Mercury Sable

Mercury Sable
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercury (Ford)
Production	December 1985–April 29, 2005 June 2007–May 21, 2009
Model years	1986-2005 2008-2009
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size (1985–2005) Full-size (2007–2009)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercury Marquis (1986) Mercury Montego (2008)
Successor	1986-2005: Mercury Milan (2005) 2008-2009: none

The Mercury Sable is a four-door sedan and station wagon marketed over five generations by Mercury for model years 1986-2005 as a mid-size car and 2008-2009 as a full size car, with a hiatus for model years 2006 and 2007, when a rebadged variant was marketed as the Mercury Montego. During its 21-year production run, the Sable was itself a badge-engineered variant of the contemporary Ford Taurus.

Along with the Taurus, the Sable was a milestone design, highly influential vehicle in the marketplace, with a total of 2,112,374 Sables marketed from 1985-2005.

Background

Ford had lagged in introducing mid-size front-wheel-drive cars to compete against General Motors' Chevrolet Citation and its best-selling Chevrolet Celebrity/Pontiac 6000/Oldsmobile Cutlass/Buick Century quartet as well as Chrysler's well-received K cars and Japanese offerings from Honda, Datsun/Nissan and Toyota. The Mercury brand suffered even more from this delay. In 1982, Ford launched the redesigned Mercury Cougar to start a reinvigoration of the Mercury brand with new aerodynamic designs, and started development of the Sable. Because of this design, the Sable was a resounding success and launched Mercury into a new design era, as well as influencing the other American automakers to follow suit and create more aerodynamic cars, thus ending the "boxy" cars of the 1970s and 1980s.

The Taurus and Sable siblings used flush aerodynamic composite headlights. Ford was the first to produce and sell vehicles with such headlights in the U.S., when it introduced the Lincoln Mark VII in 1983. To do so, Ford (among other automakers) had to lobby the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to have them approved. The Taurus and Sable were the first domestically produced, mainstream sedans to use the new lights. They also went beyond the Audi 5000, with which they were often compared, to adopt a grille-less "bottom breather" nose, first pioneered by the Citroën DS in the 1950s, and also used briefly on the Mustang.

The Sable was unveiled along with the Taurus in a resounding fashion. For its aerodynamic shape, the launch was held in MGM Studios Soundstage 85, where Gone with the Wind was filmed. Ford workers came into the room, which was decorated in space-age decor, holding cups shaped like flying saucers and the Taurus and Sable were sitting behind a curtain, their outlines silhouetting. Then, with the flashing of strobe lights and a drum-roll, the curtain was pulled back and the two cars were revealed to the public. The Sable's design was considered so futuristic, that it was called by the press "The car that came from the moon". This introduction approach was used previously during the late 1950s by Ford to introduce a new car during a live broadcast called The Edsel Show.

The bodyshell was smooth and aerodynamic. The Sable twin had a wraparound "lightbar" with two headlights and a low-wattage stretch in between. Aircraft-style doors were used to reduce wind noise, and the handles were recessed. The Sable also had large glass areas with slim pillars, and were flush with the body. The rear glass wrapped fully around, and the B-pillars were painted black to give the illusion that the front and rear glass were connected. The interior was available with bucket seats — very rare for most U.S. midsize sedans — and the dashboard wrapped around the driver and fed into the door panels to create more of a "cockpit" feel.

First generation (1986–1991)

See also: Ford Taurus (first generation)

First generation
Overview
Production	December 1985–1991
Assembly	Atlanta, Georgia Chicago, Illinois
Designer	Jack Telnack
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Related	Ford Taurus Lincoln Continental
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L HSC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission	3-speed ATX automatic 4-speed AXOD automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106 in (2,700 mm)
Length	190.9 in (4,850 mm) (1986–88 sedan) 192.2 in (4,880 mm) (1989–1991 sedan) 193.2 in (4,910 mm) (1989–1991 station wagon) 191.9 in (4,870 mm) (1986–88 station wagon)
Width	70.8 in (1,800 mm)
Height	54.3 in (1,380 mm) (sedan) 55.1 in (1,400 mm) (station wagon)

1989-1991 Mercury Sable GS wagon

The Sable was introduced in December 1985 as a 1986 model. It was available in two models, base GS and high-end LS in sedan and station wagon body styles. Initial Sable sales were strong, and the Sable sold around 300,000 units its first year. Setting the Sable apart from the Taurus was its front "lightbar", a low-wattage lamp between the front headlamps. This later became a signature for all Mercury models in the late 1980s (aside from the Grand Marquis and Cougar). In various forms, it was copied by many automakers' vehicles launched in the early 1990s.

