MERCURY TRACER

The 'Mercury Tracer' was Mercury's smallest car from 1988 to 1999. It was based on the platform of the Mazda 323, replacing the European-derived Mercury Lynx.

Contents

1988-1989

Engines

1991-1996

Engines

1997-1999

Engines

1988-1989

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.

Engines

★ 1.6 L B6 I4, 82 hp/92 ft.lbf

1991-1996

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. The Tracer was discontinued in Canada after 1995.

Engines

★ 1.9 L (1859 cc) ''CVH'' I4, 88 hp (66 kW) 108 ft.lbf (146 Nm)

★ 1.8 L (1839 cc) ''BP'' I4, 127 hp (95 kW) 114 ft.lbf (154 Nm) ''LTS''

1997-1999

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 was discontinued in 1999.
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. Many speculate that if the Escort ZX2's more powerful 130 HP Zetec engine would have been available or standard on the Tracer, it would have proved much more successful.

Engines

★ 2.0 L (1986 cc) ''SPI 2000'' I4, 110 hp