A new convertible concept debuting at this year's Chicago Auto Show points to future possibilities for Mercury and for the all-new 2003 Mercury Marauder four-door performance sedan that goes on sale this summer.
The Marauder Convertible builds on the popularity of the sedan, which is designed to deliver a 1960s muscle car experience wîth contemporary driving dynamics, comfort and safety. It is designed to be like no other vehicle:
•Its supercharged 335-horsepower V-8 delivers more horsepower than any other full size convertible priced less than $85,000.
•It is a five-passenger convertible. All other convertibles on the market today only seat two or four passengers.
•Rear seat room is generous. At approximately 38 inches, the convertible's rear seat legroom is the same as Marauder sedan's.
•While true to its American muscle car heritage, it is thoroughly modern – wîth low emissions, cutting-edge safety and driving dynamics that balance comfort wîth control.
'The Marauder and the Marauder Convertible concept say a lot about the next generation of Mercury vehicles, which we're defining now,' says Brian Kelley, president of Lincoln Mercury. 'Both Marauders have heritage, performance and charisma. You'll see these same qualities in future Mercurys.'
Over the next five years, eight new Mercury products are planned, including two all-new sedans, a new multi-purpose vehicle and specialty image-building niche products.
The 2003 Mercury Marauder sedan goes on sale this summer. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. At this time, the convertible is purely a concept, but public reaction will be closely monitored to gauge whether sufficient demand exists to justify a full development program.
HeritageThe Marauder Convertible brings together types of vehicles that have become Mercury signatures: premium cars wîth outstanding performance and comfort, and stylish convertibles.
The Marauder Convertible concept's lineage includes these notable vehicles:
•1939 Series 99A Convertible: Ford Motor Company created the Mercury brand to offer premium products between the Ford and Lincoln brands, and a convertible was offered in 1939, the first model year.
•1949 Mercury Series 9CM: James Dean drove a de-chromed Mercury six-passenger coupe in the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause.' Mercury coupes went on to become the car of choice for performance tuners and hot-rodders.
•1950 Mercury Series OMC Convertible: Mercury's first Indianapolis 500 pace car was driven by Benson Ford, Henry Ford's grandson.
•1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Convertible: Mercury's second Indianapolis 500 pace car
•1963 ½-1964 Mercury Marauder: The first Mercury Marauders were performance versions of Mercury's mainstream sedans, the Montclair and Monterey. They made their debut at the dawn of the muscle car era and were designed to capitalize on the success of the Bill Stroppe prepared Marauder stock cars, including the one that Parnelli Jones drove to victory in the 1963 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
•1966 Mercury Cyclone GT Convertible: Once again, Benson Ford drove a Mercury pace car at the Indianapolis 500. His Cyclone GT convertible was super-tuned to achieve 0-60 mph in 7 seconds.
•1967 Mercury Cougar: The first Cougar – Mercury's luxurious pony car – was named Motor Trend magazine's 'Car of the Year.'
•1968 Mercury Parklane Brougham 4-door: Actor Jack Lord drove a triple black Mercury on the hit television series 'Hawaii Five-O.'
•1969 and 1970 Mercury Marauder X-100: 1969 marked the return of the Marauder, which included the feature-packed top-of-the line Marauder X-100, which was powered by a 429 cubic-inch V-8 engine.
'Since the day we began work on the first Marauder concept, everyone on the team knew we were building a car for customers who were like ourselves – total gear heads who remember what it was like to drive cars that made you feel like you owned the road,' says Steve Babcock, Marauder project manager. 'I think the Marauder Convertible may be the ultimate car for Woodward Avenue or Mulholland Drive because it has the performance we remember, the comfort and roominess of a Mercury sedan, and nothing but open sky when the top is down.'
Performance
The Mercury team, like most enthusiasts, knows the engine is the heart and soul of a car. Even though the sedan's normally aspirated, all-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 will produce 300 horsepower and 310 lbs.-ft of torque, the team craved even more torque for the convertible to give it the performance feel of a 1960s 'big block' V-8 off the line. So, they chose the same supercharged 4.6-liter SOHC V-8 that appeared in the 1998 Marauder sedan concept.
This iron block engine wîth aluminum cylinder heads and two valves per cylinder produces 335 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 355 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The engine breathes through a high-flow filter and aluminum upper and lower intake manifolds. A belt-driven Eaton Gen 4 Supercharger- Model 90 produces 6 psi of boost. The Roots-type supercharger is mated to a dual-core air-to-water intercooler, which extracts heat from the compressed air charge to improve combustion efficiency. Premium unleaded fuel is fed to the engine through a dual-bore 57 mm throttle body and high-flow fuel injectors. The compression ratio is 9.85:1.
To minimize exhaust backpressure – and make a bold visual and auditory statement – the six-brick catalyst system uses 2-inch diameter high-flow stainless steel exhaust pipes through the hot end and 2.25-inch tailpipes out of the muffler wîth 3.5-inch stain less steel Megs tips. Únder acceleration, the exhaust note is aggressive, wîth the unmistakable sound of a large American V-8 engine, but overall sound levels are very subdued when cruising for a surprisingly tranquil cabin.
To handle the torque of the supercharged engine, Marauder uses a heavy-duty four-speed transmission wîth overdrive. For good off-the-line performance, the team went to their drag racing playbooks and added a reinforced 11¼-inch high-stallspeed torque converter wîth a heavy-duty 1-inch, one-way clutch.
The high stall speed allows engine revolutions to rise into the peak power band before torque is transmitted to the rear wheels. A 3.55:1 rear axle wîth an 8.8-inch ring gear and limited slip differential also enhances launch performance and acceleration.
Únder-hood detailing recalls the heritage of the 'Super Marauder' production and stock car engines:
•The black painted cam covers are adorned wîth badges that recall the original red, white and blue Super Marauder badges from 1963.
•The exhaust manifolds are finished in black.
Driving Dynamics
The chassis shared by both the Marauder Convertible concept and the production Marauder sedan is capable of delivering a combination of ride, handling, braking and safety performance unattainable in the heyday of the muscle car era.
The full perimeter frame has several significant enhancements compared wîth the frame used on full-size Mercury sedans before the 2003 model year:
•Strong but lightweight hydroformed steel is used for the front rails for good performance in full and offset frontal impacts.
•The critical number two crossmember – which serves as a mounting surface for the §teering rack, engine mounts and the suspension's lower control arms – is now a solid cast-aluminum piece. This strong, lightweight crossmember provides a precise mounting surface and better alignment tolerances than a steel crossmember.
•The steel crossmember that ties the frame together behind the A-pillar is a more robust design that improves the frame's resistance to torsion and bending forces. This new member is designed to help manage side impact crash forces by transferring energy across the frame structure into the opposite rail.
All told, the sedan frame's torsional rigidity has been increased by 24 percent, and its resistance to vertical bending has been improved by 20 percent. A frame that resists twisting and bending allows the suspension components to operate more efficiently. It also limits the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness into the body structure.
The independent front suspension uses a short and long-arm design wîth steel upper and aluminum lower control arms and coil-over-shock springs wîth Tokico monotube dampers. Monotube dampers were selected because they are more efficient and 'tunable' than conventional twin-tube shocks because the damping pistons have a larger effective area. Heat dissipation also is improved.
To reduce lateral suspension compliance for crisp turn-in wîth reduced body roll, the Marauder sedan and convertible use a 28mm solid front Gripper™ stabilizer bar system. This system provides enhanced on-center §teering response and better high-speed lane change stability.
Úpper and lower control arms and a lateral Watt's linkage locate the live-axle rear suspension. Load-leveling air springs and monotube dampers manage impacts. The rear air springs help maintain the car's ride height even when the trunk is fully loaded and are very effective at absorbing minor road imperfections.
