The 2000 Mercury Cougar's advanced styling and fun-to-drive dynamics offer a sporty alternative to the usual small car styling.

"Cougar's sophisticated New Edge design and exuberant driving personality have earned it a whole new audience," says Mike Jennings, Cougar brand manager. "With two great engine choices – the responsive 2.0-liter four-cylinder Zetec and the highly regarded 2.5-liter V-6 multivalve Duratec – buyers don't need to make compromises on performance."

Powertrain

The Zetec I-4 engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission and generates 125 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 130 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Duratec V-6 is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission and delivers 170 hp at 6,250 and 165 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm.

Safety Features

Cougar also comes standard with an emergency trunk release, designed to allow a child or adult trapped in the trunk to open it from the inside. The glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle will be factory installed, standard equipment on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

Inside, Cougar's redesigned floor console has two cup-holders. Nonsmokers can select an option package featuring a power point and tray instead of the standard cigarette lighter.

The 2000 Cougar offers option packages such as: an I-4 Convenience Group, a V-6 Convenience Group and a V-6 Sport Group.

I-4 Convenience Group

• Speed control
• Remote keyless entry
• Illuminated entry
• Rear window wiper/washer

• Speed control
• Remote keyless entry
• Illuminated entry
• Rear window wiper/washer
• Electronic AM/FM stereo compact disc player with premium sound

V-6 Sport Group

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Light group
• Auxiliary warning system
• Fog lamps
• Spoiler
• Four-wheel disc brakes
• 16-inch aluminum wheels
• Upgraded sport seats with adjustable headrest and manual driver lumbar support
• Bright door sill plate