1. First generation (1988–1989)
     Chassis    Body  

2. Second generation (1991–1996)
     Chassis    Body  

3. Third generation (1997–1999)
     Chassis    Body  

4. Proposed 2011 revival

5. References

The Mercury Tracer is an automobile that was marketed by Mercury from the 1988 through 1999 model years. Introduced as the successor to the Mercury Lynx, three generations of the Tracer were sold in the United States and Canada. Initially introduced as a subcompact, the two succeeding generations were sold in the compact segment. Throughout its production, the Tracer was marketed as a hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon.

After the 1999 model year, Mercury ended sales of the Tracer. While the model line was not directly replaced, its Ford Escort counterpart was replaced by the Ford Focus.

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][2] In 1990 for the 1991 model year, the Tracer became the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Escort in North America.^[3] 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)

For 1988, Mercury introduced the Tracer as its subcompact model range. Replacing the Lynx, the Tracer was the first Mercury since 1960 sold without a Ford counterpart (the 1970-1978 Capri was not badged as a Mercury). In another change, the Tracer became the first Mercury assembled outside of North America. Three-door hatchbacks (for the United States) were assembled by Mazda in Hiroshima; five-door hatchbacks and station wagons were assembled by Ford in Mexico by Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly.

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. Canadian production (three-door and five-door hatchbacks) was sourced from Ford Lio Ho in Taiwan.^[5]

Chassis

The Mercury Tracer is an American counterpart of the Australian-market Ford Laser KE, sold in Japan, Asia, and South Africa.^[1][2] While sharing a slightly different body, the Laser shared a common chassis with the front-wheel drive Mazda 323, designated the Mazda BF platform. A 1.6L B6 inline-4 from the 323 was offered with the Tracer. For Canadian-market examples, a 71-hp carbureted engine was offered, with an 84-hp fuel-injected engine offered in the United States. A 5-speed manual was standard, with a 3-speed automatic offered as an option.

Body

In line with its Lynx predecessor, the Tracer was offered as in 3-door and 5-door hatchback configurations; for the United States, a 5-door station wagon was offered. Sharing its body panels with the Ford Laser, the Tracer was distinguished by a Mercury grille, badging, and wheel covers; slight revisions were made to the hatchback and station wagon liftgate. Along with a base L trim, the Tracer was offered in GS and LS trim, in line with the Topaz, Sable, and Grand Marquis model lines.

Second generation (1991–1996)

For 1991, the second-generation Tracer was introduced in early 1990, skipping the 1990 model year altogether. While again derived from Mazda underpinnings, the Tracer became the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Escort as all three model lines were redesigned for 1991, with the 323 becoming the Mazda Protegé sedan in North America. In another shift, the Tracer grew in size, shifting from the subcompact to the compact segment, with all assembly consolidated at Hermosillo Stamping in Mexico.

The Mercury Tracer LTS was named to Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1991.

Chassis

The second-generation Tracer is derived from the front-wheel drive Mazda BG platform (officially designated the Ford CT120 platform), sharing a 98.4-inch wheelbase with the Escort and Protegé. An 88-hp 1.9L CVH inline-4 is the standard engine (shared with the Escort). From 1991 to 1994, a 127-hp 1.8L BP inline-4 (shared with the Ford Escort GT and Mazda Protegé LX) was offered. A 5-speed manual was standard with both engines, with a 4-speed automatic offered with the 1.9L engine.

Body

The second-generation Tracer was offered in two configurations; along with the station wagon, a four-door sedan replaced the previous hatchbacks (offered as an Escort). While sharing almost no body panels with its Mazda counterpart, the Tracer differed little from the Escort, with the latter distinguished largely by amber turn signal lenses.

During its production, the second-generation Tracer saw few external changes. For 1991, the Tracer was styled with a body-color front grille, replaced by a light-bar grille for 1992 (in line with the Topaz and Sable); for 1996, Tracer sedans received revised taillamps. For 1993, the Tracer was given a drivers' side airbag as a passive restraint, replacing automatic seatbelts; for 1994, the addition of a passenger airbag required a redesign of the dashboard.

In line with other Mercury model ranges, the Tracer was marketed in GS and LS trims, with an LTS trim (Luxury Touring Sedan) serving as the flagship of the model range. Largely the counterpart of the Ford Escort LX-E (the four-door version of the Ford Escort GT), the LTS was powered by a 127hp Mazda 1.8L engine; the LTS was produced through the 1994 model year.

Third generation (1997–1999)

For 1997, the Tracer underwent a substantial redesign; although using the same chassis underpinnings, the powertrain and body saw extensive revisions.

Chassis

The third-generation Tracer is derived from the front-wheel drive Ford CT120 platform, used again by Ford, sharing the same 98.4-inch wheelbase as the previous generation. The sole engine is a 110-hp 2.0L SPI 2000 inline-4, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Body

The third-generation Tracer again was offered in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon configurations (with the Escort hatchbacks withdrawn altogether). The Tracer largely was distinguished from the Escort by its front fascia and taillamps, along with model-specific wheelcovers. The Tracer station wagon carried over much of the second-generation bodyshell, with updates limited to the front fascia, sideview mirrors, door handles, badging, and dashboard.

As with previous generations, the third-generation Tracer was sold in GS and LS trims, with Mercury selling a Trio appearance package for the GS. The LS trim was distinguished by alloy wheels, leather interior, keyless entry, power windows and door locks, and tachometer.

Following the 1999 model year, the Tracer was withdrawn (along with the Escort station wagon). For 1999, 23,146 examples were sold.^[6] The final Mercury Tracer rolled off the assembly line on July 2, 1999.

Proposed 2011 revival

Shortly before the end of the Mercury division, Ford planned a revival of the Tracer model line. As Ford confirmed its 2012 model lines with dealers in early 2010, Mercury was to add a compact sedan (derived from the 2012 Ford Focus) as an additional sedan line.^[7] Slotted below the Milan, the Focus-derived Mercury was unofficially confirmed to adopt the Mercury Tracer nameplate (ending a 13-year hiatus).^[7] Following the planned discontinuation of the Grand Marquis, a 2012 Tracer was to expand Mercury to two sedan lines.^[7]

In the summer in 2010, Ford announced the withdrawal of the Mercury division, cancelling the revival of the Mercury Tracer; to expand Ford Focus model range, Ford introduced the premium Titanium trim.

References

• New Zealand Geckos
• New Zealand general election 1853
• New Zealand general election 1855
• New Zealand general election, 1860
• New Zealand general election 1860-1861
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• New Zealand general election 1875-1876
• New Zealand general election 1879
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• New Zealand general election 1911
• New Zealand general election 1914
• New Zealand general election 1919
• New Zealand general election 1922
• New Zealand general election 1925
• New Zealand general election 1928