Mercury Mariner Hybrid Presidential Edition Revealed

Press Release

• Mercury Mariner Hybrid “Presidential Edition” is the first hybrid vehicle to be outfitted for presidential service

• Full-hybrid, all-wheel drive powertrain delivers an impressive 32 miles per gallon in city driving and ultra-clean emissions

Ford Motor Company today announced the delivery of a Mercury Mariner Hybrid “Presidential Edition” to former President Bill Clinton – the first hybrid vehicle to be outfitted for presidential service.

The Presidential Mariner Hybrid will be formally accepted by President Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative conference set for Sept. 20-22 in New York City.

“Ford is deeply committed to greener miles – to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, save our customers money at the pump, and improve our environment,” said Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman. “The Mercury Mariner hybrid we're delivering today meets that commitment, bringing American innovation to an American President.”

The development of the Presidential Mariner Hybrid is a showcase of Ford’s and the Clinton Foundation’s commitment to innovation in the areas of energy and climate change. Earlier this month, President Clinton announced the formation of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), a project of his foundation that is dedicated to making a difference in the fight against climate change in practical and measurable ways.

“My Foundation is committed to making a difference in the fight against global warming,” said former President Bill Clinton. “The Clinton Climate Initiative is working with some of the world's largest cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I'm happy to have a fuel efficient vehicle to do my part and I’d like to thank the Ford Motor Company for this.”

Recently, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid were named among the top 30 environmentally friendly vehicles, according to J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Alternative Powertrain Study.

The Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mariner Hybrid are one part of Ford Motor Company’s approach to deliver greener miles with less pollution and greater fuel economy. Ford has expanded its work on hybrids in the U.S. and Europe and will add three more hybrid vehicles to its lineup by 2008. That strategy also includes E85 ethanol-capable vehicles, including the flex-fuel F-150, clean-diesel technologies, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Ford is a leader in hydrogen internal combustion engines, and will deliver more than 20 shuttle buses equipped with the engines to customers this year. Ford also is actively engaged in research on other bio-fuels and is deploying advanced engine and transmission technologies across its powertrain lineup.

The custom interior of the Presidential Mariner Hybrid emphasizes the comfort, convenience and productivity of an executive office, with details such as unique LED lighting, a 110-volt outlet and a new writing table. The Mariner Hybrid’s full-hybrid powertrain was unchanged, preserving its impressive 32 miles per gallon in city driving, 29 mpg on the highway, and ultra-clean emissions.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid’s full-hybrid blends the best features of a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver comparable acceleration and passing performance to the conventional Mariner equipped with a 200 horsepower V-6 engine, and nearly a 50 percent increase in fuel economy. Ford Motor Company has received more than 150 patents on the hybrid powertrain system.

As a full hybrid, the Mariner Hybrid is capable of traveling up to 25 miles per hour solely on electric power, with no fuel consumption or emissions.

When the output of the 2.3-liter gasoline is not needed – during coasting, idling at stoplights, or crawling through slow traffic – the gasoline engine automatically shuts off. On demand, the gasoline engine and electric motor automatically team up to deliver maximum acceleration or passing performance.

“This project perfectly showcases the distinctive styling of the Mercury brand, as well as the environmental and energy benefits of the Mariner Hybrid,” says Nancy Gioia, director, Ford Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Programs.

This combination of style, fuel efficiency, utility and clean emissions earned the Mariner Hybrid the Green Car Journal Green Car of the Year award for 2006, the journal’s first such award.

The Presidential Mariner Hybrid is the first Mercury outfitted for presidential transportation, an honor associated with the Lincoln brand since Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned a 1939 Model K V-12 limousine – nicknamed the “Sunshine Special.” And now, the Mariner Hybrid also has the distinction of being the first and only hybrid to be outfitted for presidential service.