ATHLETIC COUGAR EMPHASIZES DRIVING DYNAMICS

Take highly distinctive, sophisticated New Edge styling. Blend it with exhilarating driving character. Add a healthy dose of fun for good measure. The result is the 1999 Mercury Cougar.

"Cougar takes Mercury in a new direction with its fresh interpretation of a sports coupe," said Al Giombetti, Mercury group brand manager. "Cougar gives Mercury a one-of-a-kind, stylish, fun-to-drive entry in the small specialty segment aimed at attracting new customers to our showrooms and enhancing Mercury's image among younger customers."

Cougar's New Edge design -- clean, crisp intersection of lines and surfaces -- creates an impression of movement. Twin projector beam front headlamps lend a sophisticated look and presence, and its striking rear lamps with distinctive "blisters" preserve visibility from all angles.

On the inside, Cougar has a light and spacious cabin with individual bucket-style sport seats, sculpted for comfort and support. The instrument panel is minimalist and functional with graphics that have a clean, technical appearance.

Based on the award winning Mercury Mystique platform, Cougar's suspension and steering elements were recalibrated for true sports car handling and performance. Buyers have a choice of the responsive, free-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 2.5-liter V-6 multivalve engines.

The Zetec I-4 engine is teamed 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 linked either with the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic and delivers 170 hp at 6,250 and 165 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm.

Cougar features optional head and chest side air bags for the driver and front passenger -- a first in this segment. The side air bag system is designed to cushion the head as well as the chest during a side impact.