Mercury Cougar CDW27
After skipping the 1998 model year, Mercury introduced the eighth-generation Mercury Cougar for the 1999 model year. Serving as the replacement for the Ford Probe, the first front-wheel drive Cougar shifted market segments from two-door personal luxury coupe to three-door sport compact, introducing the first Mercury sport hatchback coupe since the 1986 Mercury Capri.
While marketed in Europe and Australia under the Ford brand, the eighth-generation Mercury Cougar was the first Mercury car since the 1991–1994 Mercury Capri sold without a direct Ford model equivalent in North America.
The 1999–2002 Cougars were available with two engine options, the 2.0 L Zetec straight-4 engine with 125 hp (93 kW; 127 PS), and the 2.5 L Duratec V6 with 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS).
Initially outranking its predecessor in sales, the eighth-generation Cougar (marketed towards younger buyers) struggled to compete for sales against sedans (the Mercury Sable and Grand Marquis) in the Mercury model line. Posing a challenge to sales personnel acquainted with marketing luxury-segment vehicles to new-car buyers along with attracting younger buyers into Mercury showrooms.
Mercury Cougar CDW27
After skipping the 1998 model year, Mercury introduced the eighth-generation Mercury Cougar for the 1999 model year. Serving as the replacement for the Ford Probe, the first front-wheel drive Cougar shifted market segments from two-door personal luxury coupe to three-door sport compact, introducing the first Mercury sport hatchback coupe since the 1986 Mercury Capri.
While marketed in Europe and Australia under the Ford brand, the eighth-generation Mercury Cougar was the first Mercury car since the 1991–1994 Mercury Capri sold without a direct Ford model equivalent in North America.
The 1999–2002 Cougars were available with two engine options, the 2.0 L Zetec straight-4 engine with 125 hp (93 kW; 127 PS), and the 2.5 L Duratec V6 with 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS).
Initially outranking its predecessor in sales, the eighth-generation Cougar (marketed towards younger buyers) struggled to compete for sales against sedans (the Mercury Sable and Grand Marquis) in the Mercury model line. Posing a challenge to sales personnel acquainted with marketing luxury-segment vehicles to new-car buyers along with attracting younger buyers into Mercury showrooms.