The XM-800 Dream Car  was a four passenger coupe.  The profile of this car foreshadowed the 1956 Lincoln, but the grille was an early interpretation of the 1957 Mercury car line.  The XM-800 featured a pearlescent white and copper exterior. 

  Built by Ford Mercury in 1953-55 and used as a rolling laboratory. Prototype Y block motor XY-3, fully cast fiberglass body, first opening rear electric window. The colors on it are original colors as is the interior design. Restored such that the original build quality was not compromised. Used in a number of movies, including as a trick car by Jerry Lewis    

http://www.theguildofautomotiverestorers.com/55concept.html

  1956 XM Turnpike Cruiser was designed with fast, long driving in mind. It was inspired by the greatly expanding Interstate Highway System.  A lot of the design elements were later seen on the regular production model 1957 Turnpike Cruiser.  The transparent roof panels flipped up when the doors were opened.  The design of this car greatly influenced the 1959 Mercury automobiles.  The car is now located somewhere in California waiting for a total restoration. 

  This photo shows a "1958 Mercury Olympian", which was never produced. This prototype was revised and became the 1958 Park Lane.  The photo is one from a whole set of prototype Edsel and Mercury promotional stills recently found.

  This is the earliest known use of the Cougar name on a vehicle. This Cougar 406 (also known as the Cougar I) was unveiled at the 1962 Chicago Auto Show.  It had a 102" wheelbase, 406 CID power, and the gullwing doors were electric.

from CoolCats.net

  Although Mercury no longer made a two-door station wagon, this concept car demonstrated the possibilities of the hardtop design on a newer body style.  The third row rear seat elevated and a second windshield popped up to allow a "yacht-like" view for rear passengers.  The name was borrowed from Mt. Palomar Observatory.

  The 1963 Cougar II prototype car was a styling concept to test the waters for a Ford 2-door sporty coupe. The car borrows heavily from the 1963 Corvette...ironic since this was to be a "Corvette Killer" with 427 power. There were two Cougar II prototypes made, both of which still exist. The fastback was loaned to the Petersen Auto Museum in LA several years ago sporting a non-functional 289 engine. The roadster is still at the museum in storage in Michigan.

from CoolCats.net

  1964 Comet Super Cyclone had a back window similar to the production Plymouth Barracuda.  Notice the rectangular headlights and chrome racing wheels.

  1964 Mercury Super Marauder was created by the legendary customizer George Barris for Mercury.  It was powered by a 427 V8 and featured side-mounted exhaust pipes and a chopped windshield.  The overall length was cut eight inches, and the wheelbase shortened four inches from the production Marauder.

  Mercury Montego was another show car for 1964.  No info available, but the Montego name was used on production car by Mercury later.

  Mercury Park Lane 400 was one of the cars in the show car fleet for 1965. It offered cornering lights, rectangular headlights and different side trim from the regular production model.  The traditional steering wheel was replaced by two rings that surrounded the wrists of the driver.  Ideally, the car could be turned with only a "twist of the wrist," but in practice it proved more cumbersome than planned.  Ford built five 1965 convertibles, and 10 1966 convertibles for testing.  The cars accumulated over 100,000 miles. 

  This dream car was a high-performance roadster.  George Barris customized this Comet in six weeks.  The car was shortened sixteen inches and featured custom sheet metal, sequential turn signals, white leather interior, and pearlescent blue paint.

  Mercury Astron was derived from a Park Lane 4-door hard top. It offered partial vinyl roof, C-pillar opera windows, and fender skirts. The body side trim was wider, and the car had no outside door handles. Unique headlamp bezels and hidden park light made the front of the car look different.  The highlight of the car was a glass panel roof, similar to the 1954-55 Sun Valley models, but able to change tint to provide shade.  The rear window could retract into the roof similar to the older Breezeway models. 

  This concept featured a trunk lid that opened from the side to allow curb-level loading and protection from traffic.  It also featured twin sunroof sections (similar to a T-top) and rectangular headlamps.

  The Super Spoiler cut the roof off of the production Cyclone and replaced it with a built-in roll bar.  There were four bucket seats, and Marauder X-100 taillights.  Notice the "duck tail" spoiler blended into the body.

  Sporting a bold lime green paint job, El Gato (Spanish for "The Cat") was produced as a styling exercise for a futuristic-looking Cougar. Note the shaved door handles, chopped roof, and ultracool three-spoke 16" wheels with new-at-the-time Goodyear Polyglass radials. To say this Cat was before its time would be a serious understatement.

While the front end merged styling from both the Cougar and the GTO, it still projected an evil stance. Note how the limited flat black striping ends inside the molded-on hood scoop. Also, the front and rear pans were rolled---a very advanced looking feature in an era of chrome bumpers. This was the first ever fastback Cougar.

At the rear, LTD-style taillamps were broken at the left by the racing-style gas filler cap. The square center-exit exhaust tips lent a very unique air to the car. Are those vents on the trunk? It is not known if El Gato still exists but it's presumed to have been destroyed (standard Ford practice for show vehicles at the time).

from CoolCats.net

Specifications: 

     Engines available: Super Cobra Jet 429; Boss 429.  Transmission: Toploader 4-speed manual; C6 automatic.

Facts:

     An aerodynamic design for NASCAR racing, the only surviving prototype.  A change in NASCAR rules against the Chrysler Daytona and Plymouth Superbird gave Ford reason to kill the development of these interesting cars.  Three cars survive today.

  Related Cars:

     Ford Torino King Cobra

See Also:

     http://www.torinocobra.com/king_cobra.htm

  The Sportshauler started life as a Cyclone and was refitted with a hatchback trunk lid.  Inside the trunk area, a six wheel off road vehicle was stored.

  While most concept cars looked forward to the future, Mercury went backward in time with the bright yellow XM, a two-door concept which re-introduced the rumble seat, an open-air design from the 1930's.  Though basically a two-seat vehicle, the rear hatch could lift upward into the deck, and a rumble seat would emerge, transforming the car into a four-passenger vehicle, with the rear occupants receiving fresh air.

1980 Mercury Anster

  Weighing in at 1,200 pounds, Mercury's Anster concept was an aerodynamic electric car for use in urban metropolis areas.  The composite body was made from injection-molded plastic and the large black bumpers contained energy-absorbing foam.  Among the Anster's features, the most notable were the electronically operated sliding doors, scientifically-contoured inflatable seat cushions, and an on-board road map display which took up the entire dashboard on the passenger's side.  However, the main feature of the fuel-efficient Anster was the unique hybrid-electric power system.  Two power cells provided DC power to all four wheels, and a compact power generator continuously recharged the energy cells.  As a safety measure, the Anster's dashboard could continuously display the calculated average distance required to stop under the vehicle's current operating conditions.  Like many modern cars, the Anster could help the driver pick the most direct route on the navigational system.  However, unlike modern satellite technology, the computer was programmed by  map cassettes which were required to run the computer.

  The Concept 50 had clean cab-forward styling resembling that of the 1989 Ford Probe production vehicle.  The 102.6 inch wheelbase, 177.4 inch length, and the 50.6 inch height were also similar to the 1989 Probe.  Created as a two-door hatchback, the Concept 50 was intended for 18-30 year-olds or young, two-income couples.  Features included a small multi-valve V6 engine and all-wheel-drive.  The five-spoke wheels resembled those of the 1989 Ford Thunderbird and the 1990 Mercury Cyclone concept car.

  In 1990, Ford commissioned ASC to create this one-off Cougar XR7 convertible. Admittedly Ford did this to test the potential of having a convertible added to the line-up of Cougars. While it would have provided Ford with a much-needed answer to Oldsmobile's Cutlass Supreme convertible, the XR7 convertible probably had way too small of a niche to be feasible.