The combination of air springs and monotube dampers also is effective at managing the unsprung mass of the solid axle, which keeps the rear of the vehicle firmly planted during cornering on rough roads or washboard surfaces. A 21mm solid rear stabilizer bar, which uses rubber bushings, further improves body roll and tracking.
The §teering system is rack-and-pinion wîth speed-sensitive variable power assist. Previous full-size Mercurys used a recirculating ball §teering system. Because a rack-and-pinion system has fewer links, operating friction and compliance in the system are substantially reduced, which improves §teering feel and precision. The new system also weighs 22.5 pounds less.
Other §teering changes include a new intermediate §teering shaft design called a swing link, which helps reduce operating friction compared wîth the old system. The §teering knuckle is now cast aluminum for an additional five-pound weight savings.
For the convertible's wheels and tires, the Marauder team selected strong but lightweight 18 x 8-inch, 10-spoke forged aluminum-alloy wheels shod wîth ultra-high-performance BFGoodrich g-Force T/A tires. The P245/55WR18 rear tires have a higher aspect ratio than the P235/50WR18 front tires to give the car a muscle car rake. The rear tires also have a slightly larger contact patch for maximum traction under acceleration.
These tires have an asymmetrical tread wîth sidewall inserts to enhance §teering response.
In addition, the steel belts are reinforced wîth spiral-wound nylon to provide high-speed durability while minimizing weight and optimizing ride quality.
The concept shares the Marauder sedan's 12-inch vented front and 11-inch rear brake rotors wîth twin-piston front and single-piston rear calipers.
Design
The Marauder Convertible concept's monochromatic body is finished in black gloss paint. Dark-tinted headlamps and taillamp bezels flow from the black exterior to continue the serious, but understated appearance. Únmistakable but subtle performance cues include the high intensity Cibié fog lamps integrated into the fascia, the three-inch chrome exhaust tips and the 'Marauder' name embossed on the rear bumper.
The Mercury Marauder sent the message that the V-8 rear-drive muscle car is back. The convertible concept shows customers the possibilities for fun Marauder can create wîth its top down,' said Steve Park, Marauder chief designer.
The car's lowered front suspension gives it an aggressive, muscle-car stance that is reinforced by the large 18-inch wheels and tires. The classic image of the Roman god Mercury is cast into each of the wheel caps to further communicate the car's personality and heritage.
Like the Marauder sedan, the convertible is true to classic Mercury and Marauder heritage wîth added luxury touches for comfort. Inside, dual eight-way-power reclining bucket seats are appointed in rich black leather wîth classic French seam stitching derived from vintage Marauders. The seats have extra padding for better thigh, lumbar, and shoulder support. A modern rendition Mercury god's head is debossed into the front seat backs.
For the convertible, the safety belts are seat-integrated for easier egress and ingress. Power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals are standard to help accommodate tall and short stature drivers.
On all Marauders, modern, technical-lòòking dot matrix gray trim accents the instrument panel.
A leather-wrapped floor shifter highlights the floor console area that flows into space for two-cup holders and a high storage bin for CDs and cell phones.
The white-faced gauges include a 7,000-rpm tachometer that redlines at 6,250 rpm. The 140-mph speedometer has a red-lit 'Marauder' graphic. Auto Meter® brand high-performance oil-pressure and voltmeter gauges are located just in front of the shifter.
The audio system is a 140-watt Alpine AM/FM/CD/cassette player (a 6-CD changer is optional on the sedan) wîth four 100-amp speakers and a rear subwoofer for excellent top-down sound quality. For convenience, the §teering wheel features secondary audio and climate controls.
