Ford finally answered our prayers in 2003 with the introduction of the Mercury Marauder. The monochromatic sedan was half Grand Marquis, half Crown Vic. The nose shared the same headlights and grill as the GM, but with fog lights, and the rear end had tail lights like the police spec Vic units, with a MARAUDER bumper. The car had a 302HP V8 mounted to a 4 speed automatic transmission with a floor shifter, 18" chrome aluminum wheels, blacked out trim, lower and beefier suspension, low restriction mufflers, 3" exhaust, 140mph speedometer, etc (full specs below). It was Ford's version of the ledgendary Chevy Impala SS! And a sharp car indeed! The car could be bought in black, silver, maroon, and blue.
But alas, the Marauder was made for only two years. The car never became the hit Ford expected. Will the Marauder ever become a classic? Will they hold their resale like the Impala SS did? Only time will tell...
2003 MERCURY MARAUDER TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
All-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8, four valves per cylinder
Bore/Stroke : 3.6 in. x 3.6 in.
Displacement : 281 cu. in. (4,606 cc.)
Compression Ratio : 10:1:1
Horsepower: 302 @ 5,750 rpm
Torque: 318 lb.-ft. @ 4,300 rpm
Recommended Fuel: Premium unleaded
Fuel Mileage :17/23 (city/highway estimate)
Coolant Capacity : 17.6 liters
Oil Capacity : 5 quarts
Fuel System : Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection (SEFI)
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission : 4-speed automatic with overdrive
Gear Ratios :
1st : 2.84:1
2nd : 1.55:1
3rd : 1.00:1
4th : 0.70:1
Reverse :2.30:1
Axle Ratio : 3.55:1 (limited slip)
Shift Points At Wide Open Throttle :
1st to 2nd Gear @ 6,000 rpm
2nd to 3rd Gear @ 6,200 rpm
3rd to 4th Gear speed limited @ 120 mph
Front Suspension : Independent: unequal-length control arms, coil springs, monotube shock absorbers, and stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension : Live axle: four-bar link with Watt's linkage; air springs, monotube shock absorbers, and stabilizer bar
Steering Type : Rack and pinion, speed sensitive; variable power assist
Turns Lock-to-Lock : 2.83
Turning Circle : 40 ft., curb-to-curb
Brakes : Power anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution
Front Brakes : 12.4 in. x 1.1 in. rotor; twin-piston caliper
Rear Brakes : 11.1 in. x .74 in. rotor; single-piston caliper
Wheels : 18 in. x 8 in. 5-spoke aluminum alloy
Front Tires : P235/50WR18 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A
Rear Tires : P245/55WR18 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase : 114.7 in.
Overall Length : 211.9 in.
Overall Width : 78.2 in.
Overall Height : 56.8 in.
Frontal Area : 26.33 sq. ft.
Curb Weight : 4,165 lbs.
Weight Distribution : 55% (front) / 45% (rear)
Fuel Capacity : 19 gallons
Trunk Capacity : 20.6 cu. ft.
Ground Clearance : 5.69 in. (sprung) / 5.54 in. (unsprung)
Drag Coefficient : .36
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
(Front/Rear)
Legroom : 42.5 in. / 38.4 in.
Shoulder Room : 60.1 in. / 60.3 in.
Hip Room : 58.0 in. / 58.7 in.
Headroom :39.4 in. / 38.1 in.
Passenger Volume : 109.9 cu. ft.
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Assembly Plant : St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Basic Warranty : 3 years/36,000 miles, bumper-to-bumper
Roadside Assist : 3 years, 36,000 miles
Air bags : Personal Safety Systems , front seat-mounted side air bags
