The 1988 Mercury Cougar
While there are no significant improvement everywhere from the vehicle, adequate revisions were built to qualify this much more than a carryover seasons. Ford affirmed that 1989 would produce an all-new Cougar on a fresh chassis, so dealers anticipated greater volume inside showrooms-and these people were correct. The 1988 product seasons proved to be an excellent one when it comes to Cougar as business leaped.
1988 Cougar XR-7
The 1988 Cougar XR-7 today 
highlighted an impressive brand-new monochromatic paint program, for sale in Oxford White, average Scarlet or Ebony. They included body-colored part moldings, grille and external mirrors; blacked-out window trim; black colored home handles and key surrounds; and body-colored 15″ aluminum tires that originated in new 1987 Mustang GT (argent wheels had been recommended on XR-7). Surprisingly, there have been no special “XR-7” C-pillar emblems, nevertheless the common LS emblems rather. So there got special pinstriping for any XR-7, a decal that rode over the top shoulder range and terminated during the grille. The 1988 Cougar XR-7 had been perhaps the the majority of identifiable of all of the Cougar models from 1983 to 1988 and continues to be desirable right now.
Automatically the XR-7 got an 8.8″ rear differential, considered truly the only Cougar from 1983-88 to own big back shaft. No significant suspension system adjustment are produced. The regular 5.0L V8 motor furthermore didn’t come with power increase nevertheless addition of a split dual fatigue bumped up total productivity 5 ponies to a maximum of 155hp. Again truly the only indication ended up being the 4-speed AOD overdrive sign.
The top reports the XR-7’s inside had been the return from the standard analogue measure cluster, absent since 1986. A V8-spec tachometer ended up being truly the only change from the very last type. Also, the sport steering wheel, shown here, became regular. The entire digital device group had been a choice for XR-7 as well as the LS.
1988 Cougar LS
As the Cougar LS design is literally exactly the same as the last design year, conserve for color options, there had been improvement toward motors. The bottom 3.8L V6 got an inside balances shaft and a multiport energy shot system for smoother procedure and greatly enhanced throttle response. Power was now rated at 140hp now the V6 certainly felt better and receptive than its CFI predecessor. Fuel economy was bumped right up slightly as a result. As with the XR-7 unit, the 5.0L V8 obtained a brand new quasi-dual exhaust for a maximum of 155hp.
Because car insurance in the us was these a pricey and difficult prospect during the 1980s, the concept of ponying up practically U.S. $20,000 (or more) for an XR-7 model and guaranteeing it at full-value was actually, since you may think, not cheap. The difficulty had been that, although the XR-7 got a standard-output V8 and not the performance-oriented HO 5.0 from the Mustang, it had been however considered a “sports” or “performance” unit, thereby thumping right up insurance fees. However, wise Cougar buyers could order a fully-loaded LS product making use of the V8 and possess a virtual XR-7 duplicate, save your self when it comes down to paint plan and wheels, and take pleasure in lower insurance charges. This became a well known move for several buyers while the put marketplace for 1988 Cougars regularly shows a plethora of V8 automobiles.
The 1988 3.8L V6 presented an all-new consumption plenum, lower intake, tube heads, valve protects, extras and brackets, and air intake. The V6 started to firmly appear like the 5.0L V8 in design and looks, and some section are actually contributed within motors.
an illustration from the 3.8L V6 inner balance shaft. It absolutely was installed to provide a counterbalance for further smoothness much less NVH. However, it had been got rid of in 1989 and not gone back to the system, obviously creating maybe not started because profitable as supposed.
Summary
Profit acquired perfectly for the Cougar in 1988, and as the chapter about fourth-generation Cougar sealed, the automobile turned out to be resilient, trustworthy and reliable, and outstanding appreciate your money can buy. Lincoln-Mercury retailers know that the Cougar got an excellent choice in addition they featured forward to the first on the MN12-chassis automobile to help expand their unique income needs.
The age of aero Fox 1983-88 Mercury Cougar turned out to be a very popular one. Just did sales soar up throughout this six-model-year cycle, although age of the “aero” vehicles was now completely swing, as more automakers scrambled to duplicate Ford’s take a look on their automobiles. Where competing GM threw in the towel the rear-drive phase commit front drive (great Prix, Cutlass, Regal, Lumina), and aero-look clones made an appearance (Chrysler LeBaron), Ford had an online lock in the midsize rear-drive deluxe coupe market. The aero Mercury Cougar is, easily, the best vehicles on correct time.
Properties Different to 1988 Cougars:
- MPFI 3.8L V6 engine with interior balances shaft
- Monochromatic XR-7 model (only 12 months for this human body design)
- Cinnabar interior color (best season within body design)
- Rose Quartz/Cinnabar two-tone exterior color (one-year just)
- Method Regatta azure Metallic exterior color (light blues are distinctive every single model seasons)
Technology Specs
V6-232 3.8L Pollutants Recalls 1. 91E14 MAY 92 Recall 91E14 Catalyst Inspection/Replacement – 49 States 2. 91E03 JAN 92 Catalyst Inspection/Replacement Pollutants Remember 91E03