Although September sales data showed a return to favour of larger SUVs and trucks after fuel prices began to fall, Ford’s US Mercury brand is making sure it is ready for ‘downsizers’ by updating its Mariner small SUV – originally launched in 2005 based on the Ford Escape/Maverick/Mazda Tribute – with a full restyle inside and out.
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The revised 2008 model reaches US dealer showrooms early in 2007. Apart from fresh sheet metal with new Mercury design cues and a remade interior, the rival for the likes of Honda’s just-redesigned CR-V is updated with a comprehensive safety package, a quieter ride and more refined driving dynamics.
Mercury said the latest Mariner enters the market at a time when customers are looking for smaller SUVs that still deliver on the attributes demanded of a traditional SUV, such as four-wheel drive, a commanding seating position, towing capability and good cargo capacity.
Although billed as a ‘redesign’, the new model is more of a significant update rather than a clean-sheet approach. New sheet metal includes redesigned front/rear fascias, tailgate (liftgate), headlamps and tail lamps, a raised beltline, new bonnet (hood) and B-pillar blackout moulding. There’s also a unique satin waterfall grille, now a Mercury styling trademark seen on other new models.
The previous model’s body-colour moulding and lower body cladding have been removed to give a cleaner look. Tail lamps have four inner lenses and a clear lamp with a red inner lens. The so-called ‘powerdome’ hood has a unique reverse crease that draws the eye from the grille toward the windshield.
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By GlobalDataA new roof panel helps reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Recessed channels on top of the vehicle are designed to improve air flow over the vehicle. Designers discovered that if they tweaked the size and position of the channels, they could affect NVH “in a very positive way”.
Horizontal ribs in the roof also strengthen body structure and help reduce boom from wind noise while larger mirrors that improve rear visibility have been carefully tailored to reduce wind noise.
The new Mariner will be offered with two trim levels: the well-equipped Mariner and the up-level Premier (years ago this was the top trim level for Australian GM Holden models) that adds bright machined 16-inch aluminium wheels (with optional chrome-clad 17-inch wheels), optional satin inserts on the roof rack, leather seats, a power driver’s seat, dual automatic temperature control and body-colour mirrors.
Inside, satin pewter finishes and chrome accents give the 2008 Mariner an upscale look. There are new seats, door trim panels, A- and B-pillar trims, centre console and a new floor-mounted shifter. The seats are monochromatic or two-tone with Alcantara suede inserts.
The 2008 Mariner is the first Mercury vehicle to debut three innovative interior features.
– A “top of dash” display positioned at eye level on the dashboard shows inside and outside temperature, radio functions and climate control readouts. When the driver or front passenger adjusts a knob or button on the instrument panel, the change is reflected in the eye-level display instead of lower down on the dashboard where information is typically located. This simple, efficient design puts much of the vehicle’s information in one place at the top of the dashboard, making it easier to read while driving.
– Ice blue lighting replaces green for what Mercury said is “a cool, crisp, easy-on-the-eyes light for night driving [that] enhances the overall quality feel of the interior”.
– Replacing the traditional “brick” design for the radio and heating/air conditioning controls, the new Mariner features dials and buttons that ‘poke-through’ the centre console. The instrument panel houses audio and climate controls, a standard MP3/iPod jack, controls for the heated seats and optional in-dash navigation system. The result is a more integrated, more finished look.
The console has two removable bins with dovetail mounting points on the front passenger side or rear of the console. The medium-sized bins can be used as a trash receptacle, an extra place to put a music player, or an additional storage space.
The centre console is large enough to hold a laptop computer, and there are three levels of storage space. The bottom storage level features a ‘secret’ compartment that goes nearly to the floor of the vehicle so owners can hide valuables like a digital camera or purse.
The storage area behind the second row of seats has a newly available rear cargo management system. Lifting the rear cargo area carpet reveals a hidden, lockable place to store items – it’s a second “wet” trunk to keep snorkeling gear or wet beach towels away from dry bags or clothes. The rear cargo area carpet is also reversible with an easy- clean rubber surface underneath.
The Mariner is one of the first Ford group vehicles to feature one-touch integrated start. This lets the driver put the key in the ignition, turn it once and then let go – like electronic “start” buttons that are becoming common on luxury cars.
It is also one of the first Ford vehicles to use speed-sensitive electric power steering (EPS), a system that improves overall steering feel and is more efficient than conventional systems.
Suspension and braking has been revised and numerous NVH-reducing measures taken. Example: the alternator moved to the other side of the transverse engine, shifting this noise source further away from the passenger compartment.
Compared with the previous model, the 2008 Mariner is 12% quieter on the highway and 20% quieter in high velocity cross winds, the automaker said.
Engines remain a standard 153hp 2.3-litre, 16-valve I4 and an optional 200hp three-litre, 24-valve V6. Both come with a four-speed-automatic transaxle and two- or four-wheel drive is available.
The Mariner Hybrid – introduced with the equivalent Ford Escape a year or so back – continues with a 2.3-litre DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor. The petrol engine produces 133 horsepower and the electric motor 70 kw. The net result is 155 horsepower with 0-60 times comparable to a 200 horsepower V6 engine and a boost in city-driving fuel economy of nearly 75%. This combo has a continuously variable transmission.
For the 2008 hybrid, engineers revised software in the control system to improve transparency, or the transition between petrol and electric operation. The transition from all-electric to petrol power to a combination of the two is now more seamless and virtually imperceptible to the driver. The four-wheel-disc regenerative brakes have also been retuned to provide better feel. With the new model, the hybrid will be available for the first time with a choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive; previously it was 4WD only.
Safety equipment updates mean the Mariner is one of the first 2008 model year vehicles designed to meet the upgraded, phase II federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for front- and side-impact collisions.
All non-hybrid 2008 Mariners will come standard with Advance Trac with RSC, a Ford -exclusive roll stability control and active safety system.
This is claimed to offer a significant difference, when compared to typical electronic stability control systems designed to control yaw or spinout only, and can enhance the vehicle’s resistance to rolling over.
Most systems use one gyroscopic yaw-rate sensor as they work to control yaw. AdvanceTrac with RSC uses a second gyroscopic roll-rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s body roll angle and roll rate. If this roll-rate sensor detects a significant roll angle, the system applies additional countermeasures – such as applying brakes to one or more wheels or reducing engine power – to enhance vehicle rollover resistance.
Ford is making the technology available to other companies and automakers through licensing agreements.
