2003 Mercury Messenger Concept
Price |
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Weight |
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Engine |
4.6 liter aluminum V8 |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic | ||
Aspiration |
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Chassis |
Monocoque w/tub chassis | ||
HP |
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Torque |
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HP/Liter |
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HP/Weight |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
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(from Ford Press Release)
In ancient Roman mythology, Mercury was the god of speed and agility
and the messenger of the heavens.
At the North American International Auto Show, Mercury is a brand
sending a message that modern design will lead its rejuvenation,
beginning with its new Messenger concept coupe.
Mercury is returning to its roots as a design leader introducing the
Messenger concept, a distinctive and energetic high-performance
two-seat sports coupe.
The Messenger concept car represents the first expression of
Mercury's new design DNA with a clean, technical appearance that
begins to establish the look of Mercury products still to come.
Mercury will introduce four new products over the next four years
including a minivan, a small sport utility and two cars.
"The body surface reflects the car's power and grace, with flowing
body lines that are accented with purposeful air intakes and
outlets," says Gerry McGovern, design director, Lincoln Mercury.
"The dynamic fluidity of the Messenger's lean and taut form is
expressed at rest as much as it is in movement."
Exterior Design
Exterior
The Messenger's proportions are the direct result of the dramatic
vehicle architecture - clean and sculpted with a tautness and
agility that transcends the vehicle's design and handling
characteristics.
It is a vehicle designed to be uncompromised in capability and
performance. The long hood houses a powerful 4.6-liter modular V-8
engine. The energetic stance and supple appearance of the Messenger
are enhanced by 20-inch wheels with 305mm wide tires on the rear and
19-inch wheels with 275mm wide tires on the front - a tire/wheel
combination that allows the car to firmly put down onto the pavement
all the power the V-8 can generate.
The spoke wheels have a turbine theme, with vanes that reflect the
appearance of the Mercury "flying M" logo. The functional vanes help
direct airflow over the vented brake disc and high performance brake
calipers, further communicating the car's high performance
capabilities.
One aspect of Mercury's future design DNA is embodied by the stacked
element theme at the front of the vehicle with distinctive front
lights and vertical grill elements. The rear lights convey the DNA
message with sequential taillights that repeat the theme.
Large, beautifully sculpted front air scoops and outlets at the
front and rear of the vehicle provide a purposeful and powerful
look.
Interior Design
Interior
The compact and efficient exterior package provides a cockpit-like
driving environment inside, with the cockpit placed directly between
the wheels to further emphasize the car's proportions.
The Messenger interior is designed to be taut, innovative and
functional -- technologically advanced, yet intuitive to use,
providing innovative stowage and space within a compact package. The
interior is the embodiment of Mercury's new DNA direction.
The design of the door panels echoes the shape of the exterior body
side feature, with the interior armrest resting upon the shape of
the exterior air vent sheet metal on the doors. The design of the
doors emphasizes the perception of a protective environment.
All displays in the cockpit emit minimum levels of information to
facilitate quick and concise driver response. The instrument panel
is designed with primary focus zones that have intuitive interfaces
to keep the driver constantly informed. Switchgear is minimized to
reduce distraction.
"This vehicle is driver-focused, from the commanding seating
position to the way the vehicle interfaces with the person behind
the wheel," says McGovern. "Use of the controls inside the cockpit
is intuitive."
The seats in the Messenger are mounted laterally to the tunnel and
rocker panel to further strengthen the lightweight aluminum
hydro-formed monocoque, while forming part of the integral occupant
safety cell.
The central console incorporates a centrally mounted chronograph.
The clock, like all key elements, is in close proximity to the
driver to allow split-second comprehension and reaction during
high-performance driving.
A Look Back - A Look Ahead
Design inspiration for
the Mercury Messenger goes back to Mercury's roots and gives a
message of where Mercury is going in the future.
In Roman mythology, Mercury was not only the messenger of the gods.
This son of Zeus was also god of commerce and travel. He was
accurate, reliable and swift. Edsel Ford's vision at Mercury's start
in 1938 was to produce vehicles that were refined with an emphasis
on design. Reliability and swiftness were admirable attributes for a
new automotive brand. Similarly, Mercury's modern mission is to
capture the American driving experience through innovation and
design.
McGovern on Messenger and Mercury Design
"Messenger is about
taut, dynamic surfaces. It's charismatic and modern," says McGovern.
"It's about intelligence, connectivity and it's about distinction.
All of these themes will be developed further in Mercury cars and
trucks of the near future.
"The Mercury Messenger may be the ultimate dream car - but what it
represents is the essence of what Mercury is becoming.
"Mercury is to be a design-driven brand - the Mercury DNA is
delivering vehicles that are energetic, distinctive, intelligent and
charismatic," says McGovern. "On the outside, its vehicles will
feature proportion and package efficiency with optimized surface
language that is clean and simple, lean and taut, with drama of
attitude, produced with a product design approach.
"The next-generation Mercury products will feature a distinct new
front-end appearance with vertically stacked elements combined with
a horizontal grille theme. They'll have a family resemblance, but be
distinct in their own automotive genre. Interiors will provide a
contemporary environment that is technically advanced, with
innovative seating, comfort with simplicity, using high-tech
materials. Functions that interface with the driver and passengers
will be logical and storage opportunities will be creative, says
McGovern."
General
The Mercury Messenger is a high performance, two-seat sports car
powered by a V-8 classically driving the rear wheels.
Engine/Drive train
Front engine, rear wheel drive.
All-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8
6-speed automatic sequential gearbox
Body and Chassis
Unique monocoque construction using a composite / aluminum hybrid
'tub' chassis with super-formed aluminum panels bonded to it. The
result is a body with high torsional rigidity providing excellent
ride and handling properties. Occupant protection is enhanced and
noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) is reduced by this method of
construction.
Wheels/Brakes/Suspension
Rear 18 spoke 20 x 10J cast alloy wheels with Goodyear 305/40R20
tires
Front 18 spoke 19 x 9J cast alloy wheels with Goodyear 275/40/R19
tires
High performance Brembo power assisted brakes, anti-lock brake
system using Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Front - 355mm vented
discs with 4 piston calipers
Rear - 355mm vented discs with 4 piston calipers
Computer active suspension adjusts ride height and dynamics to suit
driving style, speed and road conditions with 'intelligent' traction
control
Electronically actuated parking brake
Steering
Power assisted variable ratio rack and pinion
Dimensions
Length 4533mm / 178.5"
Width 1938mm / 76.3"
Height 1304mm / 51.3"
Wheelbase 2825mm / 111.2"
Front track 1662mm / 65.4"
Rear track 1650mm / 65"
Trunk volume 340 liters
Legroom 1084mm / 42.6"
Headroom 943mm / 38"
Safety and Security
Integral safety cell structure
Personal Safety System
Global vehicle theft location system
Self-leveling high-intensity 'projector' headlamps
LED technology brake lights with faster response for additional
safety
Automatically monitored and adjusted tire pressure sensing system
Comfort and Convenience
Independent climate control for driver and passenger with pollen
filtration
THX certified digital CD/Radio Hi-fi system. Automatic volume
control linked to vehicle speed
Hands free telephone capability
Rain sensing windshield wipers
Automatically dimming interior rear view mirror
Powered and heated exterior rear view mirrors
Height and reach adjustable steering column
Low-E glass to reduce UV and heat build up
Stowage space behind seats with integral child seat fittings