Models on the lot at Mercury from the Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Co. increase by two in 2005 with the addition of Mariner, a new crossover sport-utility wagon, and a Euro-styled sedan named Montego.

Mariner is the first small-class SUV for Mercury, promoting agile road manners and a flexible cabin design with fold-flat seat.

The Montego is a premium mid-size sedan cast on a platform originated by Volvo of Sweden.

With a long and broad body-on-frame structure, V8 power and classic rear-wheel-drive (RWD) traction, Mercury's venerable Grand Marquis sedan carries up to six adults and a load of luggage. It has no rivals in the large-car class, save for a twin, Ford's Crown Victoria. The 2005 editions earn more on-board safety equipment and upgrades in cabin appointments. Mercury divides Grand Marquis into two series of GS and LS, then adds packaged equipment in further segments, such as the Convenience array for GS or LS Premium and LS Ultimate.

The LS Ultimate adds an air suspension with rear stabilizer bar, premium audio gear, remote controls for audio and climate systems and a steering wheel in wood and leather. Beneath the extended hood, a single-cam 4.6-liter V8 achieves 224 hp in all issues except with the optional handling package on LS, where dual exhausts boost output to 239 hp. A traction controller, which combines ABS with throttle intervention to block wheel spin, applies to all but base GS trim. New two-tone paint treatment is available to all, while a Two Tone Edition for the GS Convenience brings dual-shade leather seats.

Mercury's new compact-class SUV comes with premium equipment and optional V6 power plus front-wheel-drive (FWD) or automatic all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. It's called a crossover wagon because Mariner rides on the platform of a car and blends the manners of a sedan with the elevated stance and cargo capacity of an SUV. The exterior looks rugged with a bold face featuring a vertical grille in satin aluminum and corner cluster headlamps set above integrated fog lamps. Mariner's upscale cabin, with two rows of seats for five, has wood grain trim with bright chrome and satin aluminum accents.

The wagon divides into three equipment grades -- Convenience, Luxury and Premier, the latter with luxury touches and leather seats. Mariner's base engine, the Duratec 23 with aluminum block and heads, displaces 2.3 liters and makes 153 hp. The 3.0-liter V6 -- dubbed Duratec 30 -- climbs to 200 hp and is the standard on Luxury and Premier models. A four-speed automatic transmission works with either plant. Optional AWD traction runs in FWD mode unless on-board wheel sensors detect slippage and the smart device diverts some of the engine's power to turn the rear wheels.

Mercury's mid-size sedan and station wagon have simplified trim designations in 2005, with sedans tagged as GS or LS and the wagon as LS. Cabins for sedans hold five or six due to a choice in front seat style -- bench or buckets. The three-person front bench for Sable GS contains a flip-down center back section that becomes a console when tipped forward.

A console that has an open bin in front and a closed compartment in back split the two front buckets for the Sable LS. The Sable LS wagon fits seven or eight by adding an optional rear-facing third bench. Engines for Sable begin with the 3.0-liter Vulcan V6 that achieves 153 hp. Optional power comes from Ford's Duratec version with twin cams pumping 201hp. A new LS Premium Package brings leather seats, automatic climate controls and automatic headlamps. (CONTINUED...)