Mercury to build a rwd V8 Cougar? - Ford Forums

Marqman · 12-04-2001, 06:19

In the Jan. edition of Motor Trend they are reporting that Mercury may build a V8 RWD Cougar based on the upcoming 2004 Mustang. They are reporting that it may come with unique sheetmetal as compared to the Mustang. This will be cool if they do this.

Bobnoxious · 12-04-2001, 14:42

I have talked to people in a Cougar club that I belong to who work for Ford and they said that is the plan. At the moment those plans and the 2004 Mustang are on hold due to funds. However, that article confirms rummers I have heard about the 2004 Cougar for about a year. ..:s6:

Cobra · 12-05-2001, 03:27

this sounds good. I thought the Cougar was beeing axed next year or ceased production but i always thought it was a nice car just needed more grunt. I hope if this happens that the v8 is larger than the 3.9L Lima or whatever its called. put at least the the 4.6L Quad cam Modular from the Mustang, and improve a few stuff like brakes, stiffer suspension, and those very uncumfortable seats.

Marqman · 12-06-2001, 06:39

I loved the Cougar in 86. The rear end on it looked cool. Better then the stang of tha year. They even had the FI motor like the stang. Perhaps a mild collector someday!

ProbeGT-R · 12-07-2001, 05:39

Screw the Cougar... bring back da Probe. :D

12-07-2001, 10:06

hehehe.....yeah they need to bring back the probe....(hmmmm a V8 RWD probe)...anyway I like cougars also and hope it is as badass as it needs to be. Does anyone have any images?(Ive seen some of the '04 stang floating around)

Bobnoxious · 12-07-2001, 10:47

No spy images yet. Probe was around for how many years? Flush, maybe they can bring it back as a Mazda for you. I like the last generation Probes but no reason to get offensive you know!!:s3

jbr12 · 12-07-2001, 15:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Marqman
I loved the Cougar in 86. The rear end on it looked cool. Better then the stang of tha year. They even had the FI motor like the stang. Perhaps a mild collector someday!

I had an 86 Cougar LS... besides it being a rust bucket, it treated me good up until I sold it....

12-07-2001, 23:26

Hey Bobnoxious- The new Cougars (99-00) are just Gen.3 Porbes anyhow! But i agree bringing them back isn't the best idea. Mazda's upcoming RX-8 is just plain awsome!

Fformula88 · 12-08-2001, 08:21

There may be hope for a new front drive Ford sport coupe (aka Probe) if they do move the Cougar to RWD. Only if Ford still wants to compete in that market anyway... and they might not want to put out any potential competition to the SVT Focus.

Cougar is a Gen 3 Probe? Not really. Yes it did replace the Probe as a FWD sport coupe and it is built at the Probe's former factory but all similarities end there. The Probe was a re-bodied Mazda MX-6 with Mazda powertrains. The Cougar is built off of the Contour chassis with Ford Powertrain. The Cougar and Probe are both 3 door hatchs with FWD, but thats where any commonality ends.