2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

The 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid comes with a powerful electric motor that complements an even more powerful gasoline engine. The vehicle operates on electric-only mode at speeds of 25 mph or less. A 330-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery provides power to the electric motor and is charged through regenerative braking as well as a generator motor. The battery comes with a 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.

At higher speeds the 2.4L Atkinson cycle gasoline engine takes over in a smooth transition. The gasoline engine combined with the electric motor produces a combined horsepower of 155 and a gas mileage of 34 mpg city/30 mpg highway. The onboard Vehicle System Controller is the brain behind the hybrid Mariner. It performs various functions such as shutting off the engine during coasting and at stoplights, using the electric motor as a generatorduring braking process to capture expended energy, etc.

Priced at a little of $26,430 the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is priced less than the previous year models. For qualified buyers, the Mercury Mariner hybrid qualifies for a $3,000 tax credit on a FWD (front wheel drive) model and $2,200 on a AWD (All wheel drive) model. With the tax incentives running out on popular hybrids such as the Prius, the available tax credit on the Mariner hybrid looks very attractive.

Watch the Ad for the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid: