Ford's original Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, launched in 1985 as '86 models, were U.S.-market groundbreakers. Compared to the bland, boring, often quality challenged entries occupying other domestic showrooms at the time, they burst onto the U.S. market with eye-catching looks, decent dynamics and a "Quality Is Job One" new corporate attitude.
Not everyone warmed to their styling at first, but enough people did that they soon became runaway hits. Taurus was Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1986, Ford's best-selling vehicle by 1987 and the country's best-selling car by 1992, a crown it wore for five straight seasons. Sable revived Mercury's fortunes, and together they turned around the corporation.
Not so successful were the overly ovoid next-generation Taurus and Sable unveiled a decade later. Due mostly to tougher import competition and partly to their styling, their sales slipped, Taurus lost its car sales leadership title, and both cars' fortunes sank over time.
Fast-forward another decade to Ford's almost equally revolutionary Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego. In contrast to the original Taurus/Sable, they excelled inside and underneath, mostly out of view, and-despite game-changing interior room and surprisingly good dynamics at reasonable prices-they did not sell especially well. Their primary problems were clean but bland (VW-esque) styling, lackluster performance and an efficient but odd-feeling continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Meanwhile, many wondered why those once-magic badges languished on previous-generation Taurus/Sable rental cars instead of being bolted onto these all-new sedans, which might have helped their acceptance. Good question, Ford finally agreed.
They're back-better than ever
For 2008, they've returned, accompanied by bolder styling, a more powerful engine, a smooth six-speed automatic, and significant content, quietness and safety improvements. Ford says the '08 Sable has 601 improvements: 600 engineering upgrades and the name change.
This Sable's handsome new face begins with its Mercury signature satin aluminum waterfall grille, flanked by finely detailed, jewel-like projector beam headlamps that sweep up over the front fenders. Its LED taillamps are predominantly white lenses with red accent stripes, and its new rear fascia has an aggressive cutout for its chrome-tipped "quasi-dual" exhausts. Inside its roomy, quiet cabin is rich two-tone trim with a choice of accent styles: Cyber Carbon" (Sable models only), a high-gloss finish that resembles carbon fiber, or two different wood grains. The standard cloth seats have a modern graphic design, while Premier models offer supple two-tone leather-trim seats with contrasting stitching and a perforated pattern that is repeated on the door panels. Besides a standard auxiliary audio input jack and optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio, available convenience and connectivity features include voice- activated navigation with text-to-speech technology in English, Spanish and French, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system (Premier only), and Mercury SYNC, a voice-activated, hands-free in-car system that integrates most mobile phones and media players into the car via Bluetooth technology and USB connection.
Roomiest cabin
Ford says the new Sable (like Taurus) offers the roomiest interior of any largesedan, with best-in-class interior volume, a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat for extra-long cargo. Three inches longer than the previous Sable but a foot shorter than the old-style rear-drive Grand Marquis, it cleverly crams a big-car interior into what is essentially a mid-size body and adds a 21.2 cu. ft. trunk, one of the largest anywhere.
One appealing SUV-like attribute is Command Seating?, helping drivers see over (or at least eye-to-eye with) other vehicles for a feeling of security. The front seat H (hip) point is four inches higher than that in a typical mid-size sedan, and the rear seats are higher still. And we especially like the airliner-like foot room under the cross-car structure-mounted front seats.
The cabin also gets a super-quiet treatment that includes wind noise-reducing foam pellets in the A-pillars and advanced sound-deadening material in the doors, pillars and headliner. Road noise is lessened by strategic stiffening where the floor pan meets the rear package shelf, and a new temperature control system is 50percent quieter that the previous unit.
Chassis dynamics
The 2008 Sable is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car with available all-wheel drive (AWD). A revised MacPherson-strut front suspension with increased travel, new dampers and spring rates, and a retuned independent coil-over-shock rear suspension contributes to its confident feel. A new power steering system uses an "intelligent" hydraulic pump with electronic-controlled flow to provide extra assist for low-speed maneuvers and parking, then dials it down at higher speeds. The optional AWD system-similar to the one on the Mercury's new Mariner SUV-features an electronically controlled center coupling that can distribute exact amounts of torque from front to rear, up to 100 percent to either axle.
