| Specifications:
Longitudinal
front-engine/rear-wheel drive. Transmission: AOD
(1980-92) four-speed automatic with overdrive, five-speed manual available in
1989-1990, AODE (1993-95) four-speed automatic with electronic overdrive lockout;
4R70W four speed automatic 1996-up. Wheelbase: 113.0"; weight
3575lbs.; unit-body construction; length 199.9". Built in USA. 5 Stars
NHTSA crash test rating.
|
Engines |
Size liters
/
cu. in |
Horse- power |
Torque |
Transmission:
EPA city/hwy |
|
OHV V6 |
3.8 / 232 |
140-145 |
215 |
4-speed
automatic: 19/27 |
|
Supercharged
OHV V6 |
3.8 / 232 |
210 |
315 |
5-speed
manual: 17/24
4-speed automatic: 17/23 |
|
OHV V8 |
5.0 / 302 |
200 |
275 |
4-speed
automatic: 17/24 |
|
OHC V8 |
4.6 / 281 |
205 |
280 |
4-speed
automatic: 17/25 |
Facts:
Two-door rear-wheel-drive luxury sport coupe on the
MN12 chassis.
1992 25th Anniversary and 1997 30th Anniversary editions. All Cougars
from 1993 and up were XR-7's. Re-designed in 1999 as a two-door
front-wheel-drive sports coupe. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes came
standard on the XR7, but were optional on the LS. The Cougar competed with
the Buick Riviera and Regal, Chrysler LeBaron, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Oldsmobile Toronado
and Cutlass.
The Mercury Cougar got a clean-sheet redesign for 1989, and saw no major changes
for 1990. As before, the new Cougars differed from the mechanically similar Ford
Thunderbird primarily in their formal roofline and Mercury grille. A
140-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 and 4-speed overdrive automatic came standard in
the base LS. For the premium XR7, Mercury added a supercharged and inter-cooled
version of the overhead-valve V6, which delivers 210 horsepower and 315
pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with either a 5-speed manual or
optional automatic. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes came standard on the XR7,
but were optional on the LS.
1991:
The supercharged V6 engine and 5-speed transmission have both been dropped from
the powertrain lineup for 1991 and replaced with Ford's 5.0-liter High Output
V8, also used in the Mustang and Lincoln Mark VIII. The engine comes standard on
the performance-oriented XR7 and optional on the Cougar LS. Exterior detail
changes include a revised hood, grille, headlamps, and tail lamps, plus new side
molding. 1992:
The 1992 XR7 hit the showrooms with new alloy wheels and a freshened interior
that includes new seat and door trim. In addition, the parking brake is now
activated by a floor-mounted pedal instead of a console-mounted lever. To mark
the 25th anniversary of the Cougar a special LS model arrives midyear, equipped
with a distinctive monochromatic color scheme, the H.O. 5.0-liter V8, BBS
aluminum wheels, and special trim.
1993:
For 1993, all Cougars are listed as XR7 models. However, Mercury has purposely
de-emphasized Cougar's former performance image by dropping most of the XR7
model's sporty equipment. The surviving model is equipped much like last year's
LS. Both the adjustable suspension and performance tires on last year's XR7 are
gone, while the antilock brakes and limited-slip axle are now optional.
1994:
Dual airbags join a new 4.6-liter V8 in the revamped 1994 Cougar. While a
de-contented XR7 with a 3.8-liter V6 remains the standard offering, the optional
V8 is now Ford's new all-aluminum overhead-cam V8, providing 205 horsepower when
applied to the 1994 Cougar. The 4-speed automatic remains the only transmission,
but gains new electronic shift controls. Also added to improve handling is an
optional traction control system. Mercury has made minor appearance changes to
the car's grille, front and rear fascias, headlamps, and tail lamps.
1995:
Following four model years with nearly constant changes, the Cougar enters the
1995 model year with no significant changes.
1996:
New front and rear fascias have been added, plus a new hood, necessitated by the
addition of a smaller, more rounded grille and new headlamps equipped with
complex reflectors. The headlamps now taper at the inside edges to blend better
with the new grille. Under the hood, the Cougar's standard 3.8-liter V6 receives
significant changes, resulting in a new output of 145 horsepower. The optional
V8 has also been improved. While horsepower remains constant, torque is up 15 to
280 pound-feet at 3000 rpm.
1997:
An all-new instrument panel has a new gauge cluster with graphics on a black
background. In addition, a new dual cup holder, coin slots, and more storage
were added to the revised center console. Finally, a new "one-touch open" switch
comes with the optional moon roof. The rear-drive Cougar was discontinued this
year. A new front-drive version appeared in 1999.
Related Cars:
Ford Thunderbird Lincoln
Mark VII, VIII
See Also:
60's Cougar
70's Cougar
80's Cougar
1999-02 Cougar
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