Get a hold of Automobile

The newest 1967 Cougar combined style and performance, and you will Mercury states they tried to reach that goal exact same harmony whenever developing which current generation design with side-wheel drive.

Design Lineup

Several motors come. The bottom system is the Zetec, a 2.0-liter double above-talk, 16-valve inline-4 ranked at 125 horsepower and you can 130 base-weight off torque. Elective are a 2.5-liter dohc, 24-valve Duratec V6 ranked in the 170 hp and you can 165 foot-weight out of torque.

You could potentially tell and therefore engine the vehicle provides because of the deciding on brand new wheels and you will rims: Six-spoke sixteen-inch rims come with the newest V6 model, five-spoke fifteen-inches rims incorporate the 4-cylinder model. A back spoiler features new V6, but could be removed getting a good $235 borrowing; it is a great $235 alternative towards the 4-tube.

Ft Cougar comes with air conditioning, 15-inch aluminium tires, power window, fuel doorway hair, power height-varying chair and you can Was/FM/cassette stereo. The game V6 solution boasts the latest spoiler, 16-inch rims, disc brakes, fog lighting fixtures, recreation seating, high-level slim, and you will a leather-covered controls and shift knob. A benefits group contributes cruise handle, buttocks automatic washer therefore the advanced stereo. An automated transmission exists just towards the V6 design. Possibilities become front airbags, Abs and traction manage, a sunroof, and you may an in-dashboard Cd player.

Walkaround

Using its catlike headlamps and you can capturing lines, this new Cougar turns out nothing else on the go. This coupe possess smooth, cut counters outlined by clean retracts and you will evident intersections. Areas of so it vehicle looks like it actually was cut having a beneficial sharp blade, given that butt fender was round, and you may reminiscent of the newest Lexus South carolina. It car also offers some nice outside details: Short triangles let you know the location on jerking circumstances. Top indicators play the role of turn indicators so you’re able to alert drivers nearby.

Cougar appears able to own large speed and you may winding courses. A portion of the cause for it is its apparently much time wheelbase with European-build short overhangs.

Interior Possess

This new exterior’s The fresh Border college of structure is actually sent in to the having a capturing arc one to surrounds the fresh new driver’s domain. It’s a highly useful ecosystem that’s funny toward eye. Stylish products feature light wide variety into a dark gray records. Switchgear appears higher-technical which can be highly useful. Sturdy bullet heavens ports feature private included into/off switches.

The leading container seating try organization and you will supporting. Getting in right back is not difficult as well as the rear buckets was truth be told comfy. Scooped away chair bottoms render a good headroom, while you are room according to the front side chairs brings manageable legroom. Still, this really is zero sedan. No body need to drive for an extended time of energy straight back indeed there.

Driving Impressions

Cougar offers truth be told a approaching and you can solid stability at the price while the I found in the Path Atlanta, an excellent gutsy higher-rate street-race circuit for the northern Georgia. No place try that it alot more apparent than from the entry to make dos, a somewhat slow technology place with regards to body personality. This new change-for the area for it right-hand part is at the top a hill that’s immediately preceded because of the a quick kept. We crested this new hill topped call at third resources. Because the car was cresting this new mountain, the fresh new suspension system try unloaded and there’s nothing pounds to the wheels – a difficult place for easy braking. However, quite hard braking is required to sluggish the automobile and you may it’s easy to braking system far too late and you can take after dark change-during the area. Stopping and you will flipping at the same time is definitely problems and it is really challenging into suspension system unloaded. It’s not hard to spin the vehicle in this situation.

Nevertheless Cougar sensed dependable during the change-in the section, allowing me to open new V6, plunge along the slope or take the second band of large-price curves flat-out. In contrast, a past-age bracket Mitsubishi Eclipse GS experienced uncertain therefore 2, hence shorter exit speed in the part. An excellent Saturn SC2 considered outright rough, although it handled rather well. From high-rates transforms, the new Cougar is the new Rock out-of Gibraltar. Its direction provided ideal end up being as compared to almost every other a couple of vehicles and you will the newest suspension provided more control.

Cougar’s platform is dependent on the fresh new Ford Shape and Mercury Mystique, however, flights towards a wider tune – the distance amongst the correct and you will remaining wheels – and you will uses a much tighter suspension to help you please enthusiast drivers. A rigorous chassis, sturdy anti-move bars, and you can higher-price springs are made to promote approaching. Specifically customized engine mounts are created to reduce looks. Pounds shipping are . The leading suspension system uses MacPherson struts which have coil springs minimizing A-palms. The trunk is actually a beneficial Quadralink program that have brace-method of coil springtime/dampers and inactive butt direction.

The newest racetrack do so is accompanied by a lengthy great time through the mountains north out of Atlanta the spot where the Cougar clung with the roadway particularly a cat holding so you’re able to a forest. The Cougar sensed at your home on hills and you can seemed appropriately entitled truth be told there. Its stability provided count on if you find yourself the clean dealing with and you may brisk throttle effect advised saturated driving. New brake system, which use rotors borrowed on large-results SVT Ford Profile, performed as opposed to fade-in spite of frequent difficult explore.

My personal impressions had been reinforced seven days later, where Cougar’s direct direction and really-updated suspension system aided they slice cleanly thanks to a tight autocross course close Baltimore. In contrast, an enthusiastic SC2 appeared to collect pylons, and also the energy steering push on an Eclipse GS couldn’t keep up with direction enters from slalom.

The bottom Cougar is actually an extremely capable automobile that encourages competitive riding. Ford’s cuatro-tube Zetec system brings a reaction from the roadway speeds. That it system weighs less than the brand new V6, hence improves the balance of auto.

Nevertheless, it appears an embarrassment to buy good Cougar with no wise Duratec V6. Simple and you will advanced if you’re cruising, it gives off a pleasurable growl when riled. Although it does not supply the Cougar the new strike off a keen Acura Integra GS-R otherwise Honda Prelude SH, it may maintain these sport coupes toward northern Georgia’s mountainous routes. Only don’t get spoke to your a pull competition for pink slides since you might beat. Low-speed and reputation-begin acceleration is right, however, passage energy is very good. Top rates try projected during the 137 mph, but i haven’t attempted one.

The simple-shifting 5-rate guide gearbox are recommended well to your V6, having rates one match the latest torque of system. I suggest it. The fresh five-speed automatic was created to promote effortless progressing and to shed searching for equipment whenever traveling down and up much time levels.

Realization

Operating fans in the market for an activity coupe is to just take a close look on Cougar V6. Individuals who want an appealing, standard coupe can’t go wrong towards 4-tube model. They are both valued aggressively so you can compete with respective designs from Japan.