THE 2008 MERCURY
MARINER EXHIBITS A NEW LOOK, SOPHISTICATION AND
FLAIR
2008 Mercury Mariner – featuring a new look
inside and out – goes on sale in early 2007.
An all-new interior showcases a fresh design
direction for all Mercury products.
Innovative refinements help reduce interior
NVH levels by 12 percent.
Chassis upgrades and new Electric Power
Steering (EPS) system improve Mariner’s car-like
ride and handling without sacrificing off-road
ability.
Mariner features one of the most advanced
safety package in the small SUV segment,
including standard side curtain air bags and
AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ® – Ford Motor Company’s
unique roll stability control system.
Mariner Hybrid updated with refined control
systems to improve drivability and overall
performance.
Introduced in 2005 as Mercury’s entry-level,
small SUV, Mariner built on the style and success of
the mid-size four-door Mountaineer. The original
Mariner was designed for customers who wanted a
little more than a standard, small SUV, as it
delivered a high level of design sophistication,
more standard features, premium interior materials
and unique content in a smartly packaged,
fuel-efficient model.
Now, with the first significant redesign of
Mariner since its launch, the new 2008 model builds
on that foundation by adding higher levels of style
and refinement – it is a look that will define the
Mercury brand moving forward.
The 2008 Mariner hits dealer showrooms in early
2007 and is completely redesigned inside and out. In
addition to fresh sheet metal with new Mercury
design cues and a remade interior, Mariner is
updated with a comprehensive safety package, a
quieter ride and more refined driving dynamics. What
has not changed is the overall package: Mariner
retains the fuel-efficiency, maneuverability and the
fun-to-drive nature that is a core characteristic of
the small SUV package.
“The 2008 Mariner is the first product to truly
deliver 100 percent of the design DNA for Mercury as
a brand,” says Kim Irwin, Mercury brand manager. “It
looks good and drives well, it has sophisticated
style, and it’s not like anything else out there.”
The 2008 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.
The new Mariner continues to balance all these
demands, wrapping it all in a sophisticated and
stylish package that can only be found on a Mercury.
Clean, Modern and Sophisticated Exterior
Design Sets Mariner Apart
On the outside, the 2008 Mariner’s all-new sheet
metal includes significant design changes to the
front/rear fascias, liftgate, headlamps and
taillamps, a raised beltline, new hood and B-pillar
blackout molding. There’s also a unique satin
signature waterfall grille.
“Overall, the new Mariner looks more refined than
the previous model,” says Stephen Lesh, program
manager for the 2008 Mariner. “The hood is raised
and it’s more squared off. With its new look and
enhanced features, the 2008 Mariner is perfect for
customers who want something a little smaller than
Mountaineer, gets a little better mileage and yet
still delivers all the capabilities of an SUV.”
One striking visual statement on the 2008 Mariner
is the new grille that’s larger, with bigger
openings between the bars. The Mercury badge in the
middle of the waterfall grille is larger, too. More
brightwork front and rear gives 2008 Mariner an
unmistakable Mercury presence on the road. The
previous model’s body-color molding and lower body
cladding are removed, giving Mariner a cleaner, more
seamless profile. Mercury-exclusive integrated side
repeater lamps is another Mercury’s design cue and
adds an element of safety.
Head and taillamps have a unique “eyebrow” design
running around the lenses, bringing together the
front and rear ends of the vehicle. Look closely:
The headlamps are accentuated with a Mercury badge
subtly integrated inside the housing. The taillamps
have four inner lenses and a clear lamp with a red
inner lens. The “powerdome” hood has a unique
reverse crease that draws the eye from the grille
toward the windshield.
The design changes go more than skin deep. “Every
surface was changed to make the vehicle look more
substantial than the previous model,” said Doyle
Letson, chief designer for Mariner. “We wanted the
new Mariner to have a presence, sophistication and
attention to detail that would be more appealing to
the customer.”
On top of the vehicle, a 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,” said
Letson. “We found out that if we tweaked the size
and position of these channels, we 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.
Mariner is available in two trim levels: the
well-equipped Mariner and the up-level Mariner
Premier that adds bright machined 16-inch aluminum
wheels (with optional chrome-clad 17-inch wheels),
available satin inserts on the roof rack, leather
seats, a power driver’s seat, dual automatic
temperature control and body-color mirrors.
Three new 2008 Mariner colors include Kiwi, Light
Ice Blue and Black Pearl Slate. In all, eight
exterior colors will be offered on the new Mariner.
Mariner’s Stylish, Sophisticated and
Refined Interior Moves Further Upscale
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,
center console and a new floor-mounted shifter. The
seats are monochromatic or two-tone with Alcantara ®
Suede inserts.
“The way we define the brand is, it’s cool,” says
Evelyn Bowman, interior designer for the Mariner.
“Mariner’s interior is savvy, forward and technical
looking. It has a lot of eye-popping details that
resonate well with our target customer.”
Signaling a new direction for Mercury interior
design, 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 on the
instrument cluster, on the center console, on
the door lock and window switches and on the
steering wheel. Ice Blue presents a cool, crisp,
easy-on-the-eyes light for night driving and
enhances the overall quality feel of the
interior.
Replacing the traditional “brick” design for
the radio and heating/air conditioning controls,
Mariner features dials and buttons that
“poke-through” the center console. The
instrument panel houses audio and climate
controls, a standard MP3/iPod ® jack, controls
for the heated seats and an available in-dash
Navigation system. The result is a more
integrated, more finished look.
In addition to these features, Mariner’s center
console has innovative space and storage solutions.
The console features best-in-class volume and 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 for keys, sunglasses, etc.
The center console in the new Mariner 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 Mariner owners can
hide valuables like a digital camera or purse. The
rear part of the console has molded-in rear-seat
cupholders that are higher, sturdier and easier to
reach than in the previous model.
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 – flip it over and there’s
an easy-to-clean rubber surface.
The air conditioner has been improved for more
comfort in hot weather conditions. A larger air
conditioner compressor improves overall performance,
and new rectangular air vents near the top of the
dashboard efficiently direct air to passengers in
the back seat and do not blow directly on the
driver’s hands.
A host of other features elevate the level of
sophistication inside Mariner. A new floor-mounted
shifter, for example, let engineers remove the
emergency brake handle from the center console,
freeing up room between the seats; the emergency
brake is now engaged with a floor-mounted pedal and
released with a handle on the dashboard.
Thoughtfully sculpted door panels create more elbow
room; audio speakers sit higher in the front doors
for better sound clarity; and the rear doors have
new storage bins.
Mariner is also one of the first Ford Motor
Company vehicles to feature One-Touch Integrated
Start. This feature 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.
New Steering and Chassis Upgrades Improve
Mariner’s Ride and Handling
The 2008 Mercury Mariner is one of the first Ford
Motor Company vehicles to use speed-sensitive
Electric Power Steering (EPS), a sophisticated
system that improves overall steering feel and is
more efficient than conventional systems.
Conventional power steering systems use a
hydraulic gear that gets power from a belt turned by
the engine – this draws power and efficiency from
the engine. The 2008 Mariner has seamless
electric-power-assisted steering that draws power
from an electric motor instead of drawing power
directly from the engine accessory drive. This new
system helps improve fuel economy and eliminates the
hydraulic noises typical of conventional hydraulic
power-assisted steering systems. Because there are
no hydraulic lines or fluid, maintenance costs over
the life of the vehicle are reduced, too.
EPS and a retuned suspension reinforce Mariner’s
confident on-road ride. For 2008, Mariner’s car-like
feel is further improved with a reduction in the
rear spring rates from prior models and a front
stabilizer bar that grows from 20 to 21 mm. Models
with 17-inch wheels/tires get unique rear dampers
and a 22-mm front stabilizer bar.
For 2008, gasoline-powered Mariners come with an
all-new 10-inch , front disc/rear drum braking
system that is more durable, quieter and emits less
dust.
“With Mariner’s new braking system, stopping
distances are equivalent to the previous model,”
said Tom Skwirsk, Mariner Brake System Supervisor.
“The difference now, however, is that customers will
get improved life on linings and rotors, which
greatly reduces the cost of ownership. There’s also
better NVH. Because the new brakes are larger, they
run cooler and are quieter. A new brake lining
material creates much less brake dust, virtually
eliminating the need to clean brake dust from the
front wheels.”
The 2008 Mariner Hybrid continues with
regenerative four-wheel-disc brakes.
,.
A Focus on NVH Refinement Delivers a
Quiet, Car-Like Ride
Engineers made a host of changes to the 2008
Mariner to lower NVH levels inside
the vehicle.
“There is a noticeable improvement in wind and
road noise,” says Eric Loeffler, chief engineer of
the 2008 Mariner. “We measure noise in sones, but
what we’re really trying to go after is the level of
speech intelligibility inside the vehicle. We’ve
made significant improvements to Mariner that will
be very noticeable to customers.”
To achieve lower NVH levels, a new acoustic
windshield laminate is sandwiched between two glass
panels in the front windshield. In addition to
preventing the windshield from breaking apart in a
collision, the new laminate material reduces the
sound level of wind noise experienced in the
vehicle. There’s an acoustic headliner in the
vehicle as well, and the interior carpet is thicker
than the previous model and does a better job of
isolating noise. Overall, carpet volume has
increased by 25 percent with a 50 percent increase
in thickness over about 50 percent of the area.
There’s a host of other NVH enhancements, too.
Side glass thickness has increased from 3.8
to 4.7 mm and helps prevent outside noise from
entering the passenger cabin.
On V6-equipped models, engineers moved the
alternator from the right to left side of the
engine. Because the engine is transversely
mounted, the noise is now located farther away
from the passenger cabin.
A new, quieter cooling fan reduces idle
noise.
All-wheel drive models have a new rear
differential that is quieter and smoother.
New windshield molding and low profile
wipers help improve airflow around the vehicle
and reduce wind noise.
Redesigned recessed channels on top of
Mariner are staggered and shorter to reduce boom
as air flows over the top.
Outside mirrors are larger and careful
attention was given to their design to minimize
wind noise.
Additional sound deadening material has been
added throughout the vehicle to reduce noise
throughout the interior.
Compared with the previous model, the 2008
Mariner is 12 percent quieter on the highway (30.8
sones to 27 sones at 80 mph in the wind tunnel) and
20 percent quieter in high velocity cross winds.
Mariner’s Proven Chassis and Powertrain
Reinforce Mariner’s Car-Like Ride
Mariner is tuned for the urban environment to
deliver a comfortable and controlled ride. Unibody
construction contributes to its light weight, nimble
maneuverability, and a low stance makes it easy to
get in and out of the vehicle. A responsive
architecture – with four-wheel independent
suspension – gives Mariner precise steering and
handling and the ability of each wheel to react
separately to road imperfections.
Mariner comes standard with front-wheel drive. An
available Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) system
automatically transfers torque from front to rear as
required by road conditions without driver
intervention. The computer-controlled system
operates so seamlessly that its engagement is barely
noticeable to most drivers.
The Intelligent 4WD System has a fully
computer-controlled clutch that engages the rear
wheels as needed. Using sensors at each wheel and
the accelerator, the system’s computer can calculate
up to 200 times per second exactly how much torque
to send to the rear wheels to minimize slip.
Intelligent 4WD constantly monitors all four wheels
looking for tire slip on wet or snowy pavement and
can transfer torque to the rear axle in a moment's
notice. The system eliminates a drawback of other
four-wheel-drive systems – a binding effect during
tight turns and driveline harshness when the system
engages. Mariner’s Intelligent 4WD System can sense
tight turns and continuously vary the torque to the
rear wheels at all speeds, offering the benefits of
a "locked" four-wheel-drive system without any of
the drawbacks.
The standard engine is a 2.3-liter, 16-valve
Duratec 23 four-cylinder that produces 153
horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb.-ft of torque at
4,250 rpm. An optional 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6
Duratec 30 engine produces 200 horsepower at 6,000
rpm and 193 lb.-ft of torque at 4,850 rpm. Both
engines come with a standard four-speed-automatic
transaxle.
Mariner Hybrid Proves its Durability and
Urban City Prowess
Mariner Hybrid comes with a 2.3-liter DOHC
16-valve Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a
permanent magnet AC synchronous motor. The gasoline
engine produces 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 124
lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. The electric motor
produces 70 kw @ 5,000 rpm and 330V maximum voltage.
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 percent. A
smooth-shifting, electronically controlled
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is the only
available transmission on the hybrid model.
For 2008, Mariner Hybrid engineers made revisions
to software in the control system to improve
transparency, or the transition between gasoline and
electric operation. The transition from all-electric
to gasoline power to a combination of the two is now
even more seamless and virtually imperceptible to
the driver. Also, the four-wheel-disc regenerative
brakes have also been retuned to provide better
feel. With the 2008 model year, Mariner Hybrid will
be available for the first time with a choice of
front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Previously,
the Mariner Hybrid was offered only as a
four-wheel-drive model.
Mariner Hybrid continues to be a “full” hybrid.
This means that, unlike other "mild" hybrid
vehicles, Mariner Hybrid can run on 100 percent
electric power up to about 30 mph, maximizing
in-city fuel economy. Mariner Hybrid automatically
switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline
engine power or combined operation of the two to
maximize efficiency and performance.
Full hybrids achieve their greatest improvement
in fuel economy during stop-and-go driving where the
electric motor is most efficient. The Mariner Hybrid
provides approximately 75 percent better fuel
economy in city driving than the conventional
V6 Mariner.
