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Mercury Sable restructured as new elliptical sedan and wagon
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Check out that outrageous new elliptical shape.
It starts at the slinky nose where two snake-eye headlamps, pointing inward toward a flattened oval grille edged in shiny chrome, sets up the bulge of a wavy hood accented by strong shoulders.
Glass of the windshield tilts back at a severe angle, but so do side glass panels, each warping into the arch of a roofline which seems rounded from any angle.
Doors earn an inverted notch so patterns of light cast a dark shadow above highlights of a convex roll down into the rocker panel.
The tail treatment repeats the theme of ellipses with overall sectional shape and oval lamps wrapping edges.
A sedan version employs an upward sloping trunk followed by bold glass gently softened with curves at all corners, while a station wagon variation extends lines rearward beyond the canted C pillar with more oval glass surfaces repeating egg-shaped patterns in silhouette and sectional views.
Both the new sedan and wagon look radical and strong, even sensual.
Log time in the driver's seat, like I did recently running across southern ripples of North Carolina, and you too may want to attach more descriptives -- like dynamic, innovative, wholly exciting.
That's Sable, Mercury's mid-size masterwork, completely restyled from trim to tire in a sensational generational update for 1996.
If you could peel Sable's banana-slick skin, you'd discover concealed new mechanical systems designed to make this thing dance on pavement.
Hop aboard as we take it for an inspection ride.
From the driver's perspective, every shape of the interior treatment echoes the exterior's elliptical theme, beginning with an oval instrument panel housing bold white-on-black analog gauges including tachometer.
A second oval, centered immediately above the floor-mounted gear shifter, collects buttons, knobs and dials employed by climate and audio systems.
Sable's passenger airbag, hidden behind another oval panel on the right side of the dashboard, stands above an oval glove box and adjacent oval vent grille.
Plan for the sedan's interior provides seats for either five or six riders through the option of a 3-person front bench or twin buckets.
For the base Sable GS edition with 6-person seating, the center section of the front seat conceals a unique 3-way center storage and seat system. It unfolds from the seatback to three positions which function as seat, console or armrest.
Sable LS earns the twin front bucket seats, followed by the standard 3-person rear bench which splits in 60/40 ratio and folds down for additional storage space.
Differences between Sable's sedan and wagon unfold behind the second seat, as the wagon provides a spacious cargo compartment with rear gate and integrated child's safety seat flipping out from the back bench.
Time to test Sable's spirit.
Crank it up and ears will immediately hear powerful notes stemming from one of the two new 3.0-liter V6 engines.
Sable's Vulcan V6, which traces to the original edition of 1986, has been overhauled for 1996's make-over. A new crankshaft, cast-aluminum pistons and a camshaft which performs better and operates at a quieter level make this plant entirely likeable.
It musters 145 hp, and fuel figures hit 29 mpg.
Sable LS, the ultimate model, gets the spunky Duratec V6 that debuted last year in Mystique, Mercury's other new mid-size sedan. This 3.0-liter variation, an expansion from Mystique's 2.5-liter original, wears twin cams on top and four valves in each cylinder, building muscle to 200 hp.
A new 4-speed automatic mates with either engine.
Sable's independent suspension adds a MacPherson strut at every corner, with helical coil springs and nitrogen gas-pressurized shocks.
The steering device, a rack and pinion mechanism, also includes speed-sensitive variable power assistance for an effect that's light to the touch yet precise in action.
All versions tote front disc brakes, with 4-wheel discs and an anti-lock system optional on Sable's sedans but standard with the wagon.
Driving Sable in the crowded confines of city traffic, such as I encountered on multi-laners of Charlotte, revealed that extensive measures have been taken to insulate this vehicle and muffle sounds from the engine compartment as well as adjacent traffic.
Also, Sable LS with that Duratec V6 under the hood allows you to zip quickly up to speed on freeways.
Taking this car through the twisties on a curvy mountain route shows off its uncanny ability to master every turn without excessive body roll. Push it hard, the way I played with multiple Sables on corkscrew circuits of an infield course at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and you might mistake this one for some sporty number.
Yet it doesn't neglect the mission at Mercury to bring comforts and handy convenience perks to driver and riders.
In addition, on-board safety systems include Sable's new cellular body structure and steel beams in side doors.
While it's true that Sable shares most components with Ford's counterpart, Taurus, the Mercury adds its own special styling characteristics such as the shape of the sedan's rear window and Sable's different look at the nose.
The original Sable rolled out ten years ago looking radical, acting more lively and drivable than any predecessor or competitor, and wearing highly attractive sticker figures -- with sales success quickly following. Now comes a generational make-over which also looks radical, acts far more lively and still wears reasonable price tags.
Sable GS lists for $19,755, only $195 more than the 1995 figure, despite new styling and equipment.
It's another benchmark car pointed toward success.
1996 MERCURY SABLE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1996 MERCURY SABLE Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan, wagon |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan, wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
108.5 inches |
| Overall Length: |
Sedan: 199.7 inches
Wagon: 199.1 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.0-L V6
DOHC 3.0-L V6 24v
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Sedan: Power disc/drum,
Opt. 4-disc/ABS
Wagon: Power 4-disc,
Opt. ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
20/29 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 19,900 to $ 24,000 |
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