Leg and headroom appear spacious, and are at 1,084 mm (42.6 in) and 943 mm (38.0 in) respectively, while the use of light gray shades along large uncluttered surfaces makes the Messenger seem even roomier than it is, a treatment that is particularly noticeable across the dash and on the door panels, the latter of which incorporate cutouts mimicking the exterior engine vents just aft of the front wheel cutout - a nice touch. As is currently en vogue polished metal trim is tastefully applied, and thankfully not overdone. Actually the interior designers have done a wonderful job, making it as inviting on the inside as its clean, attractive exterior is to passersby.
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| The Messenger is a car that makes you sit up and take notice, but does Mercury have the cachet to attract traditional import buyers? (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
And what are your thoughts? Is the Messenger a car that would cause you to sit up and take notice, maybe even drag you down to your local Ford dealer and ring up the old platinum card if it were made available? Does the Mercury brand have the cachet necessary to pull buyers out of imports and into a new sports coupe?
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| Mercury hasn't announced any plans to build the Messenger. It's only a concept, a crystal ball of things to come. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
That's difficult to say. Chrysler, a brand many consider to be the domestic equivalent of Mercury as far as prestige goes, is attempting such a strategy with its new Crossfire coupe. While it's a superb vehicle, easily as good as any import - heck, 39 percent of it is a Mercedes-Benz SLK so it better be good - customers aren't exactly lining up, pushing and shoving to drive one home. Then again if Chrysler has the patience necessary to allow such a small volume car to trickle out of its dealerships, all the while benefiting the rest of the brand with the positive halo effect that comes from having a high quality sports car in the lineup, they'll most likely do well in the long run.
But Mercury hasn't announced any plans to build the Messenger. It's only a concept, a crystal ball of things to come. All I can say to this end is the brand could use an image builder. They need a car that puts them on Joe and Jane Public's radar screen, even if they're only buying a new Monterey minivan.