Safety Canopy™ with "Roll-Fold"
Technology Offers Enhanced Rollover and Side-Impact
Protection
The 2008 Mariner has, as standard safety
equipment, a side-impact protection system
consisting of several components: Ford’s Safety
Canopy™ side air curtains provide head and neck
protection for the first- and second-row passengers,
and side impact airbags deploy out of the upper
portion of the front seats to protect the upper and
lower torso of the driver and passenger.
Additionally, there are occupant friendly door trims
with softened armrests, side impact foam bolsters
and intrusion door beams that distribute the loading
during an impact to the hinge and B pillars.
Safety Canopy™ side air curtains deploy in
certain side-impact collisions, or if an impending
rollover is detected, to help protect front- and
second-row outboard occupants. The curtains remain
inflated for several seconds after deployment to
enhance protection during an extended crash event.
The air curtains feature "roll-fold" technology.
If occupants are improperly seated and resting their
heads against a window, the Safety Canopy™ is
designed to slide between the glass and occupants as
it inflates.
Mariner is also 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.
The new FMVSS 208 frontal test measures how well
vehicle occupants are protected in a 35 mph crash
against a rigid barrier; the previous test was
conducted at 30 mph. In designing the vehicle to
meet the new standards, engineers on the 2008
Mariner program developed an entirely revised
restraint system that consists of new airbags, seat
belts, steering column and a new steering wheel.
The government’s new FMVSS 214 test for
side-impact collisions received even more changes
for 2008.
“The revised 214 test represents a giant overhaul
of side-impact government crash tests,” says Matthew
Makowski, chief safety engineer for the 2008
Mariner. “The previous side-impact test used a
side-impact dummy (SID) that was developed in the
1970s. The new 214 test scraps the old dummy and now
uses a EuroSID-II RE dummy that measures loads that
are better representative of a human body. There are
also two dummies, a 50 th percentile dummy that
represents half of the population and a 5 th
percentile dummy that represents adults of a smaller
stature.”
Designed with the new standard in mind, Mariner
has new doors and a standard side-impact protection
system; on the previous-generation Mariner, the
side-impact protection system was available as an
option only. Mariner also enters 2008 retaining the
previous model’s double four-star front occupant
safety rating from NHTSA.
Additional Mariner safety features include front
seat load limiting seatbelts with dual-pretensioning
that, in the event of a collision, remove the slack
out of the safety belt in two places – at the buckle
and at the retractor. This cinches the driver and
front passenger in their seats and allows the
seatbelts to "payout" through the ride-down of the
crash event. Additionally, the driver and front
passenger front airbags are new (the driver’s bag is
one inch larger), and the energy absorbing knee
bolster system of the instrument panel has been
redesigned to provide better protection for both
driver and front passenger.
Mariner also features standard ABS that helps the
driver maintain control during an emergency stop on
slippery road conditions.
AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ® Enhances
Mariner’s Resistance to Rolling Over
Every non-hybrid 2008 Mariner comes standard with
Advance Trac ® with RSC ®, a Ford Motor
Company-exclusive roll stability control and active
safety system not offered by any other manufacturer.
This active stability enhancement system offers a
significant difference when compared to typical
electronic stability control systems. While typical
systems are designed to control yaw or spinout only,
Ford Motor Company’s AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ® goes
one important step further: it 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. AdvanceTrac ® with RSC
® is an integrated system of four major components
that include:
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS):
ABS regulates brake pressure to help
prevent wheel lockup when trying to stop the
vehicle.
Traction Control: When the
traction control system detects a loss of
adhesion between the wheels and the road
surface, a computer quickly responds by reducing
engine power when necessary and selectively
applying brake force to the slipping wheel while
transferring power to the opposite wheel.
Yaw Control: When
understeer (which leads to “pushing” wide in a
turn) or oversteer (which leads to the rear-end
losing grip and coming around, or “fishtailing”)
is detected, the system selectively applies
individual brakes and modifies engine power to
maximize control.
Vehicle Roll-motion Sensor:
The Ford-exclusive gyroscopic roll-rate sensor
helps monitor vehicle roll motion approximately
150 times per second. If it detects a
significant roll angle, it automatically engages
AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ® to help keep all four
wheels safely on the ground.
AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ®is automatically engaged
every time the vehicle is started. A switch lets
drivers turn the traction control system and
AdvanceTrac ® off when they may want the wheels to
spin freely to help the tires “dig” for traction,
such as during low-speed off-road driving or when
traveling through deep snow or mud.
Ford is the first automaker to develop
AdvanceTrac ® with RSC ® technology and has more
than 80 patents and patent applications pending
worldwide for the system. Ford Motor Company is
making the technology available to other companies
and automakers through licensing agreements.
