Mercury Tracer

Mercury Tracer
1993–1996 Mercury Tracer 4-door
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda (1987–1989) Mercury (Ford) (1990–1999)
Production	1987–1989, 1990–1999
Layout	FF layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercury Lynx
Successor	Ford Focus (Mexico)

The Mercury Tracer is a compact car that was marketed by Mercury from 1987 for the 1988 model year until 1999. The replacement for the Ford Escort-derived Lynx, the first generation of the Tracer was a modified version of the Asia-Pacific market Ford Laser, itself a variant of the Mazda 323.^[1] In 1990 for the 1991 model year, the Tracer became the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Escort in North America.^[2] All three generations of the Tracer were based on variations of the Mazda 323/Protegé.

The Ford Focus would serve as a common replacement for both the Ford Escort and the Mercury Tracer.

First generation (1988–1989)

First generation
Overview
Also called	Ford Laser (KC)
Production	1987–1989
Model years	1988–1989
Assembly	Hermosillo, Mexico[3] Taoyuan City, Taiwan Hiroshima, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon
Related	Mazda 323
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Mazda B6 I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed Mazda F3A automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	94.7 in (2,410 mm)
Length	Hatchback: 162.0 in (4,110 mm) Wagon: 169.7 in (4,310 mm)
Width	65.2 in (1,660 mm)
Height	Hatchback: 53.0 in (1,350 mm) Wagon: 53.7 in (1,364 mm)

Mercury Tracer 5-door

Mercury Tracer wagon

The Tracer was introduced in late 1987 as a 1988 model, replacing the Lynx in the United States and Canada. For the first time since the 1978 Capri II, the Mazda 323-based Tracer was a model unique to the Mercury division. Although derived from the Ford Laser sold in Asia and Australia, it was sold without a Ford counterpart in North America. As with its predecessor, the Tracer was sold in three-door and five-door hatchback body styles along with a five-door station wagon. The Tracer hatchback shared its body shell with the Ford Laser; while the station wagon was based loosely on the five-door hatchback, it was a distinct design.

The Mercury Tracer was assembled in a number of production facilities; the location was dependent on the body style and the country to which it was exported. Three-door hatchbacks for the US market were built alongside the Mazda 323 in Hiroshima, Japan, while five-door models were built in Mexico by Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly, where all station wagons were produced. For the Canadian market, both three and five-door hatchback models were built in Taiwan by Ford Lio Ho.^[4]

Engine

• 1.6 L B6 I4, 82 horsepower (61 kW)/92 ft·lbf (125 N·m)

Second generation (1991–1996)

Second generation
Overview
Production	1990–1996
Model years	1991–1996
Assembly	Hermosillo, Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Related	Ford Escort Mazda 323 Mazda Protegé
Powertrain
Engine	1.9 L CVH I4 1.8 L Mazda BP I4
Transmission	5-speed M5 manual 4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2500 mm)
Length	Wagon: 171.3 in (4,351 mm) Sedan: 170.9 in (4,341 mm)
Width	66.7 in (1,690 mm)
Height	Wagon: 52.7 in (1,340 mm) Wagon: 53.6 in (1,361 mm)
Curb weight	2498 lb (1133 kg)

Rear view

After skipping the 1990 model year, the Tracer returned in early 1990 as a 1991 model. While again based on the Mazda B platform, it now shared a body with the Ford Escort and the Mazda Protegé. The hatchback models were replaced by a four-door sedan; the five-door station wagon was carried over. The Tracer was sold in three trim levels: GS, LS, and LTS. The LTS was discontinued in 1993.

Changes to the Tracer over this generation were relatively few. In 1992, the plastic grille insert was replaced by the light bar grille seen on the Topaz and Sable. In 1993, a driver's side airbag replaced the automatic seatbelts; in 1994, a passenger airbag was added, bringing a redesigned dashboard with it.

The Tracer LTS (which used the more powerful 1.8L Mazda engine shared with the Escort LX-E and Escort GT) was named to Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1991.

Engines

• 1.9 L (1,859 cc) CVH I4, 88 hp (66 kW) 108 ft·lbf (146 N·m)
• 1.8 L (1,839 cc) BP I4, 127 hp (95 kW) 114 ft·lbf (154 N·m) LTS

Trim levels

Sedan

• base • 1991–1996 model years
• LTS • 1991–1994 model years

Wagon

• base • 1991–1996 model years

Third generation (1997–1999)

Third generation
Overview
Production	1996–1999
Model years	1997–1999
Assembly	Wayne, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Related	Ford Escort Mazda Protegé
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L SPI 2000 I4
Transmission	5-speed IB5 manual 4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2,500 mm)
Length	Wagon: 172.7 in (4,387 mm) Sedan: 174.7 in (4,440 mm)
Width	67.0 in (1,700 mm)
Height	Sedan: 53.3 in (1,350 mm) Wagon: 53.9 in (1,369 mm)

Mercury Tracer wagon

The Tracer and Escort were updated in 1996 for year model 1997 with a redesigned exterior and interior, and a new engine. The platform remained the same as before.

The Tracer wagon largely retained the same body style, gaining only the new interior, front end & fascia, side-view mirrors, door handles, badging, and slightly restyled taillamps and reflectors.

In addition to GS and LS trims, there was also a Trio appearance package offered from model year 1997 until 1999 on the GS. The LS trim featured tachometers and alloy wheels along with optional leather interior, key-less entry and power windows and door locks.

All Tracer models were discontinued in 1999 along with the Escort wagon. Mercury sold 23,146^[5] Tracers in its last model year. The final Mercury Tracer rolled off the assembly line on July 2, 1999.

Trim levels

Sedan

• GS • 1997–1999 model years
• LS • 1997–1999 model years

Wagon

• LS • 1997–1999 model years

Engines

• 2.0 L (1986 cc) SPI 2000 I4, 110 hp

Proposed 2011 revival

Early in 2010, the Tracer nameplate nearly made its return to the Mercury model lineup. As Ford confirmed its 2012 model line with dealers, the Mercury model line was expanded with an all-new compact sedan slotted below the mid-size Milan.^[6] Reviving the Tracer nameplate for the first time in 13 years, the new sedan would be based on the 2012 Ford Focus, giving the Mercury division a version of the Focus for the first time.

However, in the summer of 2010, the Mercury division was phased out, leaving the proposed Tracer to be cancelled.

References

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