Specifications:
Transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel
drive.
Wheelbase 98.4"; sedan weight 2469 lbs, wagon 2532 lbs; unit-body
construction; length 174.7" sedan, 172.7" wagon. Built in Mexico. 4 Stars NHTSA
crash test rating.
|
Engines |
Size liters
/
cu. in |
Horse- power |
Torque |
Transmission:
EPA city/hwy |
|
OHV I4 |
1.9 / 114 |
88 |
108 |
5-speed
manual: 31/38
4-speed automatic: 26/34 |
|
DOHC I4 |
1.8 / 109 |
127 |
114 |
5-speed
manual: 25/31
4-speed automatic: 23/29 |
|
OHC I4 |
2.0 / 121 |
110 |
125 |
5-speed
manual: 28/37
4-speed automatic: 26/34 |
Facts:
Mercury's sub-compact front-wheel drive car,
available in four-door sedan and station wagon on the CT20 platform.
Design updated in 1991 and again in 1997. Dual airbags were standard
and antilock brakes were optional. Trim levels include GS, LS, and LS
Sport Wagon.
Mercury's entry-level car, the front-drive Tracer, received a compete makeover,
along with its Ford sibling, the Ford Escort, in 1991. The Tracer was available
as either a 4-door notchback or 4-door wagon. Power for base models came from an
88-horsepower, 1.9-liter 4-cylinder. Standard on the highline LTS was a
dual-overhead-cam, 1.8-liter 127-horsepower 4-cylinder. Both came paired with
either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, as does the alternate engine.
1992:
The Tracer returns essentially unchanged for 1992.
1993:
Chassis changes included the addition of a larger front stabilizer bar, LTS-like
grille, and new wheel covers. LTS sedans get a new one-piece rear spoiler with
integrated high-mount stoplight, while wagons can specify a power lock for the
rear lift-gate. Finally, all Tracers get new tail-lamps, new seat and door trim,
plus revised instrument-cluster graphics.
1994:
Driver-side airbags became standard equipment on all 1994 Tracers. But in order
to maintain compliance with federal passive restraint laws, the passenger side
still featured a motorized shoulder belt/manual lap-belt arrangement.
1995:
An all-new instrument panel for 1995 included a passenger-side airbag for all
Tracer models. Despite the twin airbags, the Tracer retained the motorized
shoulder-belt/manual lap-belt setup for front-seat passengers. Other features of
the new instrument panel included revised climate controls and a more powerful
air-conditioner system.
1996:
The only significant change for 1996 was the addition of new 100,000-mile
platinum-tipped spark plugs.
On sale in the
summer of 1996 as an early '97 model, the redesigned Tracer continued as
Mercury's smallest model. The subcompact got a new engine, new styling, and a
fresh interior. Wheelbase was unchanged, however, at 98.4 inches. Except for
some distinctive styling touches, Tracer was a clone of the Ford Escort. Dual
airbags were standard and antilock brakes were optional. The revised dashboard
featured an "integrated control panel" at its center, like those used in the
Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus to house the climate and audio controls. Sole
engine was a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, rated at 110 horsepower, with 5-speed
manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic.
1998:
Except for newly de-powered airbags, only minor changes were evident this
season, such as a larger central console.
1999:
Minor changes for 1999 included addition of an interior trunk release and a
standard remote-entry/antitheft system to the LS. Tracer then faded out of the
Mercury lineup.
Related Cars:
Ford Escort Ford Escort ZX2
Mazda 323 Mazda Protege
See Also:
80's Tracer
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