  Minor fender, A-pillar, rear deck and windshield modifications were necessary to create the droptop Cat. Note the modified seat belt pillars (similar to the Pontiac Sunbirds of the era) on the doors. Also, some type of side skirt is evident, perhaps to hide some subframe or other structural reinforcements.

from CoolCats.net

  High performance features and the highest-quality luxury features were wrapped into the dramatic design of Mercury's Cyclone concept specialty car of 1990.  Among many features of the Cyclone was an electro-chromic glass roof which could be changed electrically from transparent to opaque.  A closed-circuit television system was used to provide the driver with rear vision rather than conventional side mirrors, which would interrupt the car's smooth lines.  The cameras angled outwards from behind the front wheel, in the place of signal lights.  Presented at the 1990 Chicago Auto Show, the Cyclone also utilizes a thin fiber-optic headlight system which improved vision while driving at night.  From all angles, the Cyclone appears extremely aerodynamic for a four-door passenger vehicle, especially from the early 1990's.

  The Mystique was Mercury's first mini-van, with a name used on the 1995 compact production car.  Wall-to-wall headlights and fiber-optic taillights were integrated into the smooth-flowing aluminum-frame body.  The Mystique concept was powered by Ford's prototype T-Drive V8 engine connected to an centrally-mounted transmission.  Flexibility of front-wheel, rear-wheel, or four-wheel drive was obtained with the T-Drive.  The glass roof incorporated liquid-crystal technology which automatically darkened the roof in bright sunlight.  The passenger seat backs were fitted with individual television screens and VCRs for rear passenger entertainment.  

Developed and constructed at Ford's California Concept Center, the Fusion was based on a small front wheel drive platform and was conceived to meet the needs and aspirations of two widely different markets: young people and active retirees.  The Fusion was designed to blend the toughness of a mini sport utility with the attributes of a passenger car.  The design concept was unique in that the rear window and quarter glass were both removable and the rear portion of the roof incorporated a folding fabric sunroof.  When the Fusion sunroof opened the entire rear was open to the air, though pillars remained in place.  The exterior was primarily finished in matte gray plastic cladding for ruggedness and easy maintenance.  The body's upper area and roof were finished in sparkling metallic dark blue paint which carried over to the interior's exposed tubing seat frames.  "Tubing" is the interior's motif, with the seats, instrument panel, and center console all built around tube framing.

  "Mercury takes on a new L'Attitude - The Mercury L'Attitude, a concept car that combines the practical spaciousness and refinement of a family wagon with the robust off-road capability and fun-to-drive aspects of a sport utility, makes its world debut at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

Mercury L'Attitude is a new breed of vehicle intended to suit the needs of today's dynamic lifestyles.

"The Mercury L'Attitude is a fresh interpretation of a family adventure vehicle," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Motor Company vice president in charge of Mercury. "It takes some of the best features of the current Mercury Sable wagon, such as design flair, precision driving dynamics, plus excellent interior comfort and space, yet stretches the envelope by giving the vehicle a definitive off-road look and feel."

The innovative tailgate design is one of the vehicle's most prominent features. A molded spare tire well has been designed into the center of the tailgate, which frees up cargo space inside the vehicle. The tailgate and window open as a single unit from the side, providing drivers easier access to the spare, which stores about waist high.

The round outline of the spare storage compartment and the tailgate's integrated bumper contribute to the rugged look of a sport utility vehicle. The compartment's lower half drops below the load floor, and with the tailgate open, a circular depression is created in the bumper.

Three step pads along the depression allow easy access to the roof. The roof also can be reached from two exposed step wells built into either side of the lower bumper, which allow access without opening the tailgate.

The theme of versatility and flexibility is carried over into the roof system. The roof consists of a three-panel glass sunroof system from Rockwell International. The front and middle panels operate as dual sunroofs that can be raised for venting or slid back to an open position. A roof rack system extends the length of the roof and uses two sliding crossbars that stack in the back when not in use.

