Mercury Debuts 2010 Milan

Debuting alongside at this week’s Los Angeles Auto,the new 2010 Mercury Milan and the Milan Hybrid is set to arrive in showrooms in the first half of 2009.

Mercury Milan shows off its new grille, and front and rear fascias.Its grille is widened, creating a softer-looking front end than the one it replaces. The Milan also gets updated taillights, though its rear view is less of a departure from the current car.

Mercury’s 2010 Milan promises to offer plenty of cabin space and luxury.An improved seat design with a new perforation pattern has been added as well. The seat contour itself was revised, with more side support to help create a softer seat overall.

The Milan also only gets two gas engine options, a 2.5L Duratec four-cylinder with 175hp and or the upgraded 3.0L V6 that makes 240 horsepower, up from 221 HP in the previous model.Six-speed automatic transmissions will back both engines.

There’s also the new Milan Hybrid, which is identical to the Fusion Hybrid, the hybrid delivers 155 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. An upgraded nickel-metal hydride battery is said to be 20 percent more powerful than previous batteries used in Ford hybrids and can drive up to 47 mph on all-electric power.

“The Milan has been a strong part of the Mercury lineup since its initial launch and has helped attract more consumers to dealer showrooms,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford, Lincoln Mercury Marketing. “For sophisticated consumers looking for a stylish hybrid, the Milan now offers them the most fuel-efficient hybrid sedan in its class.”

In the 2010 model year, the Mercury Milan Hybrid will sport better fuel economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid.Ford is claiming that their hybrids will deliver “at least” five more miles per gallon than the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Hybrid cars also gain the customizable LCD “SmartPanel” instrument cluster.