Mercury Milan Hybird

Casey Williams, www.car-data.com

Three of my favorite mid-size cars are the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ that areall based on the excellent Mazda6 architecture. The same platform spawned the Ford Edge and LincolnMKX crossovers. What they lack in brute power and cavernous interiors, they make up for withrefined handling, rock solid body structures, and enduring quality. You sense their Japaneseheritage, no doubt. However, they also possess a certain style that can only come from America. Newfor 2010 are enhanced styling and a class-leading hybrid powertrain that will be shared with theFusion.

Said Derrick Kuzak, Ford V.P. for Global Product Development, ‘With the new Ford Fusion andMercury Milan hybrids, we are now able to offer even better range of travel on battery power at agreater speed, thanks to a more efficient, seamless transition between the battery-powered motorand gasoline-driven engine. These new hybrids will exceed expectations on all fronts ‘ fuelefficiency, comfort, convenience, and drivability.’

The Milan Hybrid is powered by a version of the Ford Escape Hybrid’s 2.5-litre four-cylinderAtkinson cycle engine, continuously variable transmission, and nickel-metal hydride batteries.Regenerative brakes and a more powerful motor allow the Milan Hybrid to drive up to 47 MPH onelectricity alone, limiting gas consumption during city driving. A cool LCD screen next to thespeedometer ‘grows leaves’ or takes them away to creatively show drivers how they are using energy.Driven with soft loafers, range can touch 700 miles while beating the similar-sized Toyota CamryHybrid by 8 MPG in the city and 2 MPG on the highway. Ford just announced that the Milan has beencertified for 41-MPG in city driving. EasyFuel’ capless technology makes it even easier to fill upwhen you finally do have to visit a gas station.

Mercury also installed some advanced technology inside the car. Sync’, developed with Microsoft,allows passengers to voice-activate the navigation and audio systems. Bluetooth connectivity letsthem make hands free calls from via their cell phone. Blind spot sensors alert drivers when cars orpedestrians are present while a backing camera reveals objects behind the vehicle. All of thesefeatures add up to a mid-size entry-luxury car that gives owners a technological edge underneathand behind a beautiful skin.

The Milan was already a good-looking car with its satin silver waterfall grille, Europeanprofile, trapezoidal taillamps, and handsome alloy wheels. For 2010, front clips were freshenedwith a larger and bolder chrome grille, chrome chin spoiler, and small round foglamps. The car alsogets new wheels, spoiler, and taillamps, but most of the body shell remains unchanged ‘ for thegood. The total look comes off as ‘working girl elegant’.

Interiors were updated with new-age Ford buttons and dials, available touch-screen controls forthe navigation/climate/audio systems, thicker steering wheel, and digital dashboard with largecenter analog speedometer. Details like the seats and gear selector were enhanced with Frenchstitching to emulate the Milan’s upscale cousins at Lincoln. Hybrid models have a cool energymonitor function in the touch screen that shows what is being burned and replenished in real time.

I’ve driven Mercury Milans many times over the past several years and in all trim levels. Theyare always quiet and comfortable on the highway. The base 175-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinderengine is powerful enough for most people, but speed demons will want to step up to the240-horsepower 3.0-litre V6. Hybrids are expected to bridge the gap in power while turning in SmartForTwo fuel economy.

What I like best about the Milan Hybrid is how stealthily it moves about. From all appearances,it is a stylish mid-luxury sedan with a Japanese soul. However, from its class-leadinghybrid-driven fuel economy to hands-free communications and navigation, as well as an LCD dashboard, it is as advanced as any car close to its price. Some people want a Prius to prove theirgreenness, but many others prefer the benefits wrapped in traditional attire. For those, the MilanHybrid promises to be an excellent choice.