Mercury Tracer

Mercury Tracer

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company Mazda
Production	1988-1999
Predecessor	Mercury Lynx
Successor	Ford Focus (Mexico)
Layout	FF layout
Manuals	Service Manual

The Mercury Tracer is a compact car that was sold by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. It was based on the platform of the Mazda 323, replacing the European-derived Mercury Lynx. It is the Mercury version of the Ford Escort.

1988-1989

First generation

Production	1988-1989
Assembly	Hermosillo, Mexico Hiroshima, Japan
Class	Subcompact
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 4-door station wagon 5-door hatchback
Engine(s)	1.6 L Mazda B6 I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 3-speed Mazda F3A automatic
Wheelbase	94.7 in (2,410 mm)
Length	Hatchback: 162.0 in (4,110 mm) Wagon: 169.7 in (4310 mm)
Width	65.2 in (1,660 mm)
Height	Hatchback: 53.0 in (1,350 mm) Wagon: 53.7 in (1364 mm)
Related	Ford Laser Mazda 323

The Tracer was introduced in 1987 for the 1988 model year. It was a rebadged version of the Ford Laser model already sold in Asia and Australia, which was itself a restyled Mazda 323. The 5-door hatchbacks were built in Hermosillo, Mexico, and the 3-door hatchbacks were assembled (along with the Mazda 323) in Hiroshima, Japan. This was the only generation of the Mercury Tracer sold in Canada.

Engines

• 1.6 L B6 I4, 82 horsepower (61 kW)/92 ft·lbf (125 N·m)

1991-1996

Second generation

Production	1991-1996
Assembly	Hermosillo, Mexico
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Engine(s)	1.9 L CVH I4 1.8 L Mazda B8 I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed M5 manual 4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2500 mm)
Length	Wagon: 171.3 in (4351 mm) Sedan: 170.9 in (4341 mm)
Width	66.7 in (1,690 mm)
Height	Wagon: 52.7 in (1,340 mm) Wagon: 53.6 in (1361 mm)
Curb weight	2498 lb (1133 kg)
Related	Ford Escort Mazda 323 Mazda Protegé

Ford replaced the hatchback-only Tracer in 1991 with a twin of the Ford Escort, based on the Mazda 323's B platform. The Tracer LTS (which used the more powerful 1.8L Mazda engine) was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1991.

Engines

• 1.9 L (1,859 cc) CVH I4, 88 hp (66 kW) 108 ft·lbf (146 N·m)
• 1.8 L (1,839 cc) BP I4, 127 hp (95 kW) 114 ft·lbf (154 N·m) LTS

Trim levels

Tracer sedan

• base • 1991-1996
• LTS • 1991-1996

Tracer wagon

• base • 1991-1996

1997-1999

Third generation

Production	1997-1999
Assembly	Wayne, Michigan
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Engine(s)	2.0 L SPI 2000 I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed IB5 manual 4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2,500 mm)
Length	Wagon: 172.7 in (4387 mm) Sedan: 174.7 in (4,440 mm)
Width	67.0 in (1,700 mm)
Height	Sedan: 53.3 in (1,350 mm) Wagon: 53.9 in (1369 mm)
Related	Ford Escort Mazda Protegé

1997-1998 Mercury Tracer wagon

The Tracer and Escort were updated in 1997 with a redesigned exterior and interior, and a new engine. The platform remained the same as before.

The Tracer wagon largely retained the same body style, gaining only the new interior, front end & fascia, side-view mirrors, door handles, badging, and slightly restyled taillamps & reflectors.

All Tracer models were discontinued in 1999 along with the Escort wagon.

Trim levels were base (sometimes called GS) and LS, and there was also a Trio appearance package as well (as with the 91-96 model), sold between 1998 and 1999. The LS was the luxury model, offering some options not common in a compact model such as leather interior, key-less entry, power windows/door locks, etc. LS models also had tachometers, alloy wheels, etc. that were not on the base model.

Trim levels

Tracer sedan

• GS • 1997-1999
• LS • 1997-1999

Tracer wagon

• LS • 1997-1999

Engines

• 2.0 L (1986 cc) SPI 2000 I4, 110 hp

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