For the first year on the market, Sable buyers had the choice of a 90 hp (67 kW) HSC 4-cylinder mated to a three-speed automatic transaxle or a 140 hp (104 kW) Vulcan V6 with a four-speed automatic, with the latter having much higher sales. 4-cylinder Sable sales were so poor that the engine was dropped in 1987 (it remained an option for the Taurus until 1991). Ford's 3.8 L Essex V6 was added to the line-up for 1988. Although the power output was rated at the same 140 hp (104 kW) as the 3.0 L engine, this large V6 produced 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) of torque, a welcome addition, especially in the heavier station wagons. However, the 3.8 suffered from premature head gasket failure, which was primarily a fault with Ford's supplier of gaskets, not with the engine itself. Some also attribute this to reduced under-hood cooling. Unlike the Taurus, no manual transmission was offered in the Sable.

The Sable had just received small changes over the years, mostly in terms of equipment and cosmetics. In 1991, sales dipped to just over 100,000 units, before a new generation of Sable was launched later that year.

Export

The first-generation Sable was not sold in Mexico, New Zealand, or Europe as a Mercury. Instead, it was sold as a Ford Taurus (although the lightbar grille still wore Mercury badging).

Models

Model	Year	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
GS	1986	2.5 L CFI HSC I4	90 hp (67 kW)	130 ft·lbf (176 N·m)	3-speed ATX automatic
GS	1986–1991	3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6	140 hp (104 kW)	160 ft·lbf (217 N·m)	4-speed AXOD automatic (1986–90) 4-speed AXOD-E automatic (1991)
LS
GS	1988–1991	3.8 L SFI Essex V6	140 hp (104 kW)	215 ft·lbf (292 N·m)
LS

Second generation (1992–1995)

See also: Ford Taurus (second generation)

Second generation
Overview
Production	1991–1995
Assembly	Atlanta, Georgia Chicago, Illinois
Designer	Jack Telnack
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Related	Ford Taurus Lincoln Continental Ford Windstar
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.8 L Essex V6
Transmission	4-speed AXOD-E/AX4S automatic 4-speed AX4N automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106 in (2,700 mm)
Length	192.2 in (4,880 mm) (sedan) 193.2 in (4,910 mm) (wagon)
Width	71.2 in (1,810 mm)
Height	54.4 in (1,380 mm) (sedan) 55.5 in (1,410 mm) (wagon)

Second-generation 1994-1995 Mercury Sable LS wagon

The Sable received its first significant cosmetic update in 1991, which modernized the interior and the front and rear fascias. The operation cost Ford $650 million at the time. With the older model facing slumping sales, this new model brought sales back up again, with 410,000 examples sold through 1992, a number unheard of even today. While the design was basically the same, every body panel on the sedan except for the doors was changed.; on the station wagon all the sheet metal to the rear of the cowl was the same as that of the 1986–1995 Ford Taurus wagon. The interior was also redesigned, and included an optional passenger-side airbag, a first in its class. The Taurus, sister car of the Sable, was the best-selling car in the United States for every year of this cosmetic update.

The base "GS" and luxury "LS" trim levels were carried over from the previous generation. A front cloth bench seat was standard on GS sedans and wagons; cloth bucket seats were available on GS sedans only. Higher-end cloth bucket seats were standard on LS sedans; a bench seat was a no-cost option. A front bench was standard on LS wagons, with bucket seats optional. Leather seating surfaces were available on all LS Sables.

For 1993, unpopular optional features such as the "InstaClear" heated windshield were eliminated. For 3.0 L V6 engines, the drive belt system became a single-belt setup for 1993 (previously, the 3.0 L alternator had used a separate belt). A passenger-side airbag became standard in 1992, and a redesigned drivers side airbag and steering wheel came in late 1993. Also for 1994, some 3.0 L models began receiving the new AX4N transmission.

Also for 1993, Ford Canada hand-built 40 Mercury Sables powered by SHO V6 engines as part of their AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) program and released 20 to the public. Using aluminum suspension elements and aluminum body panels, held together with a spot welding process and adhesive joining process developed specifically for this vehicle, the end result was a car that was 400 pounds lighter than a SHO Taurus. In 1995, Multimatic Motorsports entered one of these vehicles in the One Lap of America event, finishing 15th overall and 1st in the Mid-Priced Sedan class.

