Editing Mercury Montego (section)

===Discontinuation===
[[File:08-Mercury-Sable-1.jpg|thumb|2008 Mercury Sable ]]
Following a poor critical reception, the Mercury Montego and Ford Five Hundred fell under sales projections from the 2005 to 2007 model years.  For the 2008 model year, the Montego and Five Hundred underwent a mid-cycle update, with pre-production prototypes unveiled at 2007 auto shows.  Along with evolutionary changes to the body, the powertrain underwent a series of upgrades, as a 263hp 3.5L V6 became the standard engine; both previous transmissions were replaced by a Ford-sourced 6-speed automatic. 

The exterior received new bodywork forward of the windshield (to better distinguish the two model lines), with a revised rear fascia (clear-lens taillamps; license plate relocated to rear bumper).  The interior saw minor trim revisions; the windshield wiper controls were moved from their previous stalk to the left-side column stalk.  

After his installation as Ford CEO, [[Alan Mulally]] ordered the model lines renamed before entering production, claiming higher brand value and recognition.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070207234651/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17003763/]  For 2008, the Montego was renamed the Sable, taking on the nameplate of the vehicle that it originally replaced.  {{clear}}