In keeping with the L'Attitude's adventure theme, rear seat passengers can stand with the middle panel open for photography or getting a better view of the great outdoors. Camera mounts equipped with Nikon cameras have been added to enhance the vehicle's versatility.

High-intensity discharge headlamps, marker lamps and rear taillamps increase visibility at night. Projector beams located below the headlamps direct high-beam light long distances for off-road use. Sweeping neon turn signals, consisting of two horizontal neon tubes in the rear and a u-shaped neon tube in the quarter panel, illuminate more quickly and with more intense color than conventional bulbs. This allows the turns signals to stand out from the brake lights making them more visible to the other motorists. A chrome-plated grille boldly accentuates the vehicle's Mercury heritage.

L'Attitude's off-road ability is improved by the 17-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in custom-cut Goodyear tires. The large wheels and tires help to give the concept wagon its purposeful stance and are housed beneath accentuated wheel flares.

Olive-pearl metallic paint gives the L'Attitude a sophisticated air. The 3.4-liter, V-8 SHO engine provides refined power to cope with performance demands on the street or off-road.

Interior flexibility is a main theme of L'Attitude. The backs of the taupe leather rear bucket seats fold forward to further extend the rear cargo space, and the bottoms lift and lock in an upward position to expose a flat observation platform. Passengers can stand comfortably on this floor space with the middle roof panel fully open.

To keep up with the active lifestyles of Mercury drivers, L'Attitude is equipped with a portable Apple Newton global positioning system navigational unit housed in the front console. It offers a map display, directional guidance, a telephone dialing device and mobile office capabilities.

Side air bags join the list of safety items on the L'Attitude, which include slow-speed impact-resistant bumpers, dual air bags and side door beams."

Ford Press Release

  The MC2, on the surface, was just another concept car from Mercury. However, it was really a thinly disguised front-drive 1999 Cougar. Styling was hailed as "New Edge", a moniker that stuck with the 1999-2002 Cougar. It was almost the anti-aero Cougar: a very strong wedge shape with harsh sculpts instead of rounded edges. In a word, it was truly fresh for its time.

  It's been speculated that MC2 stands for Mercury Cougar, Second Generation. Need proof? Check out the grille emblem.

  Not only did the MC2 have the nearly identical side sculpting to the production 1999-2002 model, but the rear also made it virtually intact, save for a smoother bumper cover. The triangular door handles survived as well.

  The MC2's interior featured plenty of nickel plating and unique shapes. Nothing made it to the production car, though, since a lot of it would be impractical.

  A cool feature on the MC2 was its venting glass roof panel. While this function's quality would be nearly impossible to create in mass production, it looks absolutely trick on the show car.

  Here is the MC4 (left) joining the MC2 (right). The MC4 is a pure Mercury show car of no real relation to the MC2, aside from the New Edge styling. Of note are its smaller side doors that suicide out, similar to the Saturn SC-2. It had been rumored that this feature would be introduced on the front-drive Cougar but that never came to pass.

from CoolCats.net

(my) mercury Concept
DETROIT - If you think the name is odd, take a look at this strange-looking "segment-buster" from Ford's Lincoln-Mercury Division. The (my) mercury Concept is dubbed "a multi-activity vehicle that blurs the boundaries between a car, a truck and a sport-utility vehicle."

Blurry might be the best way to look at this five-door, five-passenger all-wheel-drive concept. It appears that J Mays, Ford VP of design, didn't use up all of his ideas for VW's New Beetle before coming to Ford, because the curved-arch roofline of his (my) mercury concept certainly mirrors the Bug's. That wouldn't necessarily be bad, if it weren't for the fact that the rest of this vehicle's design is a mishmash of angles and edges, creases and curves.

Built off the same platform as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique, (my) mercury sports a set of center-opening, suicide-style doors on each side and a fixed roof made of two amber glass panels. Access to the rear cargo area is via a combination of upward-opening hatch and a flip-down tailgate that can pull out like a drawer to expand the floor area before locking flat for loading stuff. The rear bucket seats fold forward for even more cargo-carrying ability.

Inside, (my) mercury features a center console up front that houses a mouse-like ball which controls the sound system, climate controls and integrated global positioning system -- displayed on a screen mounted in the center of the dash. Mid-mounted speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauges are supposed to make it easy for Mercury to build both left- and right-hand-drive versions for different global markets -- as if enough buyers could be found to warrant worldwide sales.

We know that Ford is planning at least two hybrid-style multi-activity vehicles to be built off of this platform after the Contour/Mystique cars are dropped next year. Thankfully, the Ford version looks somewhat like a conventional mini-ute. But if Mercury's production version looks much like the (my) mercury concept, then the marketing folks better get on their horse trying to draw Gen-Xers and free-thinkers into Mercury showrooms real soon.

Mr. Mays must not have noticed all the balding guys with the lime-green pants and white loafers still filling Mercury showrooms across America to kick tires on Grand Marquis sedans. Mercury may have moved its headquarters to California, and hired some guy whose first name is merely the letter "J" with no period after it to design some of their cars, but the division's image-rebuilding process hasn't gone far enough to draw enough young buyers to this concept.

My, my. (my) mercury? My goodness, no!

from Edmunds.com
 

Mercury Marauder
LOS ANGELES--Mercury was pulling all sorts of tricks from their sleeves today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, showcasing performance in an atypical manner for this stoic marque. The big news, and we do mean big, was Mercury's interpretation of the full-size muscle car. Using the best-selling car in Florida as a starting point, this Grand Marquis-derived sport sedan would undoubtedly send a shudder of disbelief through most buyers of Lincoln-Mercury's full-size sedans. Although it may still look like a golf-course cruiser, the Mercury Marauder is anything but.

Mercury retains their ubiquitous 4.6-liter V8 engine as the heart and soul of the Marauder, but force feeds it energy-inducing oxygen through a K&N air filter and Ford SVO supercharger. The Marauder also gets a dual 2.25-inch exhaust, which exit through polished three-inch tips, reducing back pressure at the rear of the car. The resulting 300 horsepower would be enough to make most drivers forget that the Marauder began life as a Marquis.

The Marauder is about more than raw power, however. Mercury improved the car's handling by adding Edelbrock Performance IAS shocks, bigger sway bars, Enkei SST-2 alloy wheels, and Pirelli P-Zero performance tires. The improved motion control is designed to give the car sportier handling, while the big tires should improve the Marauder's ability to stay planted to the road.

Interior enhancements include sporty gauge faces, a floor-mounted gear selector and leather sport seats.

Mercury officials likened the Marauder to the chopped and shaved Merc coupes of the early '50s. We think the Marauder is more similar to the dearly departed Chevrolet Impala SS, the last true full-size sport sedan sold in the United States. Frankly, we don't care who is right; we would just like to see a car like this back on the market.

from Edmunds.com

  With Mercury’s new Gametime Villager concept, any stadium is a tailgate party in the making. Whether at the alma mater’s homecoming, an outdoor concert, family reunion or kid’s soccer game, Mercury’s concept Gametime Villager will be the center of attention.

  Villager is a natural for tailgate-type activities, and the Gametime concept vehicle takes the theme to an extreme. Mercury designers incorporated a wide range of ideas into the vehicle, and many of the modifications are readily available from aftermarket sources.

  The starting point for the Gametime concept was a 1999 Villager, powered by a 3.3-liter SOHC V-6. Exterior styling is altered with the addition of new front and rear fascias and bolder body-side cladding. The front fascia features a lower air opening and recessed PIAA fog lamps. A distinctive vertical bar grille insert with a "Flying M" emblem sustains the Mercury identity.

  Not one, but two sliding canvas sunroofs from Hollandia provide additional ventilation and are perfect for sunny days. The rear liftgate features a fitted tent canopy to provide a little protection from the elements on those classic fall football days. To pull in those away games, there’s a retractable satellite dish that stows easily for travel. The exterior of Gametime Villager is covered with a coat of high metallic Cabernet Red paint.

  Gametime Villager has been lowered slightly with a set of Roush Racing springs at all four corners. Hand-cut 235/50R18 Michelin concept tires are mounted on TSW Hockenheim-R 18-inch alloy wheels. Dual DynoMax exhaust tips add a performance flare to the custom exterior treatment.

  As you might imagine, the inside of Gametime is something special. The plush surroundings are trimmed with two-tone leather, and the seats are embroidered with Mercury logos. Naturally, there is also plenty of interior storage room for tailgating essentials like an ice chest, collapsible picnic table and chairs, and a BBQ grill.

  Perhaps the most unique aspect is the built-in rear entertainment module that features side-mounted stereo speakers, ice bucket, humidor, storage and integrated DVD player. The video feed from either the DVD player or the satellite dish can be viewed on the plasma 21-inch flat panel monitor, which is built into the module.

  Pregame, postgame or any time in the great outdoors is the perfect time to enjoy Gametime Villager concept from Mercury. It’s a tailgate party waiting to happen.

Ford Press release

  LAS VEGAS, Nov. 2, 1999 – Powered by auto show visitors’ excitement over the Mercury Cougar Eliminator and the Cougar S concept cars, which debuted at the 1998 SEMA and Los Angeles Auto Shows, the California-based automaker today announced it will build a limited-production, high-performance 200-horsepower street-legal Cougar S for the 2000 model year.

  The Mercury Cougar S combines a sporty, performance-enhanced free-revving, 2.5-liter V6 engine with a unique suspension optimized for agile handling. The result is a car that is exceptionally responsive and rewarding to drive.

  "The inherent capabilities in the chassis and New Edge looks of the Mercury Cougar make it a natural choice for a performance derivative to attract serious driving enthusiasts," says Bob Rewey, Group Vice President for Ford Motor Company Marketing and Sales.

Increased power and upgraded suspension

  For the Cougar S, the power output of the 24-valve V6 Duratec engine is increased from 170 to 200 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm. The Duratec V6 provides 170 ft.-lbs. of torque @ 5,500 rpm. To add to Cougar’s performance, cylinder heads, camshafts, intake manifolds and the exhaust system have all been tuned to develop extra power and torque.

  To handle the extra power, the car’s suspension has undergone a comprehensive retuning, to deliver outstanding levels of handling. Overall stiffness has been substantially increased, with measures including the adoption of a larger rear stabilizer bar, while re-balancing of all the suspension elements ensures ride comfort is not adversely affected. To suit the character of the Mercury Cougar S, steering response also has been sharpened, with the emphasis on providing greater on-center feel. As a result, the steering responds more directly to driver inputs, contributing further to the car’s performance appeal.

Exciting Styling

  Sports styling details complete the high-specification package, including a blue background to the instruments. More supportive leather-covered seats are standard with an embroidered "Cougar S" logo. The driver's seat has six-way power adjustment. Cougar S is available in black, red and silver exterior.

  The limited-production 2000 Mercury Cougar S will go on sale in the spring of 2000.

Ford Press release

  The Eliminator strengthens the critically acclaimed styling of the Cougar with bold interior changes and performance enhancements. One of the primary goals of the Eliminator was to use off-the-shelf aftermarket high-performance components, so new Cougar owners could replicate many of the modifications. It is equipped with a 300hp 3-liter 24 valve inter-cooled supercharged engine, 18 inch aluminum wheels, a body kit, suspension and brake upgrades.

  A new convertible concept debuting at this year's Chicago Auto Show points to future possibilities for Mercury and for the all-new 2003 Mercury Marauder four-door performance sedan that goes on sale this summer.

  The Marauder Convertible builds on the popularity of the sedan, which is designed to deliver a 1960s muscle car experience with contemporary driving dynamics, comfort and safety.

  It is designed to be like no other vehicle:
· Its supercharged 335-horsepower V-8 delivers more horsepower than any other full size convertible priced less than $85,000.
· It is a five-passenger convertible. All other convertibles on the market today only seat two or four passengers.
· Rear seat room is generous. At approximately 38 inches, the convertible's rear seat legroom is the same as Marauder sedan's.
· While true to its American muscle car heritage, it is thoroughly modern - with low emissions, cutting-edge safety and driving dynamics that balance comfort with control.

  The 2003 Mercury Marauder sedan goes on sale this summer. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. At this time, the convertible is purely a concept, but public reaction will be closely monitored to gauge whether sufficient demand exists to justify a full development program.

  "Since the day we began work on the first Marauder concept, everyone on the team knew we were building a car for customers who were like ourselves - total gear heads who remember what it was like to drive cars that made you feel like you owned the road," says Steve Babcock, Marauder project manager. "I think the Marauder Convertible may be the ultimate car because it has the performance we remember, the comfort and roominess of a Mercury sedan, and nothing but open sky when the top is down."

What's Special About It?
Mercury is returning to its roots — the name Mercury used to stand for stylish, powerful cars that most middle-class car buyers could afford. The Messenger is exactly what its name suggests. It is sending a clear message about Mercurys to come. The Messenger is nothing less than the most exciting, best-looking Mercury since the '67 Cougar. Like the Cougar from days gone by, the Messenger is sure to share some underpinnings and drivetrain with the next Mustang.

While heritage or retro styling is all the rage these days, the Messenger is thoroughly modern and uses only subtle hints of Mercurys from yesteryear. The steeply raked rear window gently gives way to a small deck lid which houses large LED taillights. Did I mention the Cougar? Well, the Messenger revives the Cougar's sequential brake lights and turn indicators. The stacked front-end treatment is to be a distinct design element on the next generation of Mercury vehicles.

The Messenger is rear-wheel drive with 18-inch wheels up front, and 19s out back. Under the hood is an all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 and that motor should be good for more than 300 horsepower.

Why Should You Care?
The Messenger is simply a beautiful car and comes off more like an affordable Maserati than Mercury. Ford's 4.6-liter V8 in a rear-drive two-seater should provide plenty of driving fun. — Brian Moody    

from Edmunds.com

  Mercury's Meta One is a concept sport wagon that showcases the future of Ford's safety technology. It's packed with advanced safety equipment designed to both protect and prevent accidents. A lane departure warning is engineered to warn the driver when the vehicle veers outside of the lane markings, using either a visual, audible or vibrating alert. New Collision Mitigation by Braking technology will react on the driver's behalf, applying the brakes when the system's sensors and cameras detect that an impact is imminent. The Meta One also uses roll stability control, a feature expected to be offered on more than 500,000 Ford SUVs by the end of the year.

  Beyond its safety image, the Meta One is designed to appeal to a younger buyer. Interior features include a Wi-Fi portal, a Sirius satellite receiver for streaming video and a smart navigation system which provides live traffic information to quickly navigate local highways and byways. And as if cutting-edge high-tech features aren't enough, there's also a twin-turbo diesel-electric hybrid V6 engine boasting 431 pound-feet of torque to entice the green car crowd.    

from Edmunds.com

The Milan Voga was targeted to the Hispanic market with special options and features.

  This is an artist's conception of what might have been Mercury's version of the Ford Freestyle, to be called the Magellan.  Ford was rumored to be dropping the Freestyle and offer this vehicle as a Mercury-only edition.