Amid a kaleidoscope of dazzling lights, the launch of Mercury Milan in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday heralds the ubiquitous top-notch quality a sedan could ever have. The Mercury Milan 2010 builds on a strong foundation of quality and reliability, while featuring two new and dynamic powertrains, class-exclusive technologies and a more refined, sophisticated design, inside and out. The new model is available at all Haji Husein Alireza dealerships across the Kingdom. The all-new Mercury Milan is powered by a 2.5-liter I-4 engine which produces 175 net hp and improves its 0-60 mph time by more than 1 second to achieve best-in-class performance. It is available with a six-speed automatic transmission, up from five speeds. Its new Mercury Milan has a choice of the inline four-cylinder engine and an available V-6, with the four-cylinder engine increased to 2.5 liters and the 3-liter V-6 delivering a net horsepower rating of 240. “Mercury has always been a symbol of smart beauty, comfort, understated luxury and quality, and these brand characteristics are clearly manifested in the new Milan which we present to you today,” said Waldo Galan, managing director of Ford Middle East. “The 2010 Milan has seen tremendous success in the US and captured quite a few awards and accolades particularly on the quality front. We are confident that Saudi consumers will welcome this new model at first sight and no doubt, at first drive, especially when they get a feel of its 3L V6 and 6-speed automatic,” he added. “The Milan has energized the Mercury showroom thanks to its attractive and stylish looks, great interior features and driving dynamics, that put it in a class of its own and attracted a new generation of customers to our dealerships,” said Sheikh Ali Alireza, director and general manager, Haji Hussein Alireza & Co, the Mercury importer-dealer in Saudi Arabia. “And for 2010, the new model builds on these attributes and makes them even better, giving the competition a serious challenge.” The changes to the exterior design are focused on the grille, fenders, hood, and front and rear fascias. The chin is pulled forward and the fascia pulled down to give the 2010 Mercury Milan a wider, sportier look. Those changes as well as substantial underbody work make for a cleaner, more aerodynamic car. With all models, the interior design team created a more contemporary, technical look with metallic new finishes on the instrument panel that carry through on the center console, doors and steering wheel. The all-new instrument panel is finished with a soft upper and lower skin and has much less hard plastic than Japanese competitors. A redesigned leather wrapped steering wheel with form fitting palm swells, and new shifter, and wrapped and padded armrests have been added, increasing the Milan's sportiness and comfort at all key driver touch points. The seats received a makeover, as well. The seat contour has been revised, with more side support and overall a more comfortable seat with smoother bolsters and more-textural inserts. The seats also feature contrasting stitching and leather inserts to give the Milan even more attitude, befitting this mid-size sedan. The gauge cluster has been designed with day time backlighting, a black lens, and 3-D elements to create a high tech jewel-like appearance, similar to a fine watch. Drivers will be greeted by a new “welcome” sequence that makes the Milan seem as if it's coming to life. Gauge needles sweep back and forth as the lighting and new chimes come on. The ambient lighting system offers the option of illuminating the front and rear footwells and front cup holders. The two-tone look on the interior continues as a Milan signature, with satin-aluminum accents and a wood finish around the center stack. The new Mercury Milan has a price tag of SR70,000 to SR75,000.
