FAST

FACTS

This is Mercury’s version of the Ford Thunderbird SC, powered by a supercharged V6 with air-to-air intercooler and a slick shifting 5spd manual transmission designed by Mazda. These cars are RWD and include a “Traction-Lok” limited slip differential
The design employs a steeply raked windshield (63.9 degrees) and upright roof pillars (giving it a square-back look). The upright pillars allow for more rear headroom than the sleek design of the Thunderbird coupe
The suspension employs Mercury’s “automatic ride control” that utilizes a control module to monitor speed sensors, brake pressure, steering sensors, and acceleration from the ECM. The data is used to soften or firm up the shocks appropriately within milliseconds. For example, the shocks will firm up during hard cornering, yet will change to a smooth setting on the highway. The driver can manually select a “firm” ride at any given time
The XR-7 was one of the few cars to feature a self adjusting clutch (a relatively new technology for the decade). This SAC setup automatically compensates for wear and ensures that the force needed to press the clutch pedal (as well as the engagement point) remains the same throughout the life of the clutch
The paint scheme is monochromatic (meaning the entire exterior is red, trim and all) and is unique to the XR7. This is at a time when most cars featured unsightly black exterior trim and wore unpainted front and rear bumpers
Mercury initially wanted to launch the XR-7 with Ford’s 5.0 V8 from the Foxbody Mustang, but the lowered cowl of the new Cougar chassis wouldn’t allow the V8 to clear the hood. It took a few years before the engineers could make room for the big V8 without changing the styling, but they were eventually successful: in 1991 the XR-7’s supercharged V6 was replaced with Ford’s 5.0L High Output V8

Key Model Year Changes:

1989 is the first year of the 8th gen Cougar, which receives 4-wheel independent suspension and electronic speed sensitive variable assist power steering
The XR-7 couldn’t be optioned with a black interior until 1990
No significant updates for 1990 except for a few added options and colors. The 1989-1990 model years are virtually indistinguishable
1991 models dropped the supercharged V6 for Ford’s 5.0L V8 from the Mustang/Lincoln Mark VIII

Specs: