When the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique first made their debut, there were only two criticisms: bland exterior styling and limited rear seat legroom. And the complaints about tight rear seat space came primarily from the automotive press, as distinct from owners.
Nevertheless, Ford has addressed the roominess issue, as well as the exterior appearance, with a number of revisions that will be in Ford and Mercury showrooms this spring as 1998 models. And to add additional sizzle, there will also be a sportier edition of the Contour, called the SVT Contour.
The idea of a vehicle designed to serve markets from Detroit to Dublin isn’t new. Most major carmakers have tried their hand at this game at one time or another. And, to varying degrees, most have failed. But with consumer needs, tastes and concerns becoming increasingly uniform worldwide, the idea makes more sense now than ever before.