Available all-wheel drive with standard traction control uses selective braking to transfer torque side-to-side as well, while available AdvanceTrac? electronic stability control (ESC) can help drivers avoid dangerous skids. AWD models also have self-leveling rear shocks to maintain correct ride height regardless of load. Dual-piston aluminum front calipers and large rotors front and rear provide strong, fade-free braking, while the fully independent suspension, stiff body structure and precise rack-and-pinion steering give supple ride with surprisingly athletic handling.
The new 3.5-liter V-6 engine pumps out an energetic 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. Teamed with a new six-speed automatic transmission, it provides a major performance boost over the previous 3.0-liter/CVT combination offers an impressive fuel-economy improvement.
Safety and features
Impressively, the '08 Sable has earned NHTSA maximum five-star ratings in all crash test categories and with the available AdvanceTrac with electronic stability control, a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Its standard safety package includes dual-stage front airbags, seatdeployed front side airbags and Ford's Safety Canopy System, with rollover sensor, side curtain bags for both rows of seats.
Standard equipment includes front fog lamps, power steering, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and (Ford's exclusive) keyless entry keypad, AM/FM stereo with single CD player and audio input jack in console, one touch up/down driver window, leather-wrapped shift knob, power windows, power locks, power outside mirrors, 4-wheel anti-lock-brakes and a passive anti-theft system. Among its available options (besides those already mentioned) are 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, a power moonroof, heated, leather-trimmed seats, an in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 audiophile sound system, a trunk cargo management system, power adjustable pedals with memory, a Reverse Sensing System, Power Code remote start and Triptunes iPod audio connectivity.
The '08 Sable rejoins Mercury's improving lineup as the brand is attracting new customers with its redesigned Mariner compact SUV and Milan mid-size sedan. We found it more distinctive and more responsive than the Montego it replaces; and, despite its somewhat softer and quieter ride, it retains crisp steering, surprising agility and sure, solid braking. Whether or not you liked the original Sable, this much-improved resurrected one is worth a serious look.
By Gary Witzenburg of autoMedia.com
Not everyone warmed to their styling at first, but enough people did that they soon became runaway hits. Taurus was Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1986, Ford's best-selling vehicle by 1987 and the country's best-selling car by 1992, a crown it wore for five straight seasons. Sable revived Mercury's fortunes, and together they turned around the corporation.
Not so successful were the overly ovoid next-generation Taurus and Sable unveiled a decade later. Due mostly to tougher import competition and partly to their styling, their sales slipped, Taurus lost its car sales leadership title, and both cars' fortunes sank over time.
Fast-forward another decade to Ford's almost equally revolutionary Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego. In contrast to the original Taurus/Sable, they excelled inside and underneath, mostly out of view, and-despite game-changing interior room and surprisingly good dynamics at reasonable prices-they did not sell especially well. Their primary problems were clean but bland (VW-esque) styling, lackluster performance and an efficient but odd-feeling continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Meanwhile, many wondered why those once-magic badges languished on previous-generation Taurus/Sable rental cars instead of being bolted onto these all-new sedans, which might have helped their acceptance. Good question, Ford finally agreed.
They're back-better than ever
For 2008, they've returned, accompanied by bolder styling, a more powerful engine, a smooth six-speed automatic, and significant content, quietness and safety improvements. Ford says the '08 Sable has 601 improvements: 600 engineering upgrades and the name change.
This Sable's handsome new face begins with its Mercury signature satin aluminum waterfall grille, flanked by finely detailed, jewel-like projector beam headlamps that sweep up over the front fenders. Its LED taillamps are predominantly white lenses with red accent stripes, and its new rear fascia has an aggressive cutout for its chrome-tipped "quasi-dual" exhausts. Inside its roomy, quiet cabin is rich two-tone trim with a choice of accent styles: Cyber Carbon" (Sable models only), a high-gloss finish that resembles carbon fiber, or two different wood grains. The standard cloth seats have a modern graphic design, while Premier models offer supple two-tone leather-trim seats with contrasting stitching and a perforated pattern that is repeated on the door panels. Besides a standard auxiliary audio input jack and optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio, available convenience and connectivity features include voice- activated navigation with text-to-speech technology in English, Spanish and French, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system (Premier only), and Mercury SYNC, a voice-activated, hands-free in-car system that integrates most mobile phones and media players into the car via Bluetooth technology and USB connection.
