Cougar was more luxurious and upscale version of the Ford Mustang

[clasione]

The Mercury Cougar is a nameplate used by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company for various cars over several decades. The Cougar was introduced in 1967 as a more luxurious and slightly upscale version of the Ford Mustang. Throughout its history, the Cougar underwent several design changes and variations, evolving from a pony car to a personal luxury car and then to a sport compact car.

Over the years, different generations of the Mercury Cougar were released, each with its own distinct characteristics and features. Some of the notable generations include:

1. First Generation (1967-1970): The early Cougars shared the platform with the Ford Mustang, offering a similar sporty style but with more emphasis on luxury. It was available in various engine options and configurations.
2. Second Generation (1971-1973): This generation saw a larger, more luxurious design with additional comfort features. It was also available in convertible and hardtop models.
3. Third Generation (1974-1976): During the oil crisis era, the Cougar became larger and heavier. This generation was based on the Ford Torino platform and featured more emphasis on comfort and luxury.
4. Fourth Generation (1977-1979): The Cougar moved onto the Ford LTD II platform, adopting a more aerodynamic and sleeker design compared to its predecessor.
5. Fifth Generation (1980-1982): This generation marked a shift towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. The Cougar shared its platform with the Ford Thunderbird and was available in coupe and sedan body styles.
6. Sixth Generation (1983-1988): The Cougar became even smaller and was offered as a compact coupe. It featured front-wheel drive and was built on the Ford Fox platform.
7. Seventh Generation (1989-1997): A shift back to rear-wheel drive and a larger body design. This generation offered various engine options and continued to focus on a blend of luxury and performance.
8. Eighth Generation (1999-2002): The Cougar was reintroduced as a sport compact coupe, sharing a platform with the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. It featured modern styling and aimed at younger buyers.

The Cougar has a storied history and underwent significant changes over its production lifespan, catering to different market segments and evolving automotive trends. However, production of the Cougar was discontinued in 2002, marking the end of this particular model's legacy in the Mercury lineup.