F or the last season about Fox frame, Ford dialed in a few tweaks for any 1988 Mercury Cougar

The 1988 Mercury Cougar

While there were no big changes anyplace regarding the vehicle, adequate news happened to be built to meet the requirements this much more than a carryover 12 months. Ford confirmed that 1989 would result in an all-new Cougar on a brand new frame, so retailers expected greater levels inside the showrooms-and they were proper. The 1988 model season turned out to be outstanding one your Cougar as product sales soared.

1988 Cougar XR-7

The 1988 Cougar XR-7 now presented a stunning newer monochromatic paint strategy, obtainable in Oxford White, media Scarlet or Ebony. They highlighted body-colored part moldings, grille and outside decorative mirrors; blacked-out window cut; black colored doorway manages and important encircles; and body-colored 15″ aluminum tires that came from brand new 1987 Mustang GT (argent tires happened to be optional on XR-7). Interestingly, there had been no unique “XR-7″ C-pillar emblems, nevertheless standard LS emblems rather. And there was special pinstriping for all the XR-7, a decal that rode above the top shoulder range and ended from the grille. The 1988 Cougar XR-7 was actually perhaps the most identifiable of Cougar versions from 1983 to 1988 and continues to be attractive even today.

Mechanically the XR-7 obtained an 8.8″ back differential, thought to be truly the only Cougar from 1983-88 to achieve the big back shaft. No big suspension improvement happened to be produced. The conventional 5.0L V8 motor in addition had no electricity increase but the improvement of a split double exhaust bumped right up total production 5 ponies to all in all, 155hp. Once more the only real sign is the 4-speed AOD overdrive sign.

The top development when it comes to XR-7’s interior was actually the return regarding the standard analogue determine cluster, missing since 1986. A V8-spec tachometer is the sole differ from the final variation. Additionally, the activity tyre, shown right here, became regular. The full digital device group is an option for XR-7 and the LS.

1988 Cougar LS

Whilst the Cougar LS model was actually the same as the last model year, save your self for shade options, there are improvement towards the applications. The base 3.8L V6 got an inside balance shaft and a multiport energy injections program for smoother operation and considerably better throttle responses. Power is now ranked at 140hp and today the V6 certainly felt better and responsive than their CFI forerunner. Gasoline economy got bumped up somewhat consequently. Just like the XR-7 unit, the 5.0L V8 gotten a unique quasi-dual exhaust for a maximum of 155hp.

Because auto insurance in the us was these types of a pricey and difficult prospect inside 1980s, the entrepreneur dating app free notion of shelling out virtually U.S. $20,000 (or higher) for an XR-7 unit after which guaranteeing it at full-value is, because you can guess, expensive. The difficulty got that, even though the XR-7 had a standard-output V8 rather than the performance-oriented HO 5.0 through the Mustang, it absolutely was however thought about a “football” or “performance” unit, thus thumping up insurance fees. However, wise Cougar buyers could order a fully-loaded LS product with the V8 and also have an online XR-7 duplicate, help save for the paint design and tires, and luxuriate in lower insurance rates. This proved to be a well known action for several buyers given that used market for 1988 Cougars routinely shows various V8 trucks.

The 1988 3.8L V6 presented an all-new consumption plenum, lower intake, cylinder minds, valve covers, items and brackets, and air-intake. The V6 started initially to highly look like the 5.0L V8 in format and appears, and some elements are even shared amongst the motors.

an example associated with 3.8L V6 interior stability shaft. It absolutely was set up to offer a counterbalance for additional smoothness and less NVH. But ended up being removed in 1989 and do not gone back to the motor, obviously creating perhaps not already been as effective as supposed.

Bottom Line

Sales picked up well for the Cougar in 1988, so that as the section regarding fourth-generation Cougar closed, the automobile proved to be resilient, trustworthy and reliable, and a good benefits for the money. Lincoln-Mercury retailers understood that Cougar got an excellent wager plus they featured toward the debut for the MN12-chassis automobile to help their unique income plans.

The time in the aero Fox 1983-88 Mercury Cougar became a very popular one. Just did profit rise up throughout this six-model-year years, nevertheless the age of the “aero” auto was today completely move, as additional automakers scrambled to replicate Ford’s see to their cars. In which contending GM threw in the towel the rear-drive phase to visit front drive (fantastic Prix, Cutlass, Regal, Lumina), and aero-look clones showed up (Chrysler LeBaron), Ford have an online secure the midsize rear-drive luxury coupe marketplace. The aero Mercury Cougar had been, simply, the best vehicle from the correct time.

Features Original to 1988 Cougars:

MPFI 3.8L V6 system with interior balance shaft
Monochromatic XR-7 design (just 12 months for this human anatomy style)
Cinnabar interior colors (only season within system style)
Flower Quartz/Cinnabar two-tone exterior tone (one-year merely)
Method Regatta Blue metal outside color (light organization had been unique to every design year)

Technology Specifications

V6-232 3.8L Emissions Recalls 1. 91E14 will 92 Remember 91E14 Catalyst Inspection/Replacement – 49 Claims 2. 91E03 JAN 92 Catalyst Inspection/Replacement Emissions Remember 91E03