Acura 2008 Mercury Mariner

Ford today announced the 2008 Mercury Mariner, which will go on sale in early 2007. The crossover features a revised exterior and an all-new interior. Ford says it has also improved handling, added a slew of new safety features (curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with RSC), and made the ride quieter Chassis upgrades and new Electric Power Steering (EPS) are designed to give the Mariner car-like ride and handling.

"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 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.

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. Inside, Satin Pewter finishes and chrome accents give the vehicle 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.

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.

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.

Acura 2008 Mercury Mariner

Ford today announced the 2008 Mercury Mariner, which will go on sale in early 2007. The crossover features a revised exterior and an all-new interior. Ford says it has also improved handling, added a slew of new safety features (curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with RSC), and made the ride quieter Chassis upgrades and new Electric Power Steering (EPS) are designed to give the Mariner car-like ride and handling.

"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 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.

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. Inside, Satin Pewter finishes and chrome accents give the vehicle 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.

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.

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.

Acura 2008 Mercury Mariner

Ford today announced the 2008 Mercury Mariner, which will go on sale in early 2007. The crossover features a revised exterior and an all-new interior. Ford says it has also improved handling, added a slew of new safety features (curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with RSC), and made the ride quieter Chassis upgrades and new Electric Power Steering (EPS) are designed to give the Mariner car-like ride and handling.

"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 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.

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. Inside, Satin Pewter finishes and chrome accents give the vehicle 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.

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.

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.

Toyota considers A-BAT

Toyota wants to add two more small vehicles to its American model lineup in response to rising fuel economy standards, said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota USA. He said a production version of the small A-BAT pickup concept, plus Europe's new Urban Cruiser were both under consideration.

Toyota is aiming for a 35 mpg fleetwide fuel economy average by 2020, Lentz told Automotive News in a recent interview.

The A-BAT pickup was shown in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January. Riding on a unibody platform, it features a four-foot bed, but overall storage space can grow to as much as eight feet when the midgate is folded down. Power comes from a four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid setup.

Unlike the A-BAT — which is just a concept car at this stage — the Urban Cruiser is already headed for production in Europe. If the mini-SUV looks familiar, it's because the Urban Cruiser is essentially a jacked-up version of the Scion xD. Whether there is enough of a difference between the Cruiser and the xD to warrant the sale of both models remains to be seen.

Lentz said either model could be badged as a Toyota or a Scion. "It doesn't matter," he said. "As long as we are keeping customers."

Toyota considers A-BAT

Toyota wants to add two more small vehicles to its American model lineup in response to rising fuel economy standards, said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota USA. He said a production version of the small A-BAT pickup concept, plus Europe's new Urban Cruiser were both under consideration.

Toyota is aiming for a 35 mpg fleetwide fuel economy average by 2020, Lentz told Automotive News in a recent interview.

The A-BAT pickup was shown in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January. Riding on a unibody platform, it features a four-foot bed, but overall storage space can grow to as much as eight feet when the midgate is folded down. Power comes from a four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid setup.

Unlike the A-BAT — which is just a concept car at this stage — the Urban Cruiser is already headed for production in Europe. If the mini-SUV looks familiar, it's because the Urban Cruiser is essentially a jacked-up version of the Scion xD. Whether there is enough of a difference between the Cruiser and the xD to warrant the sale of both models remains to be seen.

Lentz said either model could be badged as a Toyota or a Scion. "It doesn't matter," he said. "As long as we are keeping customers."

Toyota considers A-BAT

Toyota wants to add two more small vehicles to its American model lineup in response to rising fuel economy standards, said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota USA. He said a production version of the small A-BAT pickup concept, plus Europe's new Urban Cruiser were both under consideration.

Toyota is aiming for a 35 mpg fleetwide fuel economy average by 2020, Lentz told Automotive News in a recent interview.

The A-BAT pickup was shown in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January. Riding on a unibody platform, it features a four-foot bed, but overall storage space can grow to as much as eight feet when the midgate is folded down. Power comes from a four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid setup.

Unlike the A-BAT — which is just a concept car at this stage — the Urban Cruiser is already headed for production in Europe. If the mini-SUV looks familiar, it's because the Urban Cruiser is essentially a jacked-up version of the Scion xD. Whether there is enough of a difference between the Cruiser and the xD to warrant the sale of both models remains to be seen.

Lentz said either model could be badged as a Toyota or a Scion. "It doesn't matter," he said. "As long as we are keeping customers."

2008 Scion tC pricing announced

Scion has announced the pricing for its new 2008 Scion tC. The 2008 Scion tC Spec, which lets tuners take a blank tC and modify it, starts at $15,300 for a manual and $16,100 for an automatic. The core 2008 Scion tC model starts at $17,000 for the manual and $17,800 for the automatic.

The 2008 Scion tC receives new styling with a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille, projector-type low beam headlights with black trim, and rear tail lights similar in style to the tC’s headlights with round combination lamps.

Apple iPod connectivity becomes standard on all 2008 Scion models with a Scion’s standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system featuring a head unit with iPod control.