The 1994 Cougar

The changes to the Cougar that were promised for years had finally come to fruition in 1994. While not exactly an all-new car, there were significant changes almost everywhere one looked: exterior, interior, and under the hood. So many changes, in fact, that one could nearly consider the 1994 Cougar XR7 a “version 2.0”, as well as the first year of another two-year styling cycle.

Drivetrain & Chassis

Perhaps the biggest news was the discontinued use of the 5.0L pushrod V8. Ford began to see overhead valve V8s as relics of the past; their future was hedged on the modular OHC series of engines that debuted earlier in the decade. Therefore the all-new 4.6 SOHC V8 was the engine of choice for the Cougar now. This new V8 brought an air of technical sophistication to the Cougar program, as no other rear drive coupe made in America at that time (besides the Thunderbird and the new Mark VIII) had a standard OHC V8. The Cougar gained a few ponies from the previous year, up from 200hp to 205hp, but lost 10 lb-ft of torque, now down to 265 lb-ft. Yet the 4.6L V8 was still potent enough to haul the big Cat when necessary. Also debuting with the motor was Ford’s new EEC-V electronics system, which vastly eclipsed the EEC-IV of the past. It was Ford’s baby step towards full OBD-II compliance in 1996 and therefore was considered more of a hybrid of technologies.

Mated to both engines was a new electronic overdrive transmission, the 4R70W, with lockup converter and push-button lockout on the floor shifter. This transmission is rated for 700 ft.-lb. capacity. Also, a brand new Traction Control system became an option; this system used the ABS system for less wheel spin on slippery surfaces.

While the MN12 chassis was still essentially unchanged, several key chassis reinforcement structures were redesigned for less noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). These included the transmission crossmember mounting point, trunk reinforcements, and the rear axle mounts. All suspension components became self-sealed, never needing lubrication for life. Much of the Cougar’s sheetmetal was now two-sided galvanized steel for additional corrosion resistance. Beefy side impact beams were added to the doors.

Interior

Cougar XR7’s all-new interior was world-class and a striking statement in the industry.

Ford had begun using “themes” for their interiors in the early 1990s, so it was fitting that Ford again experimented with themes with the 1994 Cougar’s revolutionary interior. The look can be called “wraparound”, and it is truly one of Ford’s best interiors ever. Ergonomically designed for easy reach of everything, all switches were repositioned with high-use switches (power windows, power door locks) illuminated at night. The instrument panel gracefully swoops down to form the center stack, which then flows to the new console, creating a semi-wraparound cockpit for the driver. Rear seat heat ducts became standard, as well as CFC-free air conditioning. All fasteners for interior panels were now hidden, adding to further refinement. All surfaces had new softer materials, and hard plastic surfaces were coated with “soft touch” paint that gives a velvety tactile sensation. The digital instrument cluster was now a thing of the past; all Cougars from 1994-on had analog gauges. Optional stereos included an in-dash CD player and a trunk-mounted 10-disc CD changer.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the interior was the introduction of dual airbags. Ford had been slipping driver-side airbags into some of their more popular or higher-volume cars (Crown Victoria, Mustang, Taurus), and a lucky few (Town Car, Continental, Mark VII) got dual airbags before the federally-mandated 1994 model year deadline. The Cougar, however, was stuck with motorized seat belts until then. Fortunately those were now relegated to the past.

Cougar XR7’s all-new interior was world-class and a striking statement in the industry.

For the first time, the Cougar received front and passenger side airbags as standard equipment.

Exterior

On the outside the overall shape of the Cougar remained, although there are some details that got reshaped and refined to further differentiate it from previous models. Wheel choices remained the same. A host of enticing new colors, including some groundbreaking color-shifting metallics, debuted in 1994, and virtually no colors were carried over from the previous year.

After several years of the waterfall grille, an all-new grille debuted in 1994, a play on the trapezoidal front area with a modern, canted waterfall in the slats.

The side profile was nearly unchanged, save for the addition of new “floating” side molding, which really gave the Cougar a very modern flair and a much cleaner look.

Feature Car

A mid-year offering, the Feature Car was a special edition of the Cougar which featured one of several exciting new exterior colors: Opal Frost, Performance White Tri-Coat, and Deep Iris. Inside, the seats came in a new White leather with Opal Grey cloth inserts and piping, and the Cougar logo embroidered in Opal Grey in both the seats and the floor mats. Production of the Feature Car began in early February 1994.

Conclusion

The 1994 model year marked a pivotal change in direction for the Cougar. It said goodbye to many traditional things of the past and fully embraced a modern future. Sales for the new model maintained their pace nicely as customers flocked to the new V8 and smoother styling. The 1994-95 Cougars will probably go down in history as the epitome of the 1989-97 MN12 design.