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Mercury Montego Review

March 2005
Filed under: MERCURY Car News | MERCURY Headlines

Overview


The innovative 2005 Montego midsize sedan offers Ford's industry-leading safety technology, along with modern new powertrains that combine performance with fuel economy. Its European-inspired chassis delivers crisp, responsive handling.
Montego's premium interior is roomy and sophisticated with flexible seating and cargo storage capability that set new standards for midsize sedans. A spacious, second row and new-to-the-class "high-package" seating position provide unprecedented passenger comfort and reinforce the driver's commanding view of the road.

Montego takes its place at the top of the midsize-sedan segment. Offered in Premier and Luxury trim levels, Montego's distinctive exterior design, contemporary, roomy interior and available features like all-wheel drive are expected to attract new customers to Mercury showrooms.

Design


Design cues instantly identify the new Montego as a Mercury. The signature waterfall grille, strategic use of contrasting metallic surfaces like satin aluminum and chrome, distinctive taillight bezels and unique tailoring continue the distinctive automotive design vision Edsel Ford set for Mercury some 65 years ago.

Elements like premium materials, colors and surface textures signal that the all-new Montego sedan is an aspirational vehicle - a reward for those who value design.

Some design elements incorporate technologies that deliver consumer benefits, like the HID headlamps that present a clearer view of the road at night, and LED taillights that provide highly visible communication to other drivers on the road.

A key feature of Montego's interior design is its upscale, two-tone treatment. A satin aluminum finish is used on the door handles while chrome trim rings enhance the dash-mounted analog clock and gauges. The steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather.

Montego's interior dimensions put it among the leaders in virtually every category, including best-in-class headroom and knee room in the second row. The natural, upright seating position - borrowed from sport utilities like the Mercury Mountaineer - offers both comfort and visibility that give the driver confidence and command of the road.

Montego's trunk is deceptively large, with a remarkable 21 cubic feet of space - nearly 50 percent larger than most competitors. With the split, second-row seat folded, the trunk expands to offer a best-in-class 49.9 inches of total load floor length. The front passenger seat also can fold flat for added cargo-carrying capability.

Dynamics and Powertrain


The Montego's Volvo-inspired platform provides a stable platform, with fully independent suspension for a quiet ride and responsive handling.

The proven Duratec 30 V-6 engine has been refined for a smoother, quieter operation. The available all-wheel-drive system is packaged with a new continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel-drive vehicles use a premium six-speed automatic transmission developed by Aisin. Each offers wide overall gear ratios for strong acceleration and economical operation.

Mercury Montego's optional all-wheel-drive system also uses electronic controls to achieve optimum performance whether on dry, wet or snow-covered roads - or traveling through mud or sand.

Normally, the vehicle functions with front-wheel drive only. But when the electronically controlled, electro-hydraulic HaldexTM limited slip coupling senses a difference in speed between the front wheels and rear wheels, it taps into available drive-shaft torque and distributes up to 100 percent traction to the rear wheels.

Safety


The all-new 2005 Mercury Montego builds on Ford's industry-leading Personal Safety SystemTM with new features that address front-, side- and rear-impact protection.

When equipped with optional side air bags and Safety CanopyTM side curtain air bags, Mercury Montego is expected to earn top ratings in crash tests. These independent tests will be conducted after the Montego reaches showrooms.

Montego's cabin structure channels crash forces into a high-strength steel "ring" of protection surrounding the passenger compartment. For protection in side impacts, energy is channeled through a cross-car tube.

Montego's active safety systems collect information from various sensors throughout the car - including a seat-position sensor that determines the driver's distance from the steering wheel, a weight-sensor in the front passenger seat, crash severity sensors and rollover sensor used for the available Safety CanopyTM - to tailor response to the type and severity of the impact.

Major Equipment and Options


Luxury includes: Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 17-inch seven-spoke wheels, automatic HID headlamps, LED taillamps, body-color moldings, fog lamps, remote keyless entry with keypad, interval wipers, folding heated power exterior mirrors, power windows and door locks, driver and front passenger air bags, passive anti-theft system, dual-zone electronic climate control, front and rear floor mats, six-way power driver's seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, seatback map pockets, split-fold rear seat, fold-down rear armrest with cupholders, auto-dimming rearview mirror, two 12-volt powerpoints, AM/FM stereo with single CD player and tilt steering wheel with remote audio controls.

Premier adds: All-speed traction control, 18-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels, remote perimeter lighting, Audiophile AM/FM stereo with six-CD changer and subwoofer, leather seating surfaces, heated driver and front passenger seats, two-way power passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, overhead console with Homelink®, woodgrain interior appliqués, memory function for power seats, mirrors and adjustable pedals and a trunk cargo net.

Options include all-wheel-drive, power moonroof, reverse sensing system, Safety CanopyTM air curtains with rollover protection and seat-mounted side impact air bags.

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