Mercury Sable 1st generation

Production period:	1986 to 1991
Body versions:	Sedan, station wagon
Engines:	Gasoline: 2.5-3.8 Liters (65-104 kW)
Length:	4849-4874 mm
Width:	1796 mm
Height:	1377-1400 mm
Wheelbase:	2692 mm
Curb weight:	1274-1525 kg

In December 1985 Mercury presented as a successor of Mercury Marquis the very modern, aerodynamically designed and futuristic Sable with front wheel drive as 4-door sedan 5-seater 5-door station wagon. 

History

The Mercury Sable was a 1986 to 2009 produced car model of the US, the Ford belonging Corporation brand Mercury. The Sable was based on the largely identical Ford Taurus. In the meantime, from 2005 to 2007, it was replaced by the Mercury Montego, after a major overhaul to the model year 2008 but again sold under the name Sable. 

Judging by the impressive order books for the Sable and Taurus, North Americans fell in love with them without hesitation. This was one of the great unknowns when these sedans and station wagons were launched, which had everything it took to revolutionize this market segment in America. But first, the car's shapes had to be accepted, more radical than those of the Tempo/Topaz and Cougar/T-Bird, which had done a good job of pioneering the market since 1983. Clearly, they succeeded brilliantly. For the rest, carefully designed interiors, a decent engine, and well-above-average handling, The production of the Sable was discontinued on May 21, 2009.

Standard drivers-side air bag and newly optional anti-lock brakes. ABS is available only on sedans, and replaces the rear drums with discs. The dashboard and instrument cluster are new, and slide-out coin and cup holder trays have been added. A tilt steering column is now standard, and a compact-disc player is a new option. Sable is a plusher version of the Ford Taurus and comes in GS and LS grades.

Power is supplied by a standard 3.0-liter V-6 or an optional 3.8-liter V-6. Ordering the 3.8 this year brings variable assist power steering. The only transmission
is a 4-speed overdrive automatic. In the first model year, customers had the choice between a 66 kW (90 hp) HSC four-cylinder in combination with a three-speed automatic or a 104 kW 3.0-liter Vulcan V6 coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine proved to be the more popular and successful variant. The sales of the four-cylinder models were so disappointing that these versions were removed from the program in 1987 also updates are minimal and consist of minor details (more powerful battery, small accessories added to standard equipment, etc (the Taurus they were still available until 1991). Ford's 3.8-liter Essex V6 was added to the engine range in 1988.

Despite the identical with the Vulcan V6 power of 104 kW (141 hp), the Essex had thanks to its larger displacement, a higher torque of 291 Nm, which was especially welcome in the heavier combi variants. However, the Essex 3.8 suffered reliability problems with the cylinder head gaskets. Cooling problems also occurred.

Over the years, the Sable learned only minor modifications, mainly in the areas of equipment and design.

In the autumn of 1991, after sales had dropped to just under 90,000 copies, the second generation of Sable was introduced.