Full Specs on 2008 Mercury Mariner SUV

DEARBORN, Mich. — Mercury has released specifications and details on its 2008 Mariner small SUV, which has been redesigned and will go on sale early in 2007.

Mercury Brand Manager Kim Irwin said it is Mercury's "first product to truly deliver 100 percent of the design DNA for Mercury as a brand."

That DNA includes a front end with an "eyebrow" lamp design and a larger grille with a bigger, centrally located Mercury waterfall badge. It also involves a redesigned interior that is intended to be more "technical-looking" — which means a floor-mounted shifter, new seats with Alcantara trim and chrome accents, as well as a space in the center console that can hold a laptop computer.

Among the technical upgrades is the addition of speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering. The 2008 Mariner also has Ford's roll stability control system (AdvanceTrac with RSC) and standard side curtain airbags.

The standard Mariner engine is a 2.3-liter Duratec four-cylinder that makes 153 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. There's an optional 3.0-liter Duratec V6 that makes 200 hp and 193 lb-ft.

A hybrid version of the Mariner will be available as well, powered by a 133-hp 2.3-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine along with an electric motor.

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