The wagon version was available with mostly the same options as the sedan versions. Wagons had a maximum of 81.1 cubic feet (2.30 m³) of cargo area with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down. They featured a 2-way liftgate (raise the entire liftgate or just the window), a roof rack with crossbar and tie-downs, an optional rear-facing third seat, a lockable under-floor compartment, and an optional fold-out picnic table. With both rear split seats in the upright position, standard cargo capacity was 45.7 cubic feet (1.29 m³). Wagons that were equipped with the front bench seat and rear folding seat could seat eight people.

The last year of this updated Sable generation was 1995. For the 1995 model year, the rare LTS trim level was added. It featured leather bucket seats, Taurus LX-style alloy wheels, special cladding, and many leather-wrapped interior trim parts. The LTS trim had either the standard 3.0 L Vulcan V6 or the optional 3.8 L Essex V6.

Models

Model	Year	Transmission	Engine	Power	Torque
GS LS	1992–1995	4-speed AXOD-E (AX4S) automatic 4-speed AX4N automatic (some 1994-95)	3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6	140 hp (104 kW)	160 ft·lbf (217 N·m)
LTS	1995
			3.8 L Essex V6	140 hp (104 kW)	215 ft·lbf (292 N·m)

Third generation (1996–1999)

Main article: Ford Taurus (third generation)

Third generation
Overview
Production	June 19, 1995–1999
Assembly	Atlanta, Georgia Chicago, Illinois
Designer	Doug Gaffka (1992)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Related	Ford Taurus Lincoln Continental Ford Windstar
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.0 L Duratec V6
Transmission	4-speed AX4N automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2,760 mm)
Length	199.7 in (5,070 mm) (sedan) 199.1 in (5,060 mm) (station wagon)
Width	73 in (1,900 mm)
Height	55.4 in (1,410 mm) (sedan) 57.6 in (1,460 mm) (station wagon)

1998-1999 Mercury Sable sedan

1996–1997 Mercury Sable LS wagon

1998-1999 Mercury Sable wagon

The 1996 model year saw the first complete redesign for the Sable. Ford hoped the radical redesign would lead to the same success it had had with the 1986 Sable. This generation shared the same dashbard as the Ford Taurus, unlike the previous two generations, which had completely different dashboards from the Taurus. The controversial oval theme was not well received by the press and the public, and is ultimately blamed as the reason for a substantial dip in sales. For this generation, the Sable tried to move slightly upmarket, and as a result, prices rose considerably, also driving away potential buyers. The 1996 Sable was the first model to share sheetmetal with the Taurus. Differences from the Taurus included different front and rear fascias, and the elimination of the rear quarter window. Although the Sable used a less oval based styling, sales still fell.

The 1996 model could be equipped with the 200 hp (149 kW) 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6 as an option. Trim lines stayed the same, with GS as the entry level model and LS as the most luxurious model. The LTS was eliminated. Although all 1998 models had the option of the DOHC Duratec engine, it was only available on the LS for 1999.

In an effort to reverse the declining sales of the Sable, Mercury did major cost cutting for the 1997 model. They carried this further for 1998, by giving it a front end facelift, and cutting the price up to $2,000 in 1999. Both the sedan and wagon taillights were changed from red and amber to all red. Mercury also continued to cut costs, eliminating some options for 1999. In late 1999, four-wheel disc brakes were eliminated on ABS equipped sedans; station wagons retained four-wheel disc brakes.

Models

Model	Year	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
G	1996–1998	3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6	145 hp (108 kW)	170 ft·lbf (230 N·m)	4-speed AX4S automatic 4-speed AX4N automatic
		3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6	200 hp (149 kW)	200 ft·lbf (271 N·m)
LS	1996–1999
GS	1996–1999	3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6	145 hp (108 kW)	170 ft·lbf (230 N·m)
		3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6	200 hp (149 kW)	200 ft·lbf (271 N·m)

Fourth generation (2000–2005)

Main article: Ford Taurus (fourth generation)

Fourth generation
Overview
Production	1999–2005
Assembly	Atlanta, Georgia Chicago, Illinois
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford D186 platform
Related	Ford Taurus Lincoln Continental
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L Vulcan V6 3.0 L Duratec V6
Transmission	4-speed AX4N automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2,760 mm)
Length	199.8 in (5,070 mm) (sedan) 197.8 in (5,020 mm) (station wagon)
Width	73 in (1,900 mm)
Height	55.5 in (1,410 mm) (sedan) 57.8 in (1,470 mm) (station wagon)

2000–2003 Mercury Sable LS wagon

The Sable received another redesign in 1999, which minimized some of the oval design elements from the 1996 model, replacing them with more conventional styling. The redesign also featured a taller roof over the rear-passenger space, to increase passenger headroom that had been sacrificed by the tapered 1996 design. The taller and roomier trunk also served to make the vehicle more functional. The interior was completely changed for a much more conservative design. Certain elements of the interior were retained from the 1996 model, such as the integrated control console, which combined the sound system and climate controls into one panel; but the shape of that panel was changed from oval to trapezoid. A simulated wood-grain finish surrounds the center shifter area on LS models and the integrated control panel on both GS and LS models. Power adjustable foot pedals and driver's seat were optional. A Gentex auto-dimming/compass rear-view mirror was also available starting in 2002. To quickly add all the extra options and accessories, Mercury developed an add-on to the LS model only, calling it the LS Premium. This added on, without extra cost, premium leather seating, a 6 CD changer in the trunk, and the power adjustable foot pedals. LS Premium Sable's were only available as 5 passenger models, with the center mounted shifter eliminating the hidden seat underneath lower trim models' cloth armrest.

The suspension was also softened to appeal to a broader, non-sporting audience. Side airbags and traction control were added as options on all models.

2004–2005 Mercury Sable GS sedan

The 2000-2001 Mercury Sable was either given a 3.0 Vulcan V6 or a higher output 3.0 Duratec V6. Despite being of similar size, the two engines were completely unrelated: the Vulcan was an iron pushrod-engine design, while the Duratec was an aluminum engine with DOHC. The Duratec engine produced nearly 50 more horsepower than the Vulcan. The Duratec 3.0 used in the higher trim level Mercury Sables were also used slightly-modified in Jaguar S-Type and Lincoln LSs of the time, and would later be used on early Ford Fusions and Five-Hundreds.

The 2002 Sable included extra equipment on every trim level, including a CD player and power driver's seat on the GS, and a power moonroof or leather interior on the LS. For 2002 LS models, simulated wood-grain is continued onto the doors and around the window switches, instead of just surrounding the radio/HVAC area as before. Also for 2002, Mercury painted the housing beneath the instrument panel with white, instead of black as before. This was done to all Mercury models of that model year to unify the brands design motif.

For 2004, the Sable received minor cosmetic changes to the front and rear fascias, most noticeably the grille was made fully chrome. Inside were a new instrument cluster and steering wheel.

Due to the Mercury brand's discontinuation in Canada, the fourth generation Sable was never available in the Canadian market. Thus it was unique to the US and Mexico (as Ford).

The 2005 Mercury Montego and 2006 Milan were launched as replacements for the Sable. Shortly after the Montego's introduction the Sable was discontinued, along with the Taurus wagon; the Taurus sedan continued to be produced, but primarily for the fleet market. The last Sable left the Atlanta plant on April 29, 2005.

Models

Model	Year	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
GS	2000-2005	3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6	155 hp (116 kW)	185 ft·lbf (251 N·m)	4-speed AX4N automatic
LS	2000-2003	3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6	200 hp (149 kW)	195 ft·lbf (264 N·m)
	2004-2005		201 hp (150 kW)	207 ft·lbf (281 N·m)

Fifth generation (2008–2009)

Main article: Ford Taurus (fifth generation)

Fifth generation (D333)
Overview
Production	2008–2009
Assembly	Chicago, Illinois
Designer	J Mays
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	Ford D3 platform
Related	Ford Taurus Ford Taurus X Volvo S80
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L Cyclone V6
Transmission	6-speed 6F automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.9 in (2,870 mm)
Length	202.1 in (5,130 mm)
Width	74.5 in (1,890 mm)
Height	61.5 in (1,560 mm)
Curb weight	3643 lb (FWD) 3814 lb (AWD)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercury Montego
Successor	Ford Taurus (sixth generation)

Ford CEO Alan Mulally introduced the facelifted fifth generation Sable at the Chicago Auto Show on February 7, 2007, replacing the Montego — with sales commencing in late July 2007.

Most prominently the Sable featured the 3.5 L Cyclone V6 engine as well as a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, replacing the former continuously variable transmission (CVT). Exterior modifications included a new front end with revised headlamps, as well as exterior satin-aluminum mirror and door-handle accents, and new LED taillights.

The fifth generation Sable featured noise-reducing technologies including expandable foam pellets in the A-Pillars and improved sound-deadening material in the doors, headliner and pillars. as well as a revised MacPherson-strut front suspension with 10 percent more travel, new dampers and spring rates, and a retuned independent coil-over rear suspension. A new power steering system used a revised electric pump to provide extra steering assist as needed. The available all-wheel-drive system features an electronically-controlled center coupling to moderate torque from front to rear, up to 100 percent to either axle.

