Mercury Tracer

Mercury Tracer

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company Mazda
Production	1988–1999
Predecessor	Mercury Lynx
Successor	Ford Focus (Mexico)
Layout	FF layout

The Mercury Tracer is a compact car that was sold by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. It was based on the platform of the Mazda 323, replacing the European-derived Mercury Lynx. The 1991 and newer car is the Mercury version of the Ford Escort.

1987–1989

First generation

Production	1987–1989
Assembly	Hermosillo, Mexico Hiroshima, Japan
Class	Subcompact
Body style	3-door hatchback 5-door station wagon 5-door hatchback
Engine	1.6 L Mazda B6 I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed Mazda F3A automatic
Wheelbase	94.7 in (2,410 mm)
Length	Hatchback: 162.0 in (4,110 mm) Wagon: 169.7 in (4,310 mm)
Width	65.2 in (1,660 mm)
Height	Hatchback: 53.0 in (1,350 mm) Wagon: 53.7 in (1,364 mm)
Related	Ford Laser Mazda 323

Mercury Tracer 5-door

Mercury Tracer wagon

The Tracer was introduced in 1987 for the 1988 model year. It was a rebadged version of the Ford Laser model already sold in Asia and Australia, which was itself a restyled Mazda 323. The 5-door hatchbacks were built in Hermosillo, Mexico, and the 3-door hatchbacks were assembled (along with the Mazda 323) in Hiroshima, Japan. This was the only generation of the Mercury Tracer sold in Canada.

Engines

• 1.6 L B6 I4, 82 horsepower (61 kW)/92 ft·lbf (125 N·m)

1991–1996

Second generation

Production	1991–1996
Assembly	Hermosillo, Mexico
Class	Compact
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Engine	1.9 L CVH I4 1.8 L Mazda BP I4
Transmission	5-speed M5 manual 4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2500 mm)
Length	Wagon: 171.3 in (4,351 mm) Sedan: 170.9 in (4,341 mm)
Width	66.7 in (1,690 mm)
Height	Wagon: 52.7 in (1,340 mm) Wagon: 53.6 in (1,361 mm)
Curb weight	2498 lb (1133 kg)
Related	Ford Escort Mazda 323 Mazda Protegé

Ford replaced the hatchback-only Tracer in 1991 with a twin of the Ford Escort, based on the Mazda 323's B platform. The Tracer LTS (which used the more powerful 1.8L Mazda engine) was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1991.

Engines

• 1.9 L (1,859 cc) CVH I4, 88 hp (66 kW) 108 ft·lbf (146 N·m)
• 1.8 L (1,839 cc) BP I4, 127 hp (95 kW) 114 ft·lbf (154 N·m) LTS

Trim levels

Sedan

• base • 1991–1996
• LTS • 1991–1994

Wagon

• base • 1991–1996

1997–1999

Third generation

Production	1997–1999
Assembly	Wayne, Michigan
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Engine	2.0 L SPI 2000 I4
Transmission	5-speed IB5 manual 4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2,500 mm)
Length	Wagon: 172.7 in (4,387 mm) Sedan: 174.7 in (4,440 mm)
Width	67.0 in (1,700 mm)
Height	Sedan: 53.3 in (1,350 mm) Wagon: 53.9 in (1,369 mm)
Related	Ford Escort Mazda Protegé

Mercury Tracer wagon

The Tracer and Escort were updated in 1997 with a redesigned exterior and interior, and a new engine. The platform remained the same as before.

The Tracer wagon largely retained the same body style, gaining only the new interior, front end & fascia, side-view mirrors, door handles, badging, and slightly restyled taillamps & reflectors.

All Tracer models were discontinued in 1999 along with the Escort wagon. Mercury sold 23,146^[1] Tracers in its last model year.

Trim levels were base (sometimes called GS) and LS, and there was also a Trio appearance package as well (as with the 91-96 model), sold between 1998 and 1999. The LS was the luxury model, offering some options not common in a compact model such as leather interior, key-less entry, power windows/door locks, etc. LS models also had tachometers, alloy wheels, etc. that were not on the base model.

Trim levels

Sedan

• GS • 1997–1999
• LS • 1997–1999

Wagon

• LS • 1997–1999

Engines

• 2.0 L (1986 cc) SPI 2000 I4, 110 hp

Proposed 2011 revival

Mercury had announced that the new Ford Focus-based compact Mercury would be called the Tracer. This model of the Tracer would have started production and been sold as a 2011 model. The Tracer was cancelled along with the cancellation of the Mercury brand in 2010. The Tracer will be replaced by a Focus based Lincoln. Reports suggest this model may be the production version of the C concept shown in 2008.^[2][3]

References

1. ^ "Ford Motor Company Sets New Full Year U.S. Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/20010103/press033466.html. Retrieved 2009-04-28. 
2. ^ http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045769_lincoln-plans-7-new-models-including-first-ever-c-segment-vehicle
3. ^ David Philips [1] (2010-02-15) "Mercury to revive Tracer name on new compact" Detroit News http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/autosblog/index.php?blogid=959. Retrieved 2010-02-22 "Ford Motor Co.'s Mercury brand ... will market a new compact car based on the forthcoming 2012 Ford Focus, the automaker confirmed this week. And Mercury will dust off an old name - Tracer - in joining the latest rush to sell smaller vehicles in the United States."