Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2009 Mariner Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford took pride in being the first automaker on the planet to offer a hybrid utility vehicle when it introduced the first battery-assisted Ford Escape in mid-2004. The Escape hybrid has had mixed success over the past few years, but with gas prices hitting $4 per gallon, the Blue Oval is selling every unit it can produce. For the 2008 model year, one in eight Escape sales are hybrids, which is impressive when you consider that it averages $30,000 per vehicle. In 2006, the Escape was joined by the lower volume Mariner Hybrid, giving Ford two entries in the hybrid soft-roader market, and a green model to sell at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.

The Escape got a thorough makeover on the outside for 2008, but most of the mechanicals remain a carryover from the previous generation. For 2009, Ford finished the job on the Escape and its sheet metal sibling from Mercury and the hybrid models followed suit. The changes include a new engine that provides more power and improved efficiency, some cosmetic tweaks, and several technological upgrades. Ford is betting that the changes will improve their footing in the green scene, so we took a loaded Mercury Mariner hybrid into the Autoblog Garage to see if the fuel-sipping CUV could win us over.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid2009MercuryMarinerHybridAutoblog garageAutoblogGarageford motor companyFordMotorCompanygreen techGreenTechhybridmarinermariner hybridMarinerHybridmercurymercury marinermercury mariner hybridMercuryMarinerMercuryMarinerHybridreviewWed, 25 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Auto Show '08: Ford updates Escape and Mariner Hybrids]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/dc-auto-show-08-ford-updates-escape-and-mariner-hybrids/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/dc-auto-show-08-ford-updates-escape-and-mariner-hybrids/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/dc-auto-show-08-ford-updates-escape-and-mariner-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click above to view more high-res pics of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrids

As AutoblogGreen points out, Ford will soon be facing tough competition in the compact hybrid CUV segment with the introduction of the Saturn Vue two-mode hybrid. What better time, then, to update the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid for 2009? The big news is the addition of a new 2.5L four-cylinder to replace the old 2.3L engine. Not only is the new engine larger, but it also adds variable valve timing on the intake to boost power by 17 up to 170 horsepower. The 2.5L also serves as the new base engine for the standard Escape and Mariner, but uses the Atkinson cycle in the hybrid models. Ford's hybrid CUVs also get a new six-speed automatic (correction: only the gas-powered models get the new six-speed automatic), aerodynamic upgrades and new 16-inch low-rolling resistance tires from Michelin. All of these improvements add up to a one mpg gain in fuel economy (correction: fuel economy remains the same for the hybrid models while power goes up), plus more power and usability. Ford hasn't released official fuel economy numbers for the 2009 Escape Hybrid, but it should maintain the same numbers as before, and likewise for the new Mercury Mariner Hybrid.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid


Gallery: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Continue reading DC Auto Show '08: Ford updates Escape and Mariner Hybrids

DC Auto Show '08: Ford updates Escape and Mariner Hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Ford Escape Hybrid2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid2009FordEscapeHybrid2009MercuryMarinerHybridFord Escape HybridFordEscapeHybridTue, 22 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST