With the Lincoln Aviator moving to a car-based platform next year, Mercury has been given carte blanche to move the 2006 Mountaineer into a more premium slot, offering more powerful engines, more interior refinement and a host of new options. The new Mountaineer makes advancements in style, safety and versatility and all of that can be found at the link.
The Mountaineer is an evolution of the Mercury DNA, accentuating the signature waterfall grille and new satin aluminum finish trim in the center of the bumper, a trait seen on the Mercury Mariner. Even the outside rearview mirrors have gotten design attention. The mirrors are larger while offering a significant reduction is wind noise. New taillights have clear lenses and a new liftgate and satin aluminum accents update the Mountaineer?s look from behind.
Under the hood, the 2006 Mountaineer powers up with Ford?s new three-valve 292 hp 4.6 liter V-8. The optional engine is mated with a six-speed automatic that helps the truck give smooth acceleration and improved gas mileage. The standard 4.0-liter V-6 is improved and offers a five-speed auto.
Tucked in the rocker panels are deployable power running boards. When retracted, the running boards are fully integrated into the rocker panels. Satin aluminum trim accentuates the running boards and ties in the new Mountaineer look.
Those outside may appreciate the exterior changes, but drivers and passengers will love the upgrades inside. New seats, instrument panel and materials add to the sophistication of the new truck. Work has been done to ensure the flattest load floor in the segment when the second and third row seats are folded. The third row offers a power folding option.
Time was even spent designing a new-style door handle, one that has a contour that follows the shape of a human hand at rest. Only a natural pull-back motion is needed to release the door.
Mercury has not spent so much time on looks, comfort and power to ignore safety. The Mountaineer uses what Ford calls the Personal Safety System, which is a collection of safety technologies. Part of the PSS is AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control uses state-of-the-art gyroscope technology to sense a roll condition and them deploys countermeasures through braking and engine controls to attempt to bring the vehicle back under control.
And if that wasn?t enough, the 2006 Mountaineer (and we guess the updated 2006 Explorer too) gets the benefits of a stiffer frame, an all-new independent rear suspension and a revised front suspension, bigger brakes and improved steering making it a formidable force in the world of body-on-frame mid-size trucks.
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