Greg
Wilson

drive

THE MERCURY Mystique
and its Ford sibling, the
Contour, are the first fruits of
Ford Motor Company’s plans
to giobalize its car manufac-
turing and marketing opera-
tions. —

As part of its World 2000 pro-
gram, Ford intends to design all their
small cars (compacts and subcom-
pacts) in Europe, and all large cars
(mid-size and up) in North America.

The Mystiquc/Contour is derived
from the European-designed Ford
Mondeo, a compact, four-door, five-
passenger sedan that was well-
received by the European public and

“motoring press when it was first
introduced in 1993. Contrary to pop-
ular belief, the Mystique and

Contour are not replacements for the
discontinued Tempo and Topaz,

The Mystique and Contour, priced
between $17,000 and $22,000, are
more sophisticated cars that will
compete with such cars as the
Nissan Altima and Chrysler Cirrus.

Apart from exterior and interior
styling revisions to suit North
American tastes, the Mystique and
Contour are basically the same as
the European version, That means
the best features of these cars are
typically European: handling, steer-
ing, braking, ride, and vehicle
dynamics. The Mystique is a fun,
responsive car to drive. Its body
structure is extremely rigid, and the
fully independent suspension pro-
vides competent stability and control
even over rough, bumpy roads. The
suspension is a bit stiff by North
American standards, though not
unpleasantly so.

The well-designed front bucket-
seats are-very supportive, the con-
trols are easy to reach and operate
(apart from the push-button volume
control for the radio), and outward
visibility is exceflent. I would have
no hesitation in calling the Mystique
a sports sedan.

‘Twa sporty engines are available:
— a standard 125 horsepower 2.0-
litre, dual overhead cam, 16-valve
four-cylinder engine; and an optional
170 horsepower dual overhead cam,
24-valve all-aluminum V6 engine.
The latter is one of the smallest,

Photo submitted

‘TRE 1995 Mercury Mystique is a compact, four-door sedan with

available four-cytinder:or six-cylinder powerplants. Based on
the European Ford Mondeo, the Mystique is a fun car to drive.
Prices start at $17,295. inquire about the Mystique at Zephyr
Lincoln Mercury, 488 West 7th Ave. Vancouver.

siVarine Drive

r

lightest V6 engines in the world,
Both of these powerplants are free-
revving and sporty-sounding, with
lots of top-end performance. At a
steady cruising speed of 100 km-h
(61 m.p.h.), the V6 engine turns over
a relaxed and quiet 2400 rpim..
Average fuel consumption with the
V6 engine is very good: 9.0 litres
per 10 kilometres (33 m.p.g.).
Average fuel consumption of the
four-cylinder engine is even better:
8.3 7100 km (36 m.p.g.).

A standard five-speed manual
transmission offered on both cars is
direct and smooth and makes the
most of these free-revving engines,

The Mystique’s interior is well
laid-out, but it is not as roomy as
other cars in its class. Rear-seat
legroom, in particular, is not gener-
ous, though adequate for two adults.
Standard equipment on the Mystique
GS includes dual airbugs, AM/FM
stereo radio, height-adjustable seat
belts, and two cupholders that spring
out of the console. Mystiques with a
manual transmission get only one
cupholder.

A unique standard feature is
Micron Air filters in the ventilation
system that filter out air particles us
small as three microns in diameter.
This is a useful feature for allergy
sufferers. However, you'll probably
have to replace these air filters at
every tune-up.

Optionai items include air-condi-
tioning, cassette or CD player, auto-
matic transmission, traction control,
cruise control, power windows,
power door locks, and sunroof. I was
surprised to learn that. a tilt steering
wheel is not available as an option.”

A common complaint I have with
North American cars is that the cen-

tral locking system cannot be operat-
-ed from the outside with a key. This

means you have to unlock the dri-
ver's door first, than press another
button or the inside (if you can find
it in the dark) to unlock the passen-
ger doors. In addition it’s possible to
lock your keys in the car, something
that can’t be done with a door-key
system.

The manufacturer's suggested
retail price for the Mercury GS with
manual transmission is $17,295, The
LS is $20,695. lixpect to pay well
over $20,000 for a well-equipped
Mystique. ;

ik Six to choose from,
? BRAND EW GEO METRO GSi (4 CYLINDER) rrom

Stock #24-1722

BRAND NEW CHEVY S10 PICK-UP TRUCK

31i in stock now (or shipped),

THE AL NEW 1995 CHEV CAVALIER

Stock #10-9138

BRAND NEW OLDS ACHIEVA VG AUTOMATIC FROM

Stock #12-5920

= BRAND NEW LOADED CUTLASS SUPRERIE

WHO TO CALL:

Auto Editor
Andrew McCredie

985-2131 (113)
ESET OR TNR SSS GRE IEE TP PEE ITS RE

Base price: (GS) $17,295
MSRP: (LS) $20,695

Type: four-door, five-passen-
ger compact sedan
Layout: — transverse
engine/front- -wheel-drive
Engine: 2.5-litre V6, DOHC,
24 valves, sequential multi-port

fuel injection

Horsepower: 170 @ 6,250
np.m.

Torque: 165 ft-lbs, @ 4,250
rp.m,

Transmission: four-speed
automatic (five-speed standard)

front

* 2.0 Litre DOHC, 16 vaive,
1-4 Zetec engine

)- * Dual air bags

* Micron air filtration system
* Solar-tinted glass

“47,

OFFER EXPIRES tn 15, 95

purb weight: 1,281 kg (2,824
S.)

Wheelbase: 2,705 mm (106.5
in.)

Length: 4,661 mm (183.5 in.)
Width: 1,755 mm (69.1 in.)
Height: 1,384 mm (54.5 in.)
Trunk capacity: 394 litres
(13.9 cu, ft.)

Tires: P185/70R-14

Fuel consumption: City: 10.9
1/100 km (26 m.p.g.); Hwy: 7.1
100 km (40 m.p.g.)
Warranty:. three years/60,000°

* Power antenna —
..© Air conditioning Lites
_ ® Electronic AM/FM siereo .

cassette
“= was $21,058"

PMT. BASED ON 24 MONTHS, $2,000 DOWN & 1ST, SECURITY A TAXES

$9, 988

$12,498
non $1 2,988
. $16,698
$19, 998

. Hours
§-9 Mon.-Thurs. .:
9-6 Fri-Sat ;
Closed Sunday