Test drive Ford Cougar 1998 - 2001 compartment

The cat is a scientist

This flexible animal is called an American, silver or mountain lion. In America there are 30 of his subspecies. In the stone jungle of cities, a new individual Ford Cougar settled.
In German, there is an ironic statement that cars came up with so that people would not miss. But Ford took, and created a car with which you really can’t get bored, and in all respects and in the best sense. Her name is Cougar.
This is the second attempt by the European Ford branch to establish itself in the sector of the sports coupe. The first Probe was not quite successful. As it turns out with Cougar, the future will show, but for now, a powerful and stylish sportkup built on the Mondeo platform gives the impression of a car with very good prospects. Soon this car will be able to evaluate this car in the new year Ford plans to start its official sales in Russia.
Fangs and claws. It would seem that it could be common between the new Ford style of New Edge and living nature? Geometrically verified curves with sharp faces in the places of their intersections, sharply defined segments and hemispheres. But both the real kuguar consists entirely of the muscles, so the Cugar-car is performed by the graceful beauty and power of its living namesake, a sort of clotting of energy.
Such an analogy arises primarily due to the inclined line of the profile, descending from the trunk to the hood, and the raised massive and narrowed to the end of the stern with a sharp relief of the end part, with a massive bumper surrounded from the bottom. If you look at him in the face, the resemblance to the wild beast from the cat family becomes even more pronounced. Squinted the eyes of headlights with small pupils of the lenses of near and high light and a long narrow gap of the lower air intake, as if predatoryly ajar mouth under the thick upper lip of the bumper. The impression is enhanced by fog lights located at the corners of this mouth. The included, they resemble gleaming slightly grinned fangs of the predator. The triangular, with rounded corners, the lateral mirrors, also similar to the pressed ears of the predator from the cat family.
Miracles of training. Experts of the Wild World would not want to meet one on one with a living prototype. There are no reasons for fears. Embodied in metal, this beast is perfectly trained in Ford engineers and is ready to submit to you unquestioningly.
His heart recognized by many as one of the best Ford's engines to the 6-cylinder 24-valve Duratec. It works amazingly evenly and silently, no vibrations, and its work can only be judged by the position of the tachometer arrows. The gearbox drive is made in the form of a system of cable rods, which is expressed in the complete absence of vibration on the lever. Its move is very short, and the inclusion of gears is precisely accurate.
The traction characteristics and elasticity of this Duratec 2.5 can bring even the most demanding critic into admiration. And the bottoms and tops are magnificent, especially the bottom. What perfectly complements the mechanical gearbox with new gear rates. It is enough to turn on the program and, without pressing the gas, smoothly release the clutch pedal so that the car has already drove off. And in order to accelerate sharply, it is not necessary to pull the gearbox with a lever. In most cases, there is a sufficiently sharp pressure on the gas, and the car responds with a soft, but very powerful jump forward, followed by intense acceleration. As it resembles the plastic of the movements of a wild cat, gently, gracefully and silently sneaking up to prey! When the arrow of the tachometer exceeds the 4 thousandth mark, the quiet hiss of the drill under the hood of the predator is replaced by a quiet, but a distinct throat roar, followed by a tangible jerk of grab. Here it is, the beast woke up and is ready to hunt! To enhance the effect, one who has quite good driving skills and wants a greater acute sensation, can turn off the traction control system, or, as it is sometimes called, anti -circus
The vestibular apparatus of our trained predator is akin to his living namesake. A hard, appropriately configured suspension and low-profile rubber on 16-inch discs give it wonderful stability. Plus, successful car weighty. It has amazing strokes for front -wheel drive. And the higher the speed, the denser Cougar is pressed to the road, strictly withstanding the given course. The obedience and predictability of behavior deserve only praise.
It is surprising how the creators of this car managed to find such a successful compromise, thanks to which Cougar was simple, understandable and easy to control for a beginner and at the same time is able to give considerable pleasure an experienced fan of driving. This compromise is expressed both in the engine and in the suspension, which, with obvious stiffness, has not lost sufficient comfort, and in the steering. Despite the fact that, as expected, the steering wheel with a hydraulic wrap is spinning very easily, it is acute, has an excellent feedback, reactive effect and necessary effort, providing good contact with the road. And simply speaking, you can really forget about everything and spend long hours at the wheel of Cougar, enjoying communication with him.
HABITAT. But the allotted time inexorably comes to the end. Before parting, we mark the most striking details in the cabin. The first thing that attracts attention is the complete absence of all kinds of chrome or pseudo -based revitalization. Which, in general, is good, because in the car for the driver who is in the purest form COUGAR, the focus should have functionality in the spotlight. And there is enough style to him without chrome.
The front panel made of soft polymeric materials is massive-solid and elegant at the same time. In the lower part, it is decorated with a strip of dark silver color, and above the instrument panel, a matte-black lining, the material of which is similar to carbon fiber. In addition to decorative, it also performs a purely practical function, preventing reflection in the windshield on a sunny day. Unusual ventilation deflectors are very spectacular, as well as decoration of doors with curved, like a panther tail.
Devices and auxiliary controls are as if divided into three groups. The main speedometer, tachometer and fuel and temperature pointers are made in a traditional style, with large, clear and easily readable numbers and designations. They look absolutely amazing in the dark: the arrows of the devices are bordered by a red blurry reflection, which in combination with green numbers looks just great. The second group, which includes the air conditioning and ventilation control, as well as the tripper-computer display in the same way, is located in the center of the torpedo and on the front console. And above the rear view mirror on the ceiling, the block of control lamps of the on -board computer.
Cougar options are equipped, as they say, by the highest category. There is no cruise control, built-in mobile phone and navigation system. The rest is present, including four airbags and a climate control with a microfilter.
In terms of ergonomics and the convenience of using all these equipment, Cougar does not give a reason for reproaches, except several offensive trifles can serve as a cause for easy annoyance. The low -suspended rear -view mirror on the windshield is constantly in view of view that it begins to annoy, the site for the left leg is not very convenient. At first, a powerful bulge of lumbar support is irritated, but you get used to it quite quickly.
And yet, summing up the overall result, I must say that the car was clearly a success and will undoubtedly be liked by many. Communication with him gives an unforgettable pleasure. You tie it very quickly to it, and, perhaps, over the past year, I have not parted with such regret with any car.
 
Text Andrey Timofeev, photo Alexey Ilyin
 

Source: "Autopilot"