Mercury Mariner
Encyclopedia
The Mariner Hybrid powertrain
is identical to its sibling
, the Ford Escape Hybrid, and it was launched to the U.S. market in 2006.
Like the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Mariner Hybrid is a "full" hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Mariner's hybrid system uses regenerative braking, where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. With 155 hp, the Mariner Hybrid has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional 200 hp V6 Mariner. Again, just like the Escape Hybrid, it gets a respectable average of 34 miles per US gallon and is sometimes said to be the most fuel efficient sport utility vehicle
on the road.
. Its custom features include:
There have also been several undisclosed security modifications made to the vehicle.
used by the previous generation.
The changes included a new seats, headlights, taillights, a new liftgate, a higher beltline and new doors and wheels.
The interior was also significantly updated with higher quality materials and more refined features.
The engines remained the same but the 3.0 L Duratec V6 has been modified to reduce fuel consumption by 10%.
Mariner and its Ford Escape sibling were the first vehicles to feature Ford's pull-drift steering compensation, an enhancement made possible by applying software control to the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
The first 2008 Mercury Mariner was unveiled at the South Florida International Auto Show on October 6, 2006 and was touted as a new direction for the Mercury brand.
, the new powertrain improved the EPA fuel economy by 1 mile per gallon and increased power by 11% to 170 hp. Also, the existing 3.0-liter Duratec V6 was bumped from 200 hp to 240 hp.
The new engine was also the new basis for Ford's hybrid models, including the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. “For every eight Escape and Mariner vehicles we sell, one of them is a hybrid, and the appeal is growing,” says Sue Ciscke, Ford senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
option on all of them which features being able to use E85 fuel and/or regular unleaded only on the optional V6 engine. Ford has also done away with the Euro-style turn signal repeaters for this model year.
as a standard, but continued with the same features as the 2010 models. This version of the Mariner was its last, as Ford discontinued the Mercury brand due to declining sales. Ford ended production of the Mariner in October 2010.
The last one rolled off the assembly line on October 5, 2010
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
is identical to its sibling
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
, the Ford Escape Hybrid, and it was launched to the U.S. market in 2006.
Like the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Mariner Hybrid is a "full" hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Mariner's hybrid system uses regenerative braking, where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. With 155 hp, the Mariner Hybrid has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional 200 hp V6 Mariner. Again, just like the Escape Hybrid, it gets a respectable average of 34 miles per US gallon and is sometimes said to be the most fuel efficient sport utility vehicle
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
on the road.
Presidential Edition
On September 7, 2006 Ford delivered a special "Presidential Edition" Mercury Mariner Hybrid to former President Bill ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
. Its custom features include:
- LED lighting
- A 110-volt outlet
- Rear bucket seats
- Center console & rear seat fold-out writing desks
- Personal DVD players for each seat
- Refrigerator
- Increased rear seat legroom
There have also been several undisclosed security modifications made to the vehicle.
Second generation
For the 2008 model year the Mariner was significantly updated with a new look although it remained on the Ford CD2 platformFord CD2 platform
The Ford CD2 platform is an automobile platform for crossover SUVs. It is the basis for the Mazda Tribute, Ford Escape, and Mercury Mariner, and was jointly developed by Mazda and Ford. The design is based on Mazda's GF platform, used by the Mazda Capella/626.CD2 is a front wheel drive platform...
used by the previous generation.
The changes included a new seats, headlights, taillights, a new liftgate, a higher beltline and new doors and wheels.
The interior was also significantly updated with higher quality materials and more refined features.
The engines remained the same but the 3.0 L Duratec V6 has been modified to reduce fuel consumption by 10%.
Mariner and its Ford Escape sibling were the first vehicles to feature Ford's pull-drift steering compensation, an enhancement made possible by applying software control to the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
The first 2008 Mercury Mariner was unveiled at the South Florida International Auto Show on October 6, 2006 and was touted as a new direction for the Mercury brand.
2009 changes
The 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner were unveiled at the 2008 Washington Auto Show. Sporting a 2.5-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission that replaced the four-speed automatic transmissionAutomatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, the new powertrain improved the EPA fuel economy by 1 mile per gallon and increased power by 11% to 170 hp. Also, the existing 3.0-liter Duratec V6 was bumped from 200 hp to 240 hp.
The new engine was also the new basis for Ford's hybrid models, including the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. “For every eight Escape and Mariner vehicles we sell, one of them is a hybrid, and the appeal is growing,” says Sue Ciscke, Ford senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
2010 changes
For the 2010 model year, the Mariner added Ford's MyKey and trailer sway controls as standard on all trim levels. The Mariner engine has a Flex-FuelFlexible-fuel vehicle
A flexible-fuel vehicle or dual-fuel vehicle is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol fuel, and both fuels are stored in the same common tank...
option on all of them which features being able to use E85 fuel and/or regular unleaded only on the optional V6 engine. Ford has also done away with the Euro-style turn signal repeaters for this model year.
2011 changes
For the 2011 model year, the Mariner featured HD RadioHD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
as a standard, but continued with the same features as the 2010 models. This version of the Mariner was its last, as Ford discontinued the Mercury brand due to declining sales. Ford ended production of the Mariner in October 2010.
The last one rolled off the assembly line on October 5, 2010
Awards
- Consumers DigestConsumers DigestFounded in 1960 and published by Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, Consumers Digest is an American magazine. The magazine is a horizontal-based consumer products review periodical. Commentary and editorial features are published as well. This includes items of consumer interest, new products,...
best buy for 2005, 2006, 2007. - Mercury Mariner Hybrid was awarded 2006 Green Car of the Year.
Sales
| Calendar Year | American sales |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 7,171 |
| 2005 | 34,099 |
| 2006 | 33,941 |
| 2007 | 34,844 |
| 2008 | 32,306 |
| 2009 | 28,688 |
| 2010 | 29,912 |