The Marauder team refused to sacrifice passenger space when designing the convertible, so the interior package is the same as a Marauder sedan. (concept carz) The trunk is roomy and offers additional cargo-carrying convenience – golf clubs and athletic equipment can actually fit in the trunk, unlike; most modern convertibles. If produced for sale, the Marauder Convertible's top would be a fully lined power-folding unit that would store cleanly under a hard tonneau cover.
Safety
The Marauder Convertible concept and sedan include several advanced safety technologies, including four-wheel antilock disc brakes, side-impact air bags and the Personal Safety System.
The Personal Safety System is one of the most comprehensive driver and front seat passenger restraint systems available. It includes dual-stage front air bags that deploy based on crash severity; sensors to detect if front-seat occupants are wearing safety belts; seat weight sensors; driver's seat position sensor; safety-belt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors.
In addition, the BeltMinder™ system rings a chime to remind front seat occupants to buckle up. Standard child-safety seat tether anchors are located in the parcel tray behind all three rear-seating positions.
All Marauders also feature the Securilock™ passive anti-theft system, which prevents the vehicle from being started unless a key containing a uniquely encoded computer chip is inserted into the ignition.
Source - Mercury
The name 'Marauder' adorned Mercury vehicles for the first time in 1963, used to represent their two-door fastback hardtop. The name continued for a few years, ending in 1965, before being re-introduced in 1969 as a distinct model. The Marauder was a luxury car powered by a 390 cubic-inch V8 engine; the X-100 version had an even larger, 429 cubic-inch engine that produced an impressive 360 horsepower.
In 1969, around 15,000 examples were created. A year later, sales plummeted and Mercury felt the need to cease production of the Marauder.
In 2003 Mercury made the decision to re-introduce the name, serving as a high-performance option of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan. The car had a revised suspension in both the front and rear with monotube shock absorbers. Steering was by rack-and-pinon and power was from the 4.6-liter DOHC V8. The car had over 300 horsepower and nearly 320 foot-pounds of torque.
Originally, only black was available. As customers began making requests for other colors, silver, blue, and red were offered, though in limited colors. Blue was the most rare, with only 328 examples produced.
A convertible option on the Marauder was created as a concept, but was never entered into production. One of the concepts was sold by Ford with proceeds benefiting a children's charity.
The name persisted in 2004, with 7839 examples being produced in 2003 and 3213 in 2004.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007
The goal in creating the Marauder was to deliver a 1960's American muscle car experience, ‘combined with contemporary driving dynamics, comfort, safety and low emissions'. What was accomplished was an impressive blend of size, performance, comfort and serious good looks. A ‘hot' looking car, the Marauder is also ‘hot performing'.
Founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, Mercury is an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company to market entry-level-luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles. The name Mercury was derived from ‘messenger of the gods' of Roman Mythology, and the Mercury brand was known for performance. This was briefly revived in '03 with the Mercury Maraurder. The name Marauder was used for different automobiles made by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company. The first generation of the Marauder was debuted from 1963 until 1965. This early Marauder was a V8-engined large automobile that debuted as a 1963 ½ model as a two-door 'fastback' hardtop version of the full-size Mercury.
For 1964 the Marauder name was used to designate both two and four models of Mercury Montclair, Monterey and Park Lane utilizing a fastback roofline instead of the reverse-slant breezeway roof that had been introduced in 1963. This roofline was developed for both the Mercury Marauder and the Ford Galaxie for NASCAR competition. This may have helped with the many 1963-64 Ford Mercury victories.
The choices of engine and transmission choices for these cars were identical to the big Ford which included 390 and 427 cubic-inch Thunderbird V8s, along with a choice of 3-speed or 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmissions. Much like items found in the Ford Galaxie 500/XL, Marauders also featured bucket seats, central consoles and other trim items.
After 1965 the Marauder name was dropped. The engine designation of the Marauder did continue in 1966 and 1967 and could be found in other full-size Mercurys including the Mercury S-55. The second generation of the Marauder was debuted in 1969, and the Marauder became a distinct model. This second generation lasted for only a year and it competed in the personal luxury market. The base Marauder came with a 390 in³ engine while the Marauder X-100 usually came with a larger 360 hp 429 in³ engine. The more luxurious versions came with bucket seats with a floor console that housed a U-shaped automatic transmission shift handle, sporty Kelsey-Hayes stylized road wheels and finished with rear fender skirts.
The Marauder was unique and carried its own look, with distinctive non-functional louvered side air intakes in the quarter panels and a tunneled rear window. The Marauder shared its front end and interior components with the Marquis, but the back end was all Marauder and not shared with anyone. Unfortunately the market for sporty full-size vehicles was disappearing and production was limited to around 15,000 cars for 1969 and barely a third of that for 1970.
The third generation of the Marauder was introduced in 2003 until 2004. The name 'Marauder' was also used as the name of Mercury's 390, 410, and 428 in³ engines in the 1960s. The third generation had a wheelbase of 114.7 inches, a length of 212 inches, a width of 78.2 inches and a height of 56.8 inches. The Marauder was produced as a high-performance version of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan from 2003 until 2004. The Marauder of '03 and '04 targeted the 1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS though the Mercury division is most directly a competitor to Buick in being a contemporary full-size 'muscle sedan.'
Based on an updated version of the Ford Panther platform, the Mercury Marauder had a naturally aspirated 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 that produced 302 hp and 318 ft/lb foot of torque. This engine had a variety of parts; including heads, cams, block and rotating assembly in common with the 2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 Automatic and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviators SUV. Featuring a dual exhaust system with unique tailpipe tips, custom designed chassis and suspension modifications, like moving the rear shocks outboard of the frame-rails which later was made available for the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis.
In 2003 the Marauder was fitted with the 4R70W 4-speed automatic and received upgraded 4R75W 4-speed automatic for the following year. Borrowed from the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the limited slip differential with a 3.55 rear axle ratio along with the aluminum drive shaft.
The Marauder borrowed trim parts from its Mercury and Ford friends. The headlights and corner lights were borrowed from the Grand Marquis and have all non-reflector surfaces blacked out and its grille was painted body-color rather than chrome. The side trim and B-pillars were painted body-color like the Crown Victoria, and the trunk panel was also borrowed from here, and tail lights which are tinted to just within DOT standards. Unique to the vehicle was the Marauder's front and rear bumper cover and the front featured Cibié fog lamps. The car's name was sported and embossed on the rear bumper.
Mercury's classis 'god-head' or Mercury's silhouette emblem on its center caps were placed on the car's five spoke, eighteen inch wheels. The Marauder featured front bucket seats and a floor shifter with a center console, unlike the standard Grand Marquis. Unique and specific to the Marauder was the instrument cluster with the satin aluminum gauges and pressed electrical board. This, along with the tachometer is specific only to the Marauder. Borrowed from the Police Interceptor was the 140 mph speedometer head unit, but it came with a Marauder unique gauge face. The Mercury Marauder is the only Panther after 1997 that came with a specific pin on the PMC for a tachometer.
Unfortunately the 2003-2004 Marauder sales fell short of the corporate forecasts, and after a production of just 11,052 cars, the Marauder was discontinued at the end of 2004. A total of 7,839 models were sold in 2003 and 3,213 sold in 2004. The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport remained though, and it wore a monochrome appearance very similar to the Marauder, but powered by the lesser 239 hp 4.6 L 2-valve SOHC V8. The LX Sport also came with smaller 17' wheels, taller 3.27 rear axle ratio, softer suspension among a variety of other mechanicals and cosmetic details unique to the Marauder. In 2008 the LX Sport would also be discontinued following a very short production run of 2008 model year cars. Also this year the Ford Performance Group began officially recognizing the Mercury Marauder.
Source: Internet
Monday, November 5, 2012
2003 Mercury Marauder Convertible Concept
A new convertible concept debuting at this year's Chicago Auto Show points to future possibilities for Mercury and for the all-new 2003 Mercury Marauder four-door performance sedan that goes on sale this summer.
The Marauder Convertible builds on the popularity of the sedan, which is designed to deliver a 1960s muscle car experience wîth contemporary driving dynamics, comfort and safety. It is designed to be like no other vehicle:
•Its supercharged 335-horsepower V-8 delivers more horsepower than any other full size convertible priced less than $85,000.
•It is a five-passenger convertible. All other convertibles on the market today only seat two or four passengers.
•Rear seat room is generous. At approximately 38 inches, the convertible's rear seat legroom is the same as Marauder sedan's.
•While true to its American muscle car heritage, it is thoroughly modern – wîth low emissions, cutting-edge safety and driving dynamics that balance comfort wîth control.
'The Marauder and the Marauder Convertible concept say a lot about the next generation of Mercury vehicles, which we're defining now,' says Brian Kelley, president of Lincoln Mercury. 'Both Marauders have heritage, performance and charisma. You'll see these same qualities in future Mercurys.'
Over the next five years, eight new Mercury products are planned, including two all-new sedans, a new multi-purpose vehicle and specialty image-building niche products.
The 2003 Mercury Marauder sedan goes on sale this summer. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. At this time, the convertible is purely a concept, but public reaction will be closely monitored to gauge whether sufficient demand exists to justify a full development program.
HeritageThe Marauder Convertible brings together types of vehicles that have become Mercury signatures: premium cars wîth outstanding performance and comfort, and stylish convertibles.
The Marauder Convertible concept's lineage includes these notable vehicles:
•1939 Series 99A Convertible: Ford Motor Company created the Mercury brand to offer premium products between the Ford and Lincoln brands, and a convertible was offered in 1939, the first model year.
•1949 Mercury Series 9CM: James Dean drove a de-chromed Mercury six-passenger coupe in the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause.' Mercury coupes went on to become the car of choice for performance tuners and hot-rodders.
•1950 Mercury Series OMC Convertible: Mercury's first Indianapolis 500 pace car was driven by Benson Ford, Henry Ford's grandson.
•1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Convertible: Mercury's second Indianapolis 500 pace car
•1963 ½-1964 Mercury Marauder: The first Mercury Marauders were performance versions of Mercury's mainstream sedans, the Montclair and Monterey. They made their debut at the dawn of the muscle car era and were designed to capitalize on the success of the Bill Stroppe prepared Marauder stock cars, including the one that Parnelli Jones drove to victory in the 1963 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
•1966 Mercury Cyclone GT Convertible: Once again, Benson Ford drove a Mercury pace car at the Indianapolis 500. His Cyclone GT convertible was super-tuned to achieve 0-60 mph in 7 seconds.
•1967 Mercury Cougar: The first Cougar – Mercury's luxurious pony car – was named Motor Trend magazine's 'Car of the Year.'
•1968 Mercury Parklane Brougham 4-door: Actor Jack Lord drove a triple black Mercury on the hit television series 'Hawaii Five-O.'
•1969 and 1970 Mercury Marauder X-100: 1969 marked the return of the Marauder, which included the feature-packed top-of-the line Marauder X-100, which was powered by a 429 cubic-inch V-8 engine.
'Since the day we began work on the first Marauder concept, everyone on the team knew we were building a car for customers who were like ourselves – total gear heads who remember what it was like to drive cars that made you feel like you owned the road,' says Steve Babcock, Marauder project manager. 'I think the Marauder Convertible may be the ultimate car for Woodward Avenue or Mulholland Drive because it has the performance we remember, the comfort and roominess of a Mercury sedan, and nothing but open sky when the top is down.'
