Mercury Mariner Hybrid: Autoblog First Look

The Mercury Mariner hybrid was due to reach showrooms as a 2007 model but has been given a green light for later this year. Overall, the Mariner is exactly like the Escape hybrid, mating a 2.3-liter DOHC Duratec four-cylinder engine with an Atkinson operating cycle and two AC electric motors. This powertrain is able to propel the Mariner to 25 mph solely with electric power. The Mariner also offers the optional Safety Package that includes side chest air bags fro the front seats and side air curtain rollover protection system that senses an imminent and automatically deploys front and rear air bags. More pictures at the link.