The 2003 Detroit show is proving a landmark in design terms. After some years
of bizarrely styled, sharp edged nonsense from the design studios, cold reality
has sunk in again. The major manufacturers have had their pencil pushers working
on curvaceous designs that will excite the man in the street.
Ford set their designers at Mercury the task of coming up with a sleek new
Coupe to reignite interest in the brand. This is the result - the Mercury
Messenger.
The tightly styled coupe is very much in the tradition of American muscle
cars. A 4.6 litre V8 sits up front driving the rear wheels - and 20 inch wheels
at that!
A unique monocoque construction has been used with a composite/aluminum
hybrid 'tub' chassis with super-formed aluminum panels bonded to it. The result
is a body with high torsional rigidity.
Hopefully this does represent the beginning of a new age of stylish coupes.