Performance
The Mercury team, like most enthusiasts, knows the engine is the heart and soul of a car. Even though the sedan's normally aspirated, all-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 will produce 300 horsepower and 310 lbs.-ft of torque, the team craved even more torque for the convertible to give it the performance feel of a 1960s 'big block' V-8 off the line. So, they chose the same supercharged 4.6-liter SOHC V-8 that appeared in the 1998 Marauder sedan concept.
This iron block engine wîth aluminum cylinder heads and two valves per cylinder produces 335 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 355 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The engine breathes through a high-flow filter and aluminum upper and lower intake manifolds. A belt-driven Eaton Gen 4 Supercharger- Model 90 produces 6 psi of boost. The Roots-type supercharger is mated to a dual-core air-to-water intercooler, which extracts heat from the compressed air charge to improve combustion efficiency. Premium unleaded fuel is fed to the engine through a dual-bore 57 mm throttle body and high-flow fuel injectors. The compression ratio is 9.85:1.
To minimize exhaust backpressure – and make a bold visual and auditory statement – the six-brick catalyst system uses 2-inch diameter high-flow stainless steel exhaust pipes through the hot end and 2.25-inch tailpipes out of the muffler wîth 3.5-inch stain less steel Megs tips. Únder acceleration, the exhaust note is aggressive, wîth the unmistakable sound of a large American V-8 engine, but overall sound levels are very subdued when cruising for a surprisingly tranquil cabin.
To handle the torque of the supercharged engine, Marauder uses a heavy-duty four-speed transmission wîth overdrive. For good off-the-line performance, the team went to their drag racing playbooks and added a reinforced 11¼-inch high-stallspeed torque converter wîth a heavy-duty 1-inch, one-way clutch.
The high stall speed allows engine revolutions to rise into the peak power band before torque is transmitted to the rear wheels. A 3.55:1 rear axle wîth an 8.8-inch ring gear and limited slip differential also enhances launch performance and acceleration.
Únder-hood detailing recalls the heritage of the 'Super Marauder' production and stock car engines:
•The black painted cam covers are adorned wîth badges that recall the original red, white and blue Super Marauder badges from 1963.
•The exhaust manifolds are finished in black.
Driving Dynamics
The chassis shared by both the Marauder Convertible concept and the production Marauder sedan is capable of delivering a combination of ride, handling, braking and safety performance unattainable in the heyday of the muscle car era.
The full perimeter frame has several significant enhancements compared wîth the frame used on full-size Mercury sedans before the 2003 model year:
•Strong but lightweight hydroformed steel is used for the front rails for good performance in full and offset frontal impacts.
•The critical number two crossmember – which serves as a mounting surface for the §teering rack, engine mounts and the suspension's lower control arms – is now a solid cast-aluminum piece. This strong, lightweight crossmember provides a precise mounting surface and better alignment tolerances than a steel crossmember.
•The steel crossmember that ties the frame together behind the A-pillar is a more robust design that improves the frame's resistance to torsion and bending forces. This new member is designed to help manage side impact crash forces by transferring energy across the frame structure into the opposite rail.
All told, the sedan frame's torsional rigidity has been increased by 24 percent, and its resistance to vertical bending has been improved by 20 percent. A frame that resists twisting and bending allows the suspension components to operate more efficiently. It also limits the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness into the body structure.
The independent front suspension uses a short and long-arm design wîth steel upper and aluminum lower control arms and coil-over-shock springs wîth Tokico monotube dampers. Monotube dampers were selected because they are more efficient and 'tunable' than conventional twin-tube shocks because the damping pistons have a larger effective area. Heat dissipation also is improved.
To reduce lateral suspension compliance for crisp turn-in wîth reduced body roll, the Marauder sedan and convertible use a 28mm solid front Gripper™ stabilizer bar system. This system provides enhanced on-center §teering response and better high-speed lane change stability.
Úpper and lower control arms and a lateral Watt's linkage locate the live-axle rear suspension. Load-leveling air springs and monotube dampers manage impacts. The rear air springs help maintain the car's ride height even when the trunk is fully loaded and are very effective at absorbing minor road imperfections.
