Overview

What Changed for 2008:

• Available Sync communications system

Voice activation with available navigation system

• Standard tire-pressure-monitoring system


• Standard keyless entry keypad


• Available reverse sensing system


• Available ambient lighting


• Five new exterior colors: White Suede Clearcoat; Moss Green Clearcoat Metallic; Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic; Dark Ink Blue Clearcoat Metallic; and Light Sage Clearcoat Metallic


• Four new optional equipment packages

Overview
The Mercury Milan is one of a trio of products built from the modified Mazda6 platform. It shares many drivetrain components with the Ford Fusion as well as the Lincoln MKZ. The 5-passenger Milan doesn't offer all of the top-end amenities of the MKZ, but has more standard features than the Fusion. The Milan also features unique sheetmetal and a different interior from that of its siblings.

Model Lineup
There are two trim levels offered on the 2008 Mercury Milan, which is in keeping with Mercury's overall product lineup. There's a base Milan, and then the Premier trim level, which has more standard features, such as an up-level audio system and 17-inch wheels and tires. The Premier also is available in an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model. The base Milan trim comes standard with a power driver's seat, air conditioning, a tire-pressure-monitoring system, power windows/doors/mirrors, and other comfort and convenience features that cost extra on the Fusion. Six packages are available on the Milan, starting with the I-4 Auto package that includes a 5-speed automatic transmission and 16-inch wheels, all the way to the Wales Mahogany Wood Appearance package that includes Wales mahogany appliqu on the dash. An Amenities package will be available later in the year and will include a universal garage door opener, ambient lighting, and Ford's reverse sensing system.

Powertrain
Under the hood of the 2008 Mercury Milan is the standard 2.3-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 160 hp and 156 lb.-ft. of torque, or the Duratec 30, a 3.0-liter V-6 engine with 221 hp and 205 lb.-ft. of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard with the 4-cylinder engine, with a 5-speed automatic transmission available. The V-6 engine, with either front-wheel-drive (FWD) or AWD drivetrain, is matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the I-4 are 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual transmission and 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the automatic transmission. The V-6 engine with the 6-speed transmission makes 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway in FWD mode, and 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway with AWD.

Safety
The 2008 Mercury Milan includes standard dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, seat-mounted side air bags for front-seat occupants, side curtain air bags, seat belt pre-tensioners, seat weight-sensing system for the front passenger seat, crash-severity sensing, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Milan 5 stars for both the driver and front passenger, 5 stars for front-row occupants in a side impact, and 4 stars for rear-seat passengers in a side impact. All models tested were equipped with side curtain air bags. The Milan receives 5 stars for a rollover score on AWD models, while the FWD version received 4 stars in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given the Milan a "Good" rating for frontal offset crash tests.

Technology
The 2008 Mercury Milan's available navigation system now comes with a voice-recognition feature. The driver can request and receive travel directions audibly, to provide hands-free capability when driving. Milan has added the Sync voice-activated hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system, which was developed in collaboration with Microsoft. It allows full integration of cell phones and MP3 players with the car's audio system using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity.