2010 Mercury Milan and Hybrid launched

by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury. November 20, 2008.

The 2010 Mercury Milan has been launched at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, offering up a fresh new face to the unloved midsize sedan, along with new engines shared with the 2010 Ford Fusion.

The new Mercury Milan will offer two new engine options for the 2010 model, namely a 175 hp 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, and a 240 hp 3.0-litre V6. Ford claims the new inline-4 engine offers better fuel economy than the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. Additionally, a new hybrid model will join the range with a 155 hp 2.5-litre 4-cylinder with 184 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT transmission, and backed up by an electric system that can power the car at up to 75 kph without using petrol, while claiming a total city-driving range of more than 1100 km on one full tank.

The changes to the exterior design were focused on the grille, fenders, hood, and front and rear fascias. With all models, the interior features metallic new finishes on the instrument panel that carry through on the center console, doors and steering wheel. The all new instrument panel is finished with a soft upper and lower skin and supposedly has much less hard plastic than Japanese competitors. A redesigned leather wrapped steering wheel with form fitting palm swells, and new shifter, and wrapped and padded armrests have been added. The seats received a makeover, as well. The seat contour has been revised, with more side support, contrasting stitching and leather inserts.

The Milan also has available features such as Ford’s SYNC multimedia entertainment system with Bluetooth phone, a Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM) with Cross Traffic Alert, Voice-Activated Navigation, SIRIUS satellite radio, SIRIUS Travel Link to provide users with real-time traffic data, Reverse Camera System, and a capless fuel-filler system.

All Mercury Milan models will be built alongside the Ford Fusion at Ford’s Mexican plant and will be in American showrooms in spring 2009. It should reach Dubai and GCC dealers by late summer, although limited engines and options are expected.