For 1985, the Cougar received a few minor visual tweaks, mainly the flat, smoked taillights and the obvious Mercedes-inspired grille. The interior was the big news: all new, with a more modern dashboard and thicker carpeting for better sound insulation. In order to allow for a U.S. government-approved 5 passenger rating, the standard full-length console was now gone, and in its place the front seats were 60/40 split with a "consolette" and padded armrest attached to the driver's seat (the console was standard on the XR7, however it was shorter than the previous console). A full electronic instrument cluster was also available. Better and more usable instrumentation in the base instrument cluster was a big improvement. Seat patterns were more durable and visually pleasing.
The XR7 carried over performance-wise from the 1984 model, with no major drivetrain upgrades. The other engine models (V6 and V8) carried over relatively intact from the year before.
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LEFT: The 1985 Cougar XR7 model finally received the same Marchal fog lamps that the car's cousin, the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, had enjoyed since 1983. This necessitated a new front bumper cover with unique XR7 tri-band striping. Also, body colored dual side mirrors were standard. |
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LEFT: The new XR7 interior brought in much-needed ergonomics with European flair. The photo at left is from an XR7 model with sport seats and full console with floor shifter. Also note the new 2-spoke sport steering wheel, standard on the XR7. The headrests are now softer; the previous "halo" headrests were gone. |
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LEFT: The all-new dash was asymmetrical, leaning slightly toward the driver, with a new center stack to accommodate much more modern controls. Side window demisters were standard. The center stack now had 4 DIN-sized spots instead of the previous 3. The base (GS) and LS models received woodgrain dash panels; the XR7 shared the Turbo Coupe's dark butcher-block panels. Note the A-frame steering wheel, now in dark charcoal and not color-keyed anymore. The only colors now available for the A-frame steering wheels were standard dark charcoal or, if the car had a tan interior, dark chocolate brown. This interior is shown in Regatta Blue.
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LEFT: The new base instrument cluster was much more comprehensive than the previous Cougar's dash. With provisions for a temperature gauge, and warning lamps for oil and amps, Cougar owners could now have a better idea of what was going on under the hood. This dash combined electronic, analog, and lamps all in one unit. Most owners found the digital speedometer/odometer to be very "futuristic" and enjoyed the additional functions that came along with it. |
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LEFT: The new full electronic instrument cluster featured a built-in trip computer that calculated fuel economy, and full oil, temp and amp gauges, along with a bar-graph style tachometer. |
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LEFT: The new Mercedes-style grille, shown here on an XR7. Compared to the previous grille, this one lends an air of sophistication with its butcher-block inserts. According to a published report, the 1985 Cougar's grille was made of die-cast zinc by New Jersey Zinc Company of Palmerton, PA and was the first grille to be made from the exotic metal in the U.S. in over a decade. It also weighed 4.75 pounds...and it shouldn't surprise anyone that Ford ordered an identical--but much lighter--ABS plastic grille shortly thereafter for later 1985 Cougars. |
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LEFT: The new flat taillights replaced the 3-tier versions and are much smoother looking. Smoked in appearance, they give a factory "black-out" look to the Cougar. |
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LEFT: Cougar's color palette was also expanded and refined in 1985. Among one of the most curious colors is Sage Green, a one-year only color (in both light and dark shades). Also popular were shades of dark and light brown, and light and dark blue. Metallics began to overtake solid colors as the most popular choices. |
Although sales dipped a bit in 1985, the Cougar still continued to be refined. The 1985 model was a big step over the 1983-84 Cats, in terms of quality and materials. At this point, Ford was considering a planned restyling the Cougar for 1986, before an all-new platform debuted in the late 1980's. However, as usually happens, the program ran a bit late. Besides, the Cougar was wildly popular, and there was no reason Ford could not milk one more year out of the car. That's exactly what happened in 1986.
| ENGINES |
GS - 120 hp CFI 3.8 (232 cid) V6; optional 130 hp CFI 5.0 (302 cid) V8
LS - 120 hp CFI 3.8 (232 cid) V6; optional 130 hp CFI 5.0 (302 cid) V8
XR7 - MPI OHC 2.3 (141 cid) I-4; 145 hp (automatic) / 155 hp (manual)
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| TRANSMISSIONS |
3-speed automatic (C5) - all V6 models
3-speed automatic (C3) - XR7 only
4-speed overdrive automatic (AOD) - all V8 models
5-speed manual (T-5) - XR7 only
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| BRAKES |
All - Front 10.0" disc, rear 9.0" drum
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
Wheelbase: 104.0"
Overall Length - 197.6"
Overall Width: 71.1"
Overall Height: 53.4"
Cargo Capacity - 14.6 cubic feet
Fuel Capacity - 21.0 gallons (GS & LS); 18.0 (XR7)
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| CURB WEIGHT |
GS, LS - 3084 lbs.
XR7 - 3100 lbs.
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| PRODUCTION |
109,414 (GS and LS combined) - 93.3 percent
7,860 (XR7) - 6.7 percent
117,274 TOTAL
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| HOW TO SPOT ONE |
The flat taillights; new interior; new-style grille; lack of third brake light in rear window.
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| RECALLS |
Cougar/XR7 4-140 2.3L SOHC Turbo General Recalls
1. 87M50 APR 87 Inspection and Replacement of Thick Film Ignition Modules
V6-232 3.8L Emissions Recalls
1. 89E77 AUG 89 Emissions Recall 89E77 Emission System Modifications
2. 88E73 APR 89 Recall 88E73 CAT Convertor and Y-Pipe Replacement
V6-232 3.8L General Recalls
1. M56 FEB 88 Heater and Engine Bypass Hose Replacement - Program M56
V8-302 5.0L Emissions Recalls
1. 90E94 MAY 91 Emissions Recall 90E94
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