And while Montego's beltline is high, so too is the wrap of windows around the cabin so a driver has good sight lines with virtually no blind spots -- note triangular glass in rear roof pillars to diminish corner vision blockage.

Essentially, the cabin for Montego was designed around the body sizes of intended occupants, with more than adequate room crafted for long legs and broad shoulders.

The layout pitches a pair of bucket seats up front divided by a multi-function console and followed by a rear bench for three with seatback split 60/40 in sections. With rear seatbacks folded down, Montego's backseat converts into a cargo compartment.

Issues of personal safety in the car are addressed with strong structural elements and energy-absorbing crush zones front and rear plus a variety of active and passive safety systems aboard.

All versions contain dual-stage frontal air bags for front riders with smart sensors in place to track the severity of a frontal crash along with the driver's seat position in proximity to the steering wheel and whether seat belts are being used. Side-impact air bags for front seats and curtain-style air bags for front and rear outboard seats are offered optionally in a safety package for $595.

Standard equipment promoting active safety includes quick rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes tied to an anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Montego is configured for front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. The AWD device is a sophisticated electronically-controlled system developed by Haldex of Sweden. It's always engaged and automatically splits the engine's torque between front and rear wheels to keep tires sticking securely to pavement, wet or dry.

All versions of Montego stock a Ford Duratec 3.0-liter aluminum
V6 engine. The plant produces 203 hp at 5750 rpm plus torque of 207 lb-ft at 4550 rpm.

For FWD models, the shifter is a nice wide-ratio six-speed automatic transaxle by Aisin, while the AWD models come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) developed jointly by Ford and Germany's ZF-Batavia.

Montego divides into two trim grades -- Premier and Luxury, each with FWD or AWD traction.

The Luxury model carries 17-inch wheels, foglamps and heated power mirrors, a remote keyless entry system with handy keypad on the driver's door, power controls for door locks and windows, dual-zone electronic climate controls, six-way power for the driver's bucket and a fold-flat front passenger seat, the split-fold rear seat with fold-down rear armrest and cupholders, a tilt steering wheel with remote audio controls and an audio system with CD player.

Premier grade adds a traction control system (TCS), 18-inch alloy wheels, Audiophile premium stereo equipment with six-disc CD deck, leather seats plus memory function for power seats, mirrors and adjustable pedals.

For More Information Click: Mercury Montego
For the Chevrolet 2005 Model Guide : Click Here

(...BACK)