Mercury Tracer economical sedan and wagon fired with spirit
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Strapped into the conforming bucket with hands gripping a padded steering wheel and eyes pegged through wide-angle windshield toward an approaching curve on a Georgia mountain, the driver controlled a new machine that behaved politely with precise movements and zippy pedal power.
Favored mechanical components, such as rack and pinion steering and independent suspension hardware, created an active driving personality which could easily be characterized as aggressive.
In the cockpit an array of analog gauges clustered in the swoopy instrument panel, while various controls -- levers like turn indicator and washer/wiper stick -- moved with exacting action that mirrors the quality of European cars.
Twin airbags were installed to shield front riders in the event of an accident, and other covert systems for safety were also aboard, such as a steel superstructure with built-in crumple zones and steel door braces, plus a brake system with anti-lock device.
The seats, clad in a neutral fabric, felt comfortable enough to spend time in the commuter lane without complaint.
Then came that Georgia curve, and the test car held a firm and predictable line, despite excessive entry speed.
It was an acrobatic action which demonstrated that this vehicle could perform serious pavement feats when demanded, and without protest from R-rated tires.
Overall, tests produced high marks for the sedan's temper, performance and personal accommodations.
But the examination of pricing prompted a question: Could so many pluses in a car actually add up to a final figure that falls below the low mark of $12,000?
For the remake of Tracer, staple economy car from the Mercury Division of Ford, that's the premise: Pack a lot of car into a small package, but hold the line on prices.
As successor to the best-seller subcompact in Mercury's fleet, Tracer had to be good.
This latest edition, dressed with 1997 tags and conformed in round jelly-bean shape as a 4-door notchback sedan or 5-door station wagon, seems like a logical design extension of Mercury's mid-size Sable and compact Mystique.
Look beyond the curvy new skin and you'll find 25 percent more power in the engine, more space in the 5-person cabin, a stronger structure and new mechanical components which create a sophisticated ride quality, plus high content of comfort and convenience items and a superior level of quality effected for all moving parts.
Despite these improvements, Tracer arrives at Mercury showrooms wearing window stickers pitched as much as $610 below the price of predecessor models.
What's the deal?
Apparently, Mercury's development team, working in international conspiracy with in-house groups situated in the United States, England, Germany and Japan, found a way to deliver more car for less dollars.
Underpinnings for Tracer in its new format were lifted from a platform used in the subcompact Protege sedan by Japan's Mazda, which is owned in part by Ford.
Then Ford's Pacific Design Center, located in Japan at Hiroshima, worked up exterior and interior styling for Tracer and its Ford equivalent, Escort, while production of both takes place at a Ford assembly plant in Michigan.
During my tests of Tracer on Georgia back roads, Bruce Young -- who manages the small car design studio at Ford's Pacific Design Center in Japan -- revealed a goal for Tracer's design team was to create an inexpensive car that's also comfortable for riders and still fun to drive.
"We virtually started over with Tracer's design," Young said. "We created fresh new designs for components which would be simple in operation and cost-effective to produce, durable but economical in performance and at the same time comfortable for Tracer's riders to experience."
Costs were shaved by turning to the existing Protege platform, although Young noted it was enlarged and fortified with new front elements and braces added in back to absorb road shock. In Tracer, the foundation feels stiffer, which helps to dampen noise and subdue inherent vibrations.
Also, large one-piece metal stampings for external side body sections contribute to Tracer's overall rigidity, which in turn enhances the ride quality.
Despite the subcompact classification, Tracer's interior dimensions seem spacious. Compared against prior models, passengers will find more leg and head room and a wider plan with more space for shoulders.
Two people ride up front in new bucket seats, with a bench installed in back for up to three more passengers.
The new instrument panel, reflecting curvaceous forms similar to those in Mercury's new Sable, installs easy-read analog gauges and a concise center oval cluster of dials to manage audio and climate systems.
Regarding pedal power, all Tracer models tote a gutsy 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 110 hp.
With 5-speed manual transmission as standard, Tracer accelerates quickly from stop-light starts and maintains aggressive throttle action in a run through lower gears.
The manual shifter helps Tracer develop superior numbers for fuel economy -- up to 39 mpg at highway speeds.
A 4-speed automatic transmission, available as add-on option, behaves itself in quiet and smooth-shifting manner.
In another effort to hold down prices, Tracer's array of models was condensed with the new designs.
The notchback sedan now comes in two trim levels -- a base GS and the LS with some conveniences added. Tracer's single station wagon stocks the comforts of the LS sedan and uses the same model designation.
Features standard on base Tracer GS range from power steering and rear-seat heat vents to a deluxe stereo AM-FM audio system.
For the LS sedan, Tracer wears bolt-on wheel covers, a 60/40 split in the folding rear seatback, bodycolor side moldings and upgraded fabrics for seats.
Tracer's price chart begins at $11,560 for the GS sedan, the LS sedan lists for $12,085 and LS wagon comes to $12,635 -- with all figures fixed for less than last year.
1997 MERCURY TRACER
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| 1997 MERCURY TRACER7-AUMT VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Subcompact sedan, wagon |
| Model Options: |
Subcompact sedan, wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
98.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
174.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.0-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS opt. |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
32/39 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 11,500 to $ $14,000 |
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