Roomiest cabin
Ford says the new Sable (like Taurus) offers the roomiest interior of any largesedan, with best-in-class interior volume, a 60/40 fold-flat rear seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat for extra-long cargo. Three inches longer than the previous Sable but a foot shorter than the old-style rear-drive Grand Marquis, it cleverly crams a big-car interior into what is essentially a mid-size body and adds a 21.2 cu. ft. trunk, one of the largest anywhere.
One appealing SUV-like attribute is Command Seating?, helping drivers see over (or at least eye-to-eye with) other vehicles for a feeling of security. The front seat H (hip) point is four inches higher than that in a typical mid-size sedan, and the rear seats are higher still. And we especially like the airliner-like foot room under the cross-car structure-mounted front seats.
The cabin also gets a super-quiet treatment that includes wind noise-reducing foam pellets in the A-pillars and advanced sound-deadening material in the doors, pillars and headliner. Road noise is lessened by strategic stiffening where the floor pan meets the rear package shelf, and a new temperature control system is 50percent quieter that the previous unit.
Chassis dynamics
The 2008 Sable is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car with available all-wheel drive (AWD). A revised MacPherson-strut front suspension with increased travel, new dampers and spring rates, and a retuned independent coil-over-shock rear suspension contributes to its confident feel. A new power steering system uses an "intelligent" hydraulic pump with electronic-controlled flow to provide extra assist for low-speed maneuvers and parking, then dials it down at higher speeds. The optional AWD system-similar to the one on the Mercury's new Mariner SUV-features an electronically controlled center coupling that can distribute exact amounts of torque from front to rear, up to 100 percent to either axle.
Available all-wheel drive with standard traction control uses selective braking to transfer torque side-to-side as well, while available AdvanceTrac? electronic stability control (ESC) can help drivers avoid dangerous skids. AWD models also have self-leveling rear shocks to maintain correct ride height regardless of load. Dual-piston aluminum front calipers and large rotors front and rear provide strong, fade-free braking, while the fully independent suspension, stiff body structure and precise rack-and-pinion steering give supple ride with surprisingly athletic handling.
The new 3.5-liter V-6 engine pumps out an energetic 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. Teamed with a new six-speed automatic transmission, it provides a major performance boost over the previous 3.0-liter/CVT combination offers an impressive fuel-economy improvement.
Safety and features
Impressively, the '08 Sable has earned NHTSA maximum five-star ratings in all crash test categories and with the available AdvanceTrac with electronic stability control, a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Its standard safety package includes dual-stage front airbags, seatdeployed front side airbags and Ford's Safety Canopy System, with rollover sensor, side curtain bags for both rows of seats.
Standard equipment includes front fog lamps, power steering, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and (Ford's exclusive) keyless entry keypad, AM/FM stereo with single CD player and audio input jack in console, one touch up/down driver window, leather-wrapped shift knob, power windows, power locks, power outside mirrors, 4-wheel anti-lock-brakes and a passive anti-theft system. Among its available options (besides those already mentioned) are 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, a power moonroof, heated, leather-trimmed seats, an in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 audiophile sound system, a trunk cargo management system, power adjustable pedals with memory, a Reverse Sensing System, Power Code remote start and Triptunes iPod audio connectivity.
The '08 Sable rejoins Mercury's improving lineup as the brand is attracting new customers with its redesigned Mariner compact SUV and Milan mid-size sedan. We found it more distinctive and more responsive than the Montego it replaces; and, despite its somewhat softer and quieter ride, it retains crisp steering, surprising agility and sure, solid braking. Whether or not you liked the original Sable, this much-improved resurrected one is worth a serious look.
By Gary Witzenburg of autoMedia.com
