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| Mercury has been gaining a reputation for offering more style with two-tone interiors. At first, I explored the idea of combining dark and light components to achieve 72 unique interiors; one for each model, each trim-level, each paint color... I didn't go that far - simply because it doesn't seem necessary or even ideal from a styling standpoint. However this proposal does take it to the next level - 15 tailored interiors (plus dashtop, carpet, and trim variations). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rather than having black-stone-camel, where just the stone leather is two-tone, I've made all the fabrics two-tone (from subtle to dramatic) adding 4 variations of a darker (more practical) sand-beige with either an off-black or cream woven-in pattern. For the leather interiors, in addition to more two-tones and black, there's also 'Adobe', a ruddy natural brown.
Of course not all upholstery colors are equally good with every paint color, and the dealers wouldn't have room for so many combinations either. I attempted to offer just the best combos - and to limit most lower priced models to 1 or 2 choices. Another 'parts reduction' is using only Carbon (off-black) or Camel interior panels. Even if Ford and Lincoln continue to use a third panel color (due to volume or luxury-requirements respectively), Mercury's tailored interiors will mix-n-match better with just the 2.
The interior themes also reflect differing expectations for each model - some more sporty, some more serene - the hybrids' interiors avoid solid black to ease a/c power drain. Likewise, paint colors more popular with particular customer profiles get more interior choices - black has more interior choices in the performance & top-trim levels than in the hybrid or entry-level models, and silver generally gets an extra interior choice. The exteriors are also limited to the best-selling colors for the the base 'e'ssence range. The turbo'ed XR offers only the 6 most sporty colors (no beige paint here). Premier gets all the colors and even a special badge, 'Ultimate', when all option-pkgs are purchased... to have every option is the ultimate, and every 'Ultimate' = fully loaded. Although this does not add to inventory problems, since the options are available anyway, it does add to prestige. (It's too good of a nameplate not to use it across the Mercury lineup!) Currently the black-stone-camel and 10 paint colors equate to 26 int/ext color combinations, TIMES 2 trim ranges, and MULTIPLIED AGAIN by 3 drivetrains. Not counting factory options, that's 156 versions and more drivetrains will soon be introduced. The tailored interiors reduce that number yet provide up to 11 paint colors (one exclusively for the hybrids), 4+ trims, and 6 drivetrains. Further inventory overload can be prevented if some electronic options like HID's or Nav can be dealer installed. If the lower grade stereo and climate controls/readouts are made to occupy the same space as the optional systems plus Nav, snap'n'lock installation becomes possible - with just one console design. A final simplification-savings may be to use the same upholstery material across the entire Mercury range. Why have minimally distinct fabrics for each model? Shouldn't the Milan, Montego, GM, etc. all be dressed equally well? With that in mind, the pattern in the proposal's fabric is composed of little stylised M's, actually just 3 slashes of contrasting color ///. This could also be the basis of a renewed Mercury logo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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, and now, by using mix'n'match interior panels 
