The 2011 Mercury Milan is a midsize sedan. The 2011 Mercury Milan Base has a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine that produces 172 horsepower. The Milan has standard air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped, tilt-telescope steering wheel, and keyless entry. The audio system has 6 speakers, a CD/MP3 player, audio jack, and satellite radio. The Milan has anti-lock brakes, traction and stability controls, side front airbags, and side curtain airbags. It received ratings of 5 stars in all impact tests except the 4 star rating for rear passengers in side impact testing.
The Milan is essentially identical to the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid models, with a thin layer of distinctive styling applied. Both Milan sedans were revamped in 2010, along with their corporate cousins. Buyers can choose from a range of Milan sedans. Those choices include four- or six-cylinder engines, manual or automatic transmissions, front- or all-wheel drive, and a hybrid edition. In basic four-cylinder form, the Milan is a competent performer. Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, as well as side and curtain airbags, are standard on every 2010 Milan and Milan Hybrid. Ford will build a limited number of Milan and Milan Hybrid sedans for sale as 2011 models.
For its final model year, the 2011 Mercury Milan adds one-touch power front windows and integrated spotter mirrors to the standard equipment list. New options include rain-sensing windshield wipers, HD radio and an Appearance package featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a rear spoiler. The available voice-operated Sync system also boasts a new Traffic, Directions and Information service. Ford's midrange Mercury brand is about to join that list, which unfortunately means the 2011 Mercury Milan sedan's days are numbered.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Mercury Milan is a midsize sedan available in base or Premier trims. The Premier adds 17-inch alloys, foglamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, power heated front seats, leather upholstery, unique interior trim and Sync. The Premier's Driver's Vision package adds a blind-spot warning system, rearview camera and rain-sensing wipers. The Moon & Tune package adds a sunroof and 12-speaker Sony surround-sound system. The 2011 Mercury Milan comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. This engine is available only with front-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic are standard, but all-wheel drive is optional. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22/29/24 with front-wheel drive.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Milan models. In the side-impact test, the 2011 Mercury Milan earned five stars for front passengers and four stars for those in the rear.
Sure, most people would love to have a Bugatti Veyron; sadly, at over a million bucks a pop we're talking a vehicle that's slightly out of reach for most consumers. Thankfully, one man and eBay have rectified this issue with something we'll call a Cougatti (or Bougar).
Based on a 112,000-mile 2002 Mercury Cougar with a V6 and automatic transmission, this one-of-one Cougatti has a starting bid of $89,000 and no takers as of this writing. Potential buyers get all the body work, 20-inch wheels, angel eye HID headlights, LED tails, two gas caps (one functional), and power windows/mirrors.
In an unusual announcement today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) voiced concerns that millions of Ford vehicles previously recalled for a faulty cruise control system may have not been repaired, despite FoMoCo's notification efforts.
The safety agency noted that Ford Motor Company "has been diligent in contacting owners of the affected vehicles, including sending re-notification letters to owners in many cases."
Styling trends come and go, but if there's one thing that has remained relatively unchanged in the past 105 years of personal motoring: the steering wheel.
Although plastics have replaced iron and wood and airbags (1970s) and radio controls (1990s) have been added, the basic design remains the same: a circular ring with spokes connected to a central hub.
Alan Mulally, President and CEO of FoMoCo, told an audience of business leaders at the Confederation of British Industry in London today that Ford is looking to downsize its current lineup to 20-25 models in an attempt to "simplify" and build better cars.
It seems to make sense; instead of spreading yourself too thin and trying to be everything to everyone at the cost of quality, spend more of your resources on fewer models to ensure a well put-together product.
