are front airbags, Abs and grip control, a sunroof, and an in-dashboard Cd member.
Walkaround
Having its catlike headlamps and you may capturing lines, this new Cougar turns out nothing else on the go. So it coupe features easy, toned counters laid out by the brush retracts and sharp intersections. Parts of which vehicle looks like it was toned that have an effective sharp knife, just like the bottom fender are rounded, and you may similar to the fresh Lexus South carolina. This car also provides particular sweet external info: Small triangles reveal the spot towards the jerking things. Front markers play the role of change signals so you’re able to aware motorists across the street.
Cougar appears able having higher speeds and wandering roads. Area of the reason for this is exactly its relatively long wheelbase which have Eu-layout brief overhangs.
Indoor Provides
The exterior’s The fresh new Line college regarding design is actually transmitted into the with a capturing arc one border this new driver’s domain name. It is an incredibly useful ecosystem that is entertaining on the vision. Stylish products feature light number toward a dark gray record. Switchgear appears higher-technology which is extremely useful. Strong round heavens outlet ability private provided to the/away from switches.
Leading bucket seating try agency and you can supporting. Getting back in straight back is simple while the butt buckets try truth be told safe. Scooped away seat bottoms give a headroom, if you find yourself space within the front seating brings in balance legroom. Nevertheless, this is no sedan. No body may wish to journey for an extended period of your energy back here.
Operating Thoughts
Cougar now offers contrary to popular belief an effective approaching and you will solid balances during the price because I discovered at Highway Atlanta, a beneficial gutsy highest-price path-rushing circuit within the north Georgia. Nowhere was this significantly more visible than from the access to turn dos, a somewhat slow technical spot in terms of body figure. The newest turn-into the point because of it proper-hands place was at the top a hill which is immediately preceded because of the a fast kept. We crested the new slope topped in third equipment. Because the auto are cresting the latest slope, brand new suspension is actually unloaded and there is little lbs with the tires – an emotional spot for effortless stopping. However, fairly hard braking is required to sluggish the automobile and you can brake far too late and you will take at night change-into the section. Stopping and you will flipping meanwhile is definitely a challenge and it’s most difficult on suspension unloaded. You can spin the car in cases like this.
However the Cougar thought reliable during the change-in the section, allowing me to open up this new V6, plunge on the mountain and take the following gang of highest-rate contours flat-out. In comparison, a previous-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse GS considered undecided consequently 2, hence reduced get off price on the corner. A good Saturn SC2 experienced outright crude, although it treated rather well. From high-price transforms, the Cougar is actually new Material off Gibraltar. Their direction considering best become as compared to most other a few autos and new suspension system considering additional control.
Cougar’s program lies in this new Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique, but trips into the a greater song – the length between the correct and you may leftover wheels – and you may uses a significantly tighter suspension system to excite partner people. A strict body, firm anti-move bars, and you will high-rate springs are created to boost handling. Particularly designed system brackets are made to minimize sounds. Lbs shipment try . The leading suspension system spends MacPherson struts with coil springs and lower A-hands. The trunk try an effective Quadralink system that have brace-type coil spring season/dampers and you may passive rear direction.
New racetrack do it was followed by an extended great time from slopes north from Atlanta where in fact the Cougar clung on road for example a cat hanging so you’re able to a tree. The fresh Cougar felt home from the mountains and you will appeared appropriately called here. Its balance considering rely on while you are its clean dealing with and you will brisk throttle reaction recommended saturated driving. The fresh new brake system, which use rotors lent in the highest-efficiency SVT Ford Profile, performed instead of fade in spite of frequent difficult use.
My thoughts was in fact reinforced a week later, where in actuality the Cougar’s appropriate steering and you will better-updated suspension aided they slice cleanly because of a tight autocross way close Baltimore. In contrast, an SC2 did actually assemble pylons, while the strength steering push on the an enthusiastic Eclipse GS couldn’t match steering inputs through the slalom.
The beds base Cougar are a very able to auto one to encourages competitive driving. Ford’s cuatro-cylinder Zetec motor brings an effective response on path speed. Which motor weighs less than brand new V6, which enhances the harmony of vehicle.
Nevertheless, it looks a pity to acquire an effective Cougar with no intelligent Duratec V6. Smooth and advanced level when you are driving, it produces a pleasurable growl when riled. While it does not allow the Cougar the brand new strike regarding an Acura Integra GS-Roentgen otherwise Honda Prelude SH, this may maintain both of these recreation coupes to the north Georgia’s mountainous routes. Simply do not get spoke to your a pull battle getting pink slides as you might treat. Low-rate and reputation-start acceleration is right, however, passageway electricity is superb. Ideal rate is projected at the 137 miles per hour, but i have not experimented with you to definitely.
Brand new easy-moving forward 5-rate guide gearbox try ideal well on V6, that have ratios that fit the latest torque of the motor. We highly recommend it. Brand new four-speed automated was designed to offer easy shifting in order to eliminate hunting for items whenever travelling down and up much time levels.
Summation
Driving enthusiasts in the market for a hobby coupe is always to grab a close look in the Cougar V6. People who wanted a nice-looking, simple coupe can’t go wrong on cuatro-tube model. They are both listed aggressively so you can take on particular activities off The japanese.