The combination of air springs and monotube dampers also is effective at managing the unsprung mass of the solid axle, which keeps the rear of the vehicle firmly planted during cornering on rough roads or washboard surfaces. A 21mm solid rear stabilizer bar, which uses rubber bushings, further improves body roll and tracking.
The §teering system is rack-and-pinion wîth speed-sensitive variable power assist. Previous full-size Mercurys used a recirculating ball §teering system. Because a rack-and-pinion system has fewer links, operating friction and compliance in the system are substantially reduced, which improves §teering feel and precision. The new system also weighs 22.5 pounds less.
Other §teering changes include a new intermediate §teering shaft design called a swing link, which helps reduce operating friction compared wîth the old system. The §teering knuckle is now cast aluminum for an additional five-pound weight savings.
For the convertible's wheels and tires, the Marauder team selected strong but lightweight 18 x 8-inch, 10-spoke forged aluminum-alloy wheels shod wîth ultra-high-performance BFGoodrich g-Force T/A tires. The P245/55WR18 rear tires have a higher aspect ratio than the P235/50WR18 front tires to give the car a muscle car rake. The rear tires also have a slightly larger contact patch for maximum traction under acceleration.
These tires have an asymmetrical tread wîth sidewall inserts to enhance §teering response.
In addition, the steel belts are reinforced wîth spiral-wound nylon to provide high-speed durability while minimizing weight and optimizing ride quality.
The concept shares the Marauder sedan's 12-inch vented front and 11-inch rear brake rotors wîth twin-piston front and single-piston rear calipers.
Design
The Marauder Convertible concept's monochromatic body is finished in black gloss paint. Dark-tinted headlamps and taillamp bezels flow from the black exterior to continue the serious, but understated appearance. Únmistakable but subtle performance cues include the high intensity Cibié fog lamps integrated into the fascia, the three-inch chrome exhaust tips and the 'Marauder' name embossed on the rear bumper.
The Mercury Marauder sent the message that the V-8 rear-drive muscle car is back. The convertible concept shows customers the possibilities for fun Marauder can create wîth its top down,' said Steve Park, Marauder chief designer.
The car's lowered front suspension gives it an aggressive, muscle-car stance that is reinforced by the large 18-inch wheels and tires. The classic image of the Roman god Mercury is cast into each of the wheel caps to further communicate the car's personality and heritage.
Like the Marauder sedan, the convertible is true to classic Mercury and Marauder heritage wîth added luxury touches for comfort. Inside, dual eight-way-power reclining bucket seats are appointed in rich black leather wîth classic French seam stitching derived from vintage Marauders. The seats have extra padding for better thigh, lumbar, and shoulder support. A modern rendition Mercury god's head is debossed into the front seat backs.
For the convertible, the safety belts are seat-integrated for easier egress and ingress. Power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals are standard to help accommodate tall and short stature drivers.
On all Marauders, modern, technical-lòòking dot matrix gray trim accents the instrument panel.
A leather-wrapped floor shifter highlights the floor console area that flows into space for two-cup holders and a high storage bin for CDs and cell phones.
The white-faced gauges include a 7,000-rpm tachometer that redlines at 6,250 rpm. The 140-mph speedometer has a red-lit 'Marauder' graphic. Auto Meter® brand high-performance oil-pressure and voltmeter gauges are located just in front of the shifter.
The audio system is a 140-watt Alpine AM/FM/CD/cassette player (a 6-CD changer is optional on the sedan) wîth four 100-amp speakers and a rear subwoofer for excellent top-down sound quality. For convenience, the §teering wheel features secondary audio and climate controls.
The Marauder team refused to sacrifice passenger space when designing the convertible, so the interior package is the same as a Marauder sedan. (concept carz) The trunk is roomy and offers additional cargo-carrying convