The first-generation Cougar was The Lincoln-Mercury group's take on the wildly popular Mustang. Touted as having "European features", the Cougar was effectively an upscale Mustang. However, this wasn't your average rebadging as the Cougar received its own unique body design that included its signature hideaway headlights. In its first year, the Cougar accounted for almost half of all Mercury sales while snagging Car of the Year from Motor Trend.

Creates a considerably hotter spark that lets the flame expand more rapidly in the combustion chamber and a more complete and efficient burn of the air/fuel mixture