31 March 1999

The 2000 Mercury Sable's exterior and interior 2000

design provides an alternative to the everyday Sable

car, rewarding its owners with a superb new sedan.

Outside, the 2000 Sable features new body panels, with

only the greenhouse and doors carried over from the

previous model. The hood is slightly higher at the front

and the cowl to give the vehicle a more powerful and

robust appearance. This design also provides important

functional benefits. The raised hood allows air to be

directed above the windshield wipers, helping to reduce

wind noise and minimize the upflow of water trapped

beneath the wiper blades.

The 2000 Sable's larger grille opening has a rectilinear

shape that includes vertical flat black grille bars, a

chrome surround and Mercury badge in the center.

New complex-reflector clear-lens headlamps are placed

higher and more outboard to give the vehicle a broader,

more substantial appearance. The low-beam lights have a

sharper cutoff pattern and are significantly brighter

than the lights on the previous-generation Sable.

Additionally, the improved lights have a 100 percent

longer life.

At the side, new front fenders and modified rear quarter

panels give 2000 Sable a stronger, more angular shape,

while new rocker panels feature integral front mud flaps

to help protect the vehicle's finish from stone chips.

The deck lid is three inches higher at the center and

features a small horizontal character groove. The opening

width is increased one inch, while the top edge of the

fascia is lowered to reduce liftover height by 1.5 inches

to make loading and unloading cargo easier. The deck lid

also features a "neutral position" assist system that

automatically raises the deck lid six to 10 inches from

the closed position when the latch is released. The

assist has been tuned to provide a smooth, even force

when raising or lowering the deck lid.

New larger taillamps feature integral backup lights. They

wrap around the side of the fenders and feature a

squared, definitive shape. The taillamps are positioned

higher and wider to accentuate the vehicle's solid rear

appearance.

Finally, a stylish chrome header above the license plate

bracket brightens the vehicle's rear appearance.

Once inside, there's a symbol of Sable luxury and

craftsmanship right before you &endash; a polished Mercury badge

at the center of the new four-spoke steering wheel. Other

interior enhancements include a two-tone instrument panel

that uses a darker color on top to help reduce glare, new

instrument cluster graphics and air-conditioning vent

registers with a chromed adjustment knob.

All in all, the 2000 Mercury Sable's tailored edges,

crisper lines and more taut surfaces give it a new

appearance designed to appeal to discriminating sedan

buyers.