Posted on 01/06/2006 12:00:34 AM PST by doug from upland
Mercury Mariner Hybrid Named 2006 Green Car of the Year
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/
--- The 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid --
Lincoln-Mercury division's first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle -- has been named Green Car Journal's 2006 Green Car of the Year. The award was presented by Green Car Journal editor and publisher Ron Cogan at a press conference this afternoon at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
"The hybrid Mariner is the right idea at the right time," says Roland Hwang, vehicles policy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "To regain its competitive edge, Detroit must come to grips with how high pump prices have put consumers in an entirely new mindset. This vehicle proves that a determined Detroit can win this race."
The Mariner Hybrid was tapped in a majority vote by a high-profile jury of auto and environmental leaders, coming out on top in a stellar field of nominees that also included the Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The five finalists were selected by Green Car Journal after evaluating a field of dozens of 2006 model year vehicles offering varying levels of improved environmental performance.
Votes for Green Car of the Year were cast by jurors including auto icons Carroll Shelby and Mario Andretti; Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists; and Paul MacCready, president of the efficiency-focused firm AeroVironment. Four Green Car Journal jurors rounded out the 11 member Green Car of the Year jury. "Environmentally clean cars have reached a milestone this year as experts -- from race car driver Mario Andretti to Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope -- recognize the Green Car of the Year with an award," says Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club's Global Warming Program. "We have the technology to make cars that are green, clean, and affordable. These are what automakers should be producing, not the inefficient vehicles being sold today."
The 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid offers an EPA estimated 33 mpg fuel economy in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, exceptional numbers for a full function, four-wheel drive SUV. It achieves AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) levels in California and other states that have adopted California's stringent emissions standards, and SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) levels in others. Importantly, its efficient Duratec 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor feature a combined 155 peak horsepower, more than enough power for all driving situations. To many, this gasoline-electric powerplant provides a feel similar to that of a V-6 powered Mariner.
"This award is more than an honor to an individual model and maker of automobiles," summarizes Jean-Michel Cousteau. "This is a challenge and an incentive for all of those in the automotive industry to strive to design and manufacture vehicles that are more efficient and tread more lightly on our planet."
Jason Mark, vehicles director for the Union of Concerned Scientists, agrees: "The Green Car of the Year award recognizes that the future of the auto industry is tied to delivering fuel-saving, clean products. Ultimately, this is the only contest that matters."
Additional information on the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid can be found on Green Car Journal Online, at http://www.greencar.com.
Still like my Vette. :-)
I don't blame you.
:-)
I dunno, I like the hybrid idea, but 155 hp sounds kind of wimpy for an SUV that size.
Gotta be a typo, less mpg on the highway?
I thought this was about outboard boat motors.
Beats the Vette in 0-60 :-)
However, I would bet my dual climate controlled C6 Vette is a whole lot more comfortable. LOL!
Cool link though! Thanks. :-)
Green Car of the Year
Yah this think is like a Motorcycle with 4 wheels, I don't know if ou saw the clip or not but at about 4th gear it pulls the drivers face apart like silly putty, looked like the guys in the rocket-sled clips. The only FASTER street vehicle in production is the Ferrari Enzo, this car came in just faster than the Porsche Turbo Carrera. Of course practical it's not, the red thing on the front is actually a boot, it will hold about a 6 pack of beer and maybe a jacket. ;>
For 50K I don't see how you could go wrong!
The company (Ariel) that makes these has 7 employees.
Something tells me that's about to change.
No typo. On the highway it's probably functioning on the gasoline engine constantly.
In town the engine can shut off and the car can run only on the batts a good portion of the time.
W. O. W. Wow!
Wow. I would think you'd have to pull your eyes from the back of your head after a ride like that. Neat!
How does it do in the snow?
I imagine it would do quite well, sitting in my garage, while I polish it with a soft cloth, waiting for that first beautiful Spring day...
I wouldn't say it was a daily driver. That is what I have this for.
I would probably want to wear a helmet, just for wind protection. And I could run a jack to my iPod, so I would never miss the stereo...
Shouldn't there be some FR rule about posting pics of Jill Wagner whenever Mercury is mentioned?
That vehicle is pretty cool.
One big problem I see is its awfully low to the ground and has a rather short wheelbase.
Not a problem for the track, but I'd hate to be in front of a soccer mom in her Hummer who can't see you anymore (because you're in the blind spot right in front of and below her hood) and forgets you're there, and proceeds to roll over you while in traffic.
Maybe you could attach one of those long bicycle flags they used to have in the 70s...
Not a typo. It is a function of when the gasoline motor and when the electric motor are functioning.
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