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Mercury Mystique enthused with new passion in update for '98
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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FURNACE CREEK, Calif. -- Highway 190, a narrow blacktop strip which wiggles around the Amagosa Range of California's Black Mountains while skirting a depression called Devil's Hole, descends from the high Nevada desert into that fiery salt pit of Death Valley at Furnace Creek.
On a typical day, caravans of huge recreational vehicles clog this route, reducing travel time to a mule's pace and removing all the fun of steering around so many canyon curves. Yet at high noon on the vernal equinox of this year, the path to Death Valley looked vacant, leaving one driver alone to play with a new iteration of Mercury's worldly sedan, Mystique.
This second generational expression of Mystique -- marked by a new sculptured face and revised mechanical components which enhance handing control and inflict excitement into the driving experience -- more closely aligns the Mercury and Ford's equivalent Contour with their European predecessor, Mondeo.
As Europe's best-seller, Mondeo comes out of a Ford plant in Belgium and sets a high mark for responsive -- even passionate -- automotive action.
When the original Mystique debuted in 1995, it shared about 90 percent of content with Contour and Mondeo, although modifications in interior seating and softer suspension settings were arranged for Mystique to reflect suspected preferences of an American clientele.
Now, though, Mystique for 1998 edges more closely in form and feel to Mondeo, and the changes kindle new spirit.
That's why that vacated route into Death Valley looked so good -- it was time to test Mystique's character.
Despite a speed-limit clip, Mystique's pedal signaled power in reserve, while inside the 5-person cabin all noise from engine and road and wind seemed muffled to a minimum in response to the effect of new sound-proofing techniques.
Mystique's revised driver's seat, deeply contoured with firm side bolsters, fit snugly against the backside, as revamped instruments and adjacent controls on dash and door remained in ideal stance for use by a driver.
The steering wheel, small in diameter and sporty in design, felt good to touch and required only minimal effort to turn when whipping through a set of curves.
Then came the steep and narrow drop through twisted canyon circuits to Furnace Creek, and around each progressive bend I discovered this sedan maintained a bear's grip on the hot asphalt. It quickly demonstrated that Mystique behaves more like a German performance sedan -- and certainly not a mundane little Mercury.
For the next hour I played with Mystique on a low strip leading south through Badwater, all the while pushing it hard, trying to detect a weak point here and there.
Yet I could find none, for Mystique, as advertised, manages to deliver Euro driving passion in a practical sedan -- and it feels like a world-class act.
Mystique comes to market by a world-class route.
Like Contour, it wears a smooth sheetmetal exterior shell in roly-poly shape with nicely sanded corners. Designs for both cars were originally developed by teams based in Europe and North America and linked by sophisticated satellite communications to Cray 90 supercomputer housed at Ford's headquarters in Michigan.
The smaller of Mystique's two powerplants -- the so-called "Zetec" 4-cylinder model -- comes together in Chihuahua, Mexico, while the light-weight "Duratec" V6, out of Ford's Cleveland, O., engine plant, is also used for Contour in North American and Mondeo in Europe.
A quick-to-shift 5-speed manual transmission, a standard on entry models, ships from Europe for all three cars, while Vetec's automatic 4-speed with electronic shift control is built in the United States.
Is Mystique a domestic product or an import? With Ford's international production web, distinctions between domestics and imports blur to a fuzzy haze because no other automaker has attempted such a complex global manufacturing and marketing strategy. The world-wide effort adds up to three names, two engines and five body styles manufactured in three countries on two continents to create 800,000 annual units destined for 59 global markets.
Mystique, with formal front Mercury chrome grille that's an obvious variation from Contour's Taurus-esque prow, carries a higher content of convenience items on the inside and segments to only two trim levels.
Mystique's active persona begins on a rigid frame with wheelbase extended to set up a smooth ride and enlarge backseat legroom. The independent subframe-mounted front suspension with anti-roll bar attaches by drop links directly to new low-friction struts, and Ford's Quadralink independent rear arrangement adds a form of passive rear wheel steering. Apply sticky radial tires and the resultant vehicle exhibits highly predictable driving characteristics when cornering, braking or accelerating.
Safety elements range from a cellular body structure to high tensile boron steel door braces, dual airbags, anti-submarine front seats and child-proof rear door locks.
In the power department, Mystique's base engine consists of the iron-block Zetec in-line-4 plant fortified by dual overhead cams, four valves in each cylinder and sequential fuel injection. Its horsepower runs to 125, and fuel economy figures reach beyond 30 miles per gallon for cruising on the highway.
Mystique's optional all-aluminum 2.5-liter twin-cam Duratec V6 pumps the action up to 170 hp.
This remarkable engine, one of the smallest and lightest of all V6 plants, requires only routine maintenance such as fluids and filters for its first 100,000 miles -- which means no high-priced tune-ups.
Specify the V6 and Mystique earns disc brakes for all wheels, a condition necessary for the optional anti-lock braking system.
The cab-forward interior features the twin front seats separated by a new console, plus a 3-person rear bench with split-folding seatback and trunk pass-through. Mystique GS includes a number of comfort and convenience items, but the LS goes further with power controls and luxury trimmings.
Base prices make a revised Mystique more competitive, as Mystique GS begins at $14,495 with 4-speed automatic transmission included. The volume model, a GS with air conditioning and more power controls inside, totals to $17,400, while deluxe Mystique LS with auto transmission and the Duratec engine crowns the line at $19,295.
1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 MERCURY MISTIQUE Specs |
| Description: |
Compact sedan |
| Model Options: |
Compact sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
106.5 inches |
| Overall Length: |
184.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4
DOHC 2.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum
V6: 4-disc
All: Opt. ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
V6: 21/30 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 14,000 to $ 20,000 |
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