Mercury Villager: История Модели и Эволюция Имени

The Mercury Villager is a minivan that was marketed by Mercury from 1993 to 2002. Taking its name used by Mercury to denote its wood trimmed station wagons, the Villager was developed in a joint venture between Ford and Nissan; the latter manufacturer marketed the line as the Nissan Quest. The first front wheel drive van produced by Ford, the Mercury Villager was introduced between the Ford Aerostar and the Ford Windstar, competing against Chrysler minivans and the General Motors APV minivans. Two generations of the model line were produced, with the Villager undergoing a full redesign for 1999. In a first for the minivan segment, the model line replaced a removable rear seat with a design that was repositionable (dependent on passenger or cargo use). The Villager was the last Mercury developed with the lightbar grille used by the brand. The Villager was produced alongside the Nissan Quest by Ford at its Ohio Assembly facility (Avon Lake, Ohio) alongside the Ford Econoline/Club Wagon. After 2002, the Ford Nissan joint venture ended, with both companies developing minivans on their own. Nissan released a new generation of the Quest, while the Villager was replaced entirely; for 2004, Mercury released a revived Monterey as its second minivan (a divisional counterpart of the Ford Freestar).

The Edsel division of Ford introduced the Villager nameplate for the 1958 model year, with the Edsel Villager serving as its mid range station wagon. Offered in a four door configuration with a fully painted exterior, the Villager was marketed through the 1960 model year. Following the demise of Edsel, Mercury reintroduced the Villager nameplate for the 1962 model year as part of the Comet compact series. Again denoting a station wagon, the Comet Villager was offered with simulated woodgrain trim. From 1962 to 1984, Mercury marketed the Villager as the Mercury counterpart of the Ford "Squire" trim, denoting wood trim station wagons (excluding the full size Mercury Colony Park). The Comet Villager was produced from 1962 to 1967 and was followed by five more uses of the Villager name, including the Montego (1970–1976), Bobcat (1975–1980), Cougar (1977 and 1982), Zephyr (1978–1981) and Lynx (1981–1984). Following the introduction of the 1983 Marquis, the Villager nameplate was dropped from wood trim station wagons; while offered with wood trim, the Marquis adopted the Brougham name (the Mercury Sable that replaced it was never offered with the option).

At the beginning of 1988, Ford and Nissan entered a joint venture to develop an all new minivan sold by both automakers. Under the terms of the agreement, the development and engineering of the vehicles was done by Nissan (in the United States); the company also supplied the engine and transmission. Ford would manufacture the vehicles in its own facility, providing components for the vehicle. Introduced alongside the Nissan Quest, the 1992 Mercury Villager was the first Mercury since 1960 produced without a Ford counterpart.

The first generation Villager uses the front wheel drive Ford VX54 platform. While using a Ford codename, the platform is an evolution of the 1989 1994 Nissan Maxima (J30 chassis). Using a 112.2 inch wheelbase, the chassis shares nearly an identical wheelbase with a standard wheelbase 1984 1995 Chrysler minivan (an inch longer than a short wheelbase Chevrolet Astro). The Villager uses MacPherson struts for the front suspension and leaf springs for the solid rear axle. The front brakes were vented discs with rear drums (Rear disc brakes were included on models equipped with the trailer towing package); anti lock brakes were fitted as standard equipment. Ford requested the addition of an oil level sensor and the relocation of the oil filter assembly (for better access).

At 190 inches long, the first generation Villager nearly matches the extended length 1991–1995 Chrysler minivans in length. In contrast to the Aerostar, the Villager was produced solely as a passenger van and in a single body length. All versions were produced with single sliding door. In line with the Mercury Sable and Mercury Topaz sedans, the Villager was distinguished from its Nissan Quest counterpart by its front lightbar grille. While the exterior and interior of the vehicle was designed primarily by Nissan, many interior components were sourced from Ford. In line with the Aerostar, the Villager was equipped with optional rear seat radio controls and air conditioning vents. For the 1996, multiple two tone color schemes joined the blue/white exterior. Retuned for a softer ride, the second generation Villager retained its suspension configuration from the previous generation, including front MacPherson struts and a rear beam axle. The front brakes were vented discs with rear drum brakes; ABS was offered as an option.

From 1995 to 2001, the first generation Mercury Villager was marketed by Chinese auto manufacturers through the use of CKD kits. Guangzhou Yunbao (today part of Dongfeng Fengshen) marketed the Yunbao YB6480; traditionally using CKD vehicles from Nissan, the YB6480 retained its Mercury badging.