Electronic stability control system is standard on models along with dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger, and side curtain air bags for both rows of seats, marketed as the Ford's Safety Canopy. A new steering wheel design recesses the airbag 15 millimeters farther from the driver.

The 2009 Sable brochure listed the optional VOGA package — Spanish for vogue. Similar to the VOGA cosmetic trim packages offered on the Mercury Milan and Mercury Mariner, the Sable package was to feature chrome accent finishes on grille, rear decklid appliqué and rear badging; 18" 7-spoke chrome-clad aluminum wheels with “VOGA” center caps; “VOGA” exterior badging; unique floor mats with embroidered “VOGA” logo; cashmere-colored door-trim inserts; cashmere-colored leather-trimmed seats with tone-on-tone cashmere-colored stitching; cyber carbon instrument panel appliqués; and “VOGA” embroidered on front seatbacks. The trim package was available only with White Suede or Tuxedo Black exterior colors and charcoal black interior.

Models

Model	Year	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
Base Premier	2008–2009	3.5 L Cyclone V6	263 hp (196 kW)	249 ft·lbf (338 N·m)	6-speed 6F automatic

Discontinuation

Manufacture of the fifth generation Sable ended on May 21, 2009. Its Taurus counterpart continued and was redesigned. The Ford Taurus X, ended production on February 27, 2009. After the 2011 model year, the Mercury brand was retired.

Special editions

A few special editions of the Sable were made, all consisting of first generation models.

For 1987, Mercury created a special edition of the Sable called the "LS Monochrome Edition", which as an option would color the bumpers, side trim, and wheels white. It was only offered for 1987; the production quantity is not known and it is also unknown how many still exist.

For 1989, Mercury created a "50th Anniversary" edition of the Sable, to celebrate Mercury's 50th Anniversary. Keeping with the name, only 50 were sold, combined between GS and LS models. This Sable was actually a test bed for creating a Luxury sports version of the Sable called the LTS, similar to that of the Ford Taurus SHO. It was meant to use the SHO's chassis, interior, and suspension, but not the engine. After the launch of the SHO, and all the publicity and praise it got, Ford shelved the Sable LTS to focus on the SHO, and because they were afraid it would take sales away from the SHO. The Sable LTS remained in a "development hell" until mid-1994 when it was introduced as a high-end version of the Sable, but by then, it was just a highly optioned LS. An unknown number of these Sables still exist, but a pristine condition GS in this trim was sold on eBay in 2007.

A special one-of-a-kind Sable convertible was created for the 1988 Detroit SAE auto show. It was built from a sedan chassis and featured a completely custom two-door body with a custom folding top. However, it was shelved; the only one sat in a warehouse for years until it was given a VIN, titled, and driven. It was sold on eBay in 2006.

In an article in Automotive News (c. 1990) an all-aluminum body in white was made for a Sable. In an accompanying photo it is shown being held up by two middle-aged women, leading to the belief it would weigh less than 600 lb (270 kg). Ford's Aluminum Intensive Vehicle (AIV) program built 20 aluminum-bodied Sables with high-performance Taurus SHO V6 engines. This was an engineering exercise for constructing all-aluminum unit bodies, as Jaguar has now.

Awards

The Sable was named to Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1986 and again in 1990 and 1991.

American sales

Calendar Year	American sales
1986	95,635
1987	121,313
1988	121,285
1989	130,657
1990	103,749
1991	96,698
1992	127,530
1993	138,980
1994	112,783
1995	115,763
1996	140,465
1997	127,101
1998
1999	101,120
2000	103,030
2001	102,646
2002	98,998
2003	61,342
2004	42,737
2005	24,149
2006	0
2007	21,121
2008	16,187
2009	6,256
2010	37

Further reading

• "Taurus Car Club of America". Retrieved 2006-05-16.
  • "Taurus/Sable Specifications". Taurus/Sable Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on November 19, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
• Beadle, Tony (August 1996). The American Automobile. Smithmark Publishers. ISBN 0-8317-6267-5.
• Gunnell, John (July 2002). Standard Catalog of Ford 1903–2003 (3rd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87349-452-0.
• "Ford Taurus X, Mercury Sable to cease production next year (2009)". Leftlanews.com.

External links

• FAQ Farm's Mercury Sable FAQ: wiki question and answer forum
• Taurus Car Club of America
• TCCA: Taurus/Sable Encyclopedia