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Mercury
Mariner Hybrid
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV is the second of Ford's five
announced hybrid vehicles with the Ford Escape Hybrid being
the first. In fact, the Mariner Hybrid shares the same hybrid
system as the Escape
Hybrid. With the Mariner Hybrid 4WD is standard and
on the Escape Hybrid 4WD is optional. Both share a 33 mpg city
and 29 mpg hwy rating for 4WD-equipped hybrid vehicles.
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is, however, a slightly more upscale
model. Here's some of the features that come standard with the
Mercury Mariner Hybrid:
- Remote keyless entry and illuminated entry
- SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system
- Perimeter alarm system
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- 3-Point safety belts for all seat positions
- Lower anchors and tether anchors for children for rear
outboard seat positions
- AM/FM, MP3 & satellite-ready stereo with 6-disc
in-dash CD changer and 4 speakers
- Electrochromic (auto-dimming) rearview mirror
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- 2-way liftgate with flip-up glass
- Fog lamps
- Roof-rack side rails with crossbars
The Mercury Hybrid Mariner is a full hybrid featuring 2.3-liter
DOHC Duratec four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with two
AC electric motors that provide both motor and generator
functions, an electronically controlled continuously variable
transmission (CVT), and 250 D-size nickel-metal hydride
batteries in a compact, rear-mounted, sealed package. Full
hybrid means that the Mariner Hybrid can run on either electric
motor, gasoline engine or both. The Mariner hybrid system
with its 133 hp gasoline engine and 94 hp electric motor
is reported to have the same acceleration as the Mariner
non-hybrid V6. The Mariner Hybrid can run on electric motor
up to 25 mph, at which point the gasoline engine kicks in
to provide more power.
The Sierra Club, which for the longest time has criticized
the environmentally unfriendly Ford products, has gone as far
as to endorse the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The Sierra Club has
been promoting the Mariner Hybrid through to its 300,000 members
through its Sierra Club's Insider newsletter.
On June 7, 2005 the first Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV was
sold at auction at the Heal the Bay "Bring Back the
Beach" dinner. According to Mercury, "Mercury
donated a 2006 Mariner Hybrid SUV to Heal the Bay, the Santa
Monica-based environmental group dedicated to improving
water quality along California's coastline. The Mariner
Hybrid was the premier auction item at the group's annual
'Bring Back the Beach' dinner June 2, held adjacent to the
sand at Santa Monica Beach.
"The winning bidder was Ardie Tavangarian, owner of
ARYA, an architecture, construction, and project management
firm in West Los Angeles. He purchased the Mariner Hybrid
for his Senior Project Manager, Dean VanRossen to use as
a company car."
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid offers yet another option for hybrid
SUV buyers with a slightly upscale design and features. And,
why not spend a couple grand more since by owning a Mercury
Mariner Hybrid, customers will receive a $1,950 tax credit from
the Federal Goverment.
While no longer in production, Ford named this hybrid vehicle the Mercury Mariner for a reason. A Mariner is a sailor or a boater, often associated with a particular lifestyle that is free and rewarding. Automotive isn’t the only vehicle built though that offers hybrid power. Sunseeker Yachts has also adapted hybrid electric propulsion in their boats, providing a much more environmentally-friendly experience.
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