Badge re-engineering: updated Freestar aims for its fair share of a resurgent minivan market

Automotive Industries, Nov, 2003 by John Peter

Dual second row captains chairs, standard on SEL and Limited models, fold and tumble for easy access to the third row seat. With safety in mind, engineers installed a hydraulic piston so the seats won't tumble back on young hands and legs, but need to be pushed back into position.

The pressure settings on the prototypes we were driving were set rather high. I needed both hands and a good amount of oomph to get the seat back down and clipped into the floor. The second row seats are also removable.

The 2004 Freestar has a third row bench seat that folds flat into the floor. Pulling two straps folds the seatback forward, then the whole unit flips over backward into the recess in the rear of the vehicle.

The system is similar to the rear seat in the Honda Odyssey and like the Odyssey, it also drops backward into a tailgating position. A benefit in the Ford system is that the headrests don't need to be removed for either operation. Another asset is the deep storage area available when the third row is in use.

With the third row seat stowed and the second row seats removed, Freestar boasts more than 134 cu.-ft, of cargo space.

Freestar is available in five trim levels: S, SE, SES, SEL and Limited. Engine choices are a standard 193 hp 3.9L V-6, the same power-plant used in the Mustang and F-150 and an optional 201 hp 4.2L V-6 backed up by a 4F50N four-speed automatic transmission that replaces the old four-pinion final drive gear set with a five-pinion set for smoother shifts and a new torque converter for a more responsive launch.

The base MSRP for Freestar ranges from $24,460 to $33,630 including destination and delivery charges. Ford plans to build 200,000 Freestars and Montereys at its Oakville, Ontario, Canada, assembly plant. Job one was August 25, 2003 and the first vans were delivered to dealerships in early October.

An "M" Thing

Four new Mercurys in the next two years.

It's no secret that the Mercury Monterey (a name that should jog more than a few Boomer memories) is aimed directly at the empty-nesters--the baby boomer crowd that will help spur on a little growth in the minivan segment over the next few years.

The Monterey differs little from the Freestar save for the monochromatic exterior color scheme (which includes two unique to Mercury colors and the Mercury 'waterfall' grille. The Mercury also has brushed aluminum trim around the fog lamps and chrome accents around the tail lamps.

Where Ford intends to set the Monterey apart (as well as all other Mercurys) is inside. The Monterey has all of the design cues and amenities that you would expect to find in a luxury sedan.

The interior is trimmed in dark wood and chrome accents with the obligatory analog clock smack in the middle of the IP between the HVAC ducts.

The Monterey also offers heated and cooled front seats, a premium audio system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, tri-zone temperature control and power-adjustable pedals with memory. Monterey also gets front and rear parking sensors and, like Freestar, a Delphi-supplied power liftgate will be available later in the year.