Since the 1994 model year brought so many sweeping changes, 1995 was essentially a carryover year for the Mercury Cougar (and the second of a two-year cycle). About the only change was with exterior colors. Everything else—drivetrain, interior, and exterior styling—was identical to the 1994 car. The Cougar did seem to shed a few pounds.
Ford’s new corporate airbag steering wheel had found its way to the Cougar in 1994 and survived all the way through 1997. The double curve design was not only comfortable but also aesthetically pleasing.
The Cougar’s cupholder resided as a liner inside the console.
Feature Editions
Following in the pawprints of 1994’s Feature Car, this special edition Cougar was an official option package. The actual name of the edition is unknown as of now, but it did feature a luggage rack and 15″ BBS-style wheels which appear to be identical to those used on the 25th Anniversary Cougar. It is entirely possible that this is an early Sport model, officially produced in 1996.
The Feature Edition was indeed offered again in 1995, with seemingly more interior color choices, as shown by the Evergreen interior here.
Conclusion
Sales were slightly lower than the breakthrough 1994 model year, but the Cougar still looked to be in safe territory. By the end of the 1995 model year, however, rumors began to leak out about the uncertain future of the Cougar/Thunderbird program. It was becoming clearly evident that the sport utility market was skyrocketing, and the profit margin in that segment was extremely high. This, coupled with the shrinking midsize coupe segment, meant that Ford no longer gave the resources it once had to continue to significantly upgrade these cars. The MN12 cars were now in their seventh model year, an eternity in the modern era of cars, and still there was no news about a replacement chassis. Meanwhile, the uncertainty of Ford’s wait-and-see policy meant that the Cougar would be around for at least a little while longer, anyway.
TECH SPECS |
|
ENGINES |
(standard) – 3.8L (232 cid) V6; 140 hp @ 3800 rpm; 215 lb-ft torque @ 2400 rpm (optional) – 4.6 (281 cid) SOHC V8; 205 hp @ 4500 rpm; 265 lb-ft torque @ 3200 rpm |
TRANSMISSION |
4R70W full electronic 4-speed automatic with overdrive |
BRAKES |
Front 10.8″ disc, rear 9.8″ drum Optional with ABS – Front 10.8″ disc, rear 10.0″ disc with antilock brakes |
SPECIFICATIONS |
Wheelbase – 113″ Overall Length – 199.9″ Overall Width – 72.7″ Overall Height – 52.5″ Cargo Capacity – 15.1 cubic feet Fuel Capacity – 18.0 gallons |
CURB WEIGHT |
w/V6 – 3533 lb. w/V8 – 3671 lb. |
Production
Total: 60,201
Note: We will publish V6/V8 breakdowns when we get them.
Wheels
Left to right: Luxury bolt-on wheel cover; 15″ luxury cast aluminum wheel; geometric spoke wheel (special option).
Options
NOTE: S=standard, O=optional; A=dealer installed accessory
| STANDARD FUNCTIONAL FEATURES | XR7 |
| Driver-side air bag Supplemental Restraint System | S |
| Front passenger-side air bag Supplemental Restraint System | S |
| 3.8L V6 engine with sequential multi-port fuel injection | S |
| 4.6L SOHC V8 engine with sequential multi-port fuel injection | O |
| 4-speed electronic automatic overdrive transmission | S |
| Tinted glass | S |
| Power-assist brakes with audible wear sensors on front | S |
| 58 amp-hr maintenance-free battery | S |
| 130 amp-hr alternator | S |
| Power four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brake system (ABS) | O |
| Traction-Lok rear axle | O * |
| Electronic Traction Assist (requires ABS) | O |
| Electronic speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering | O ** |
| Engine block heater | O |
| 72 amp-hr heavy duty battery | O |
| Electronic rear window defroster | O |
| * Not available with Traction Assist. ** Electronic speed-sensitive, variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering included and only available with optional 4.6L V8 engine. |
|
| FEATURES – EXTERIOR | XR7 |
| 5-mph impact bumpers front/rear | S |
| Dual color-keyed power mirrors | S |
| Low profile aero halogen headlamps | S |
| Flush glass | S |
| Remote keyless entry system | O |
| Multi-sport roof rack (ski, bicycle, water sports) | A |
| Luggage rack/geometric spoke wheels | A |
| Front end cover | A |
| † Requires power lock group. | |
| FEATURES – INTERIOR | XR7 |
| Rear seat three-point manual shoulder safety belts (outboard) and lap safety belt for center position | S |
| CFC-free air conditioning | S |
| Reclining front bucket seats | S |
| Center console with floor shift | S |
| Rear center fold-down armrest | S |
| Courtesy lights | S |
| Map pockets on doors | S |
| Power windows with illuminated switches | S |
| Side window demisters | S |
| Interval windshield wipers | S |
| Push on/push off parking brake system | S |
| Luggage compartment light | S |
| Rear seat heat ducts | S |
| Dual console-mounted cup holders | S |
| Tilt steering wheel | S |
| Luxury cloth and leather seat trim | S |
| Leather-wrapped shift knob | S |
| Power lumbar supports | S |
| Leather seating surfaces | O |
| 6-way power driver’s seat | O |
| Dual 6-way power seats | O |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | O |
| CFC-free electronic automatic climate control ¶ | O |
| Power slide/tilt moonroof with sunshade | O |
| Fingertip speed control | O |
| Illuminated entry system | O |
| Carpeted front floor mats | O |
| ¶ Requires Autolamp on/off delay system. | |
| SOUND SYSTEMS | XR7 |
| Electronic AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and 4 speakers | S |
| High-level electronic radio with premium AM stereo/FM stereo and cassette, 4 premium speakers in 4 locations, 80 total watts RMS | O |
| Premium electronic AM/FM compact disc radio, 80 total watts RMS (does not include cassette) | O |
| Power antenna | O |
| INSTRUMENTATION | XR7 |
| Indicator lamp module with door ajar, low fuel, low coolant, low washer fluid warning lights. Also includes Traction Assist light on models so equipped. | S |
| Backlighted analog performance cluster with tachometer, fuel gauge, coolant temperature gauge, 120 MPH speedometer, oil pressure gauge and voltmeter | S |
| WHEELS + TIRES (BSW = black sidewall) | XR7 |
| P205/70R15 BSW all-season steel belted radial tires | S |
| P215/70R15 BSW all-season radial tires (requires 15″ cast aluminum wheels) | O |
| 15″ bolt-on luxury wheel covers | S |
| 15″ luxury cast aluminum wheels with locking lug nuts and P215/70R15 BSW tires | O |
| Mini spare T-125/90R15 BSW | S |
| OPTIONAL PACKAGES | XR7 |
| POWER LOCK GROUP Includes power door locks, remote deck lid release |
O |
| AUTOLAMP ON/OFF DELAY SYSTEM Automatically turns headlights on/off with delay/dimming system |
O |
| KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM WITH REMOTE Allows doors and decklid to be unlocked/locked by depressing a 5-digit number on a keypad above driver-side door handle in proper sequence or with one of two remote hand-held transmitters (includes illuminated entry and autolock feature) |
O |
| POWER MOONROOF Features pop-up air deflector, sliding sunshade, rear tilt-up and dual reading lamps (requires light group) |
O |
| LIGHT GROUP Includes engine compartment light, instrument panel courtesy lights, and dual illuminated visor mirrors |
O |
Preferred Equipment Packages (PEP)
| COUGAR XR7 | 260A |
| Illuminated entry | ● |
| Fingertip speed control | ● |
| Electric rear window defroster | ● |
| Power lock group | ● |
| Luxury cast aluminum wheels with P215/70R15 tires | ● |
| Front carpet floor mats | ● |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | ● |
| 6-way power driver’s seat | ● |
Your interior and exterior colors can be found on the vehicle certification label, located inside the driver’s door jamb.
Exterior Colors & Codes
Thanks to Jake for revised information below.
|
PAINT CODE |
CLEARCOAT COLORS |
|
WT |
Vibrant (Performance) White Clearcoat |
|
YS |
Silver Frost Metallic Clearcoat |
|
DZ |
Champagne (Light Saddle) Metallic Clearcoat |
|
FA |
Light Evergreen Frost Metallic Clearcoat |
|
WR |
White Opalescent Metallic Clearcoat (Tricoat) |
|
GK |
Rose Mist (Red Nite Mist) Metallic Clearcoat |
|
KM |
Moonlight (Royal) Blue Opalescent Metallic |
|
EG |
Electric Red Metallic Clearcoat |
|
PA |
Deep Jewel (Alpine) Green Metallic Clearcoat |
|
LA |
Moonlight Blue Metallic Clearcoat |
|
ZU |
Silver Blue Mist (Graphite Nite Mist) Metallic Clearcoat |
|
TA |
Chameleon (Venetian) Blue Metallic Clearcoat |
|
DK |
Pumice Clearcoat Metallic |
|
UA |
Black (Ebony) Clearcoat |
Interior Colors & Codes
The interior color is the second part of a two-character code on the vehicle certification label (the first character is the material and seat type).
|
TRIM CODE |
SEAT TYPE |
MATERIAL |
|
5 |
Individual Buckets |
Cloth/Leather |
|
6 |
Individual Buckets |
Leather |
|
TRIM CODE |
COLOR |
|
|
B |
Opal Grey |
|
|
R |
Ruby Red |
|
|
H |
Mocha |
|
|
P |
Portofino Blue |
|
|
E |
Evergreen |
|