FEBRUARY 16, 1993 THE RETRIEVER /PAGE 7

93 Villager leaves Chrysler in the dust It's been nine years now since judged. Chrysler's were also so pleasant to drive because of Gregory J. Cosden America got its first look at the Retriever Staff Writer vehicle of the future — the . their "car-like" demeanor. Well, the If you were to ask any automotive Villager can easily be called a car journalist what the single-most without the "like" qualifier attached important vehicle to emerge from to it. 1993 Mercury any manufacturer in the world over It's amazing how a vehicle with Villager GS the last quarter century or so they an overall height of 67.6 inches and would all probably agree that the a solid beam rear axle can handle By the Numbers minivan market grows larger every so benignly over bumps and with (1 to 10 scale) year. There's lots of money to be very little body roll. I mean, the Note: Vehicles are judged made in this profitable segment, a center of gravity has to be some- numerically relative to the segment all but owned by the where in the chest region, yet the merits of other competitors in Plymouth Voyager/Dodge Cara- Villager goes where its pointed their respective class (i.e. min- van twins. It seemed that no manu- without protest. ivans to other minivans, sports facturer alone could topple the The steering feels remarkably cars to other sports cars, family minivan king from the top of his connected, too. Its variable-assist sedans to other family sedans, hill. Not GM, not Mazda, not even damping does filter out some road etc.) mighty Toyota with its futuristic feel, but straight line tracking is Previa. excellent. Turn in is quick (I won't ENGINE 9 Enter and Ford. They say crisp) and lateral loads on the (power smoothness) realized that the only way to beat tires are felt, though no more than TRANSMISSION 9 Chrysler was to play tag team. With in, say, a family like the (shifting competence) Nissan's aging Axxes minivan Taurus. We're not talking about a HANDLING 9 looking more and more like a thing Porsche here. (responsiveness from medieval times every year, and Cornering grip is decent, with of chassis/ steering) Ford's Aerostar more of a trailer plenty understeer to remind even ERGONOMICS 7 tower than a family hauler, the two the dim of wit that enough is enough (styling, user-friendliness companies put their corporate when attempting to take turns at of interior) heads together and struck a deal. illegal velocities. COMFORT 9 They both needed a more modern, That would-be felon would have (of seats, driving position, "car-like" alternative if either was no trouble attaining those speeds photo courtesy PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LINCOLN—MERCURY DIVISION general refinement) to make any waves in the market. either. With a single overhead cam The 1993 Mercury Villager is "taking names and kicking butts." STYLING 9 So it was determined thus : Nissan 3.0 liter V6 pumping out 151 (exterior aesthetics) would do most of the engineering/ smooth horsepower, the Villager generous suspension travel. Couple Plus the Villager just plain looks ficient of 0.36, those looks are more RIDE 8 design chores (with much input does not lack for power. But with the supple suspension with a remar- good. It's aerodynamic without than two-tone paint deep. The sleek (suspension compliance) from Ford) and Ford would manu- a curb weight of 3768 pounds to kably stiff chassis and you have the looking weird (like the egg-shaped exterior works as well in the wind UTILITY 10 facture the vehicle in a renamed and haul around, the GS may feel a bit recipe for a smooth, rattle and Previa, or "door-stopper" inspired (passenger space, revamped truck plant located at tame to some. In the realm of bump-free voyage. GM minivans). With a drag coef- (see MERCURY, page 8) cargo capacity) Avon Lake, Ohio. Nissan would minivans, however, the Villager is VALUE 9 market one version as the Quest and quickest in the 0 to 60 mph dash. (overall quality, appeal) Ford's Mercury division would And the engine's quiet to boot. Mercury CHASSIS: CAPACITIES: receive a version known as the Nissan supplied the motor and the transmission. The two talk to each Villager GS Independent front and Fuel tank 20 gals. Villager. Since the car is considered Cargo space 126 cu. ft. PLUSES: Handsomest of all to be a domestic by the government other in an electronic tongue that beam axle rear suspension Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Variable power-assisted minivans, smooth drivetrain, ple- (over 75 percent domestic content), translates into smooth shifts and minivan 7-passenger, rack and pinion steering PERFORMANCE: thora of seating configurations, Nissan also avoided the tariff placed seamless power. If the shift points 3-door steel body refined demeanor. on imported minivans (considered aren't aggressive enough for you, Vented front discs and (Source: Car and Driver MINUSES: No airbag, some trucks by the government). The there's a switch that toggles between Base price - $16,504 finned drum rear brakes, July 1992) controls awkward to use, wimpy Villager is simply known as a Normal and Power modes. I pretty Price as tested - $20,760 ABS standard p205/75rl5 0 to 60 mph 11.1 sec. cupholders. domestic minivan. Period. much left it in Power mode most General Radial ST 0 to 100 mph 47.0 sec. POWERTRAIN: tires and wheels THE BOTTOM LINE: Newest After having driven a Mercury of the time (heh-heh). 12-valveOHCv6 Quarter mile 18.4 sec. minivan on the market is now the Villager GS for a week, I can safely Ride quality surpasses most, if @ 75 mph 181 CID(2960cc) DIMENSIONS: best minivan. say that Chrysler better worry not all, of its competitors. With Power SAE net Top speed 105 mph MARKET COMPETITION: because there's a new minivan king simple struts and coils springs up 151 bhp@4800rpm Wheelbase 112.2 in. Braking Toyota Previa, Mazda MPV, in town, and he's taking names and front and an even simpler beam Torque SAE net Length 189.9 in. 70 to 0 mph- 196 ft. Dodge Caravan/Plymouth kicking butts. axle/coil spring/shock absorber set 174 lb.-ft. @4400 rpm Width 73.7 in. Roadholding 0.71 g. Voyager, Pontiac Transport, Chev- With the introduction of the up in the rear, the Villager handles 4-speed electronically controlled Height 67.6 in. EPA estimates, mpg 'rolet Lumina APV, Oldsmobile Villager, Mercury has raised the bumps in the simplest manner automatic transmission Curb weight 3768 lbs. 17 city 23 highway ' Silhouette. standards by which minivans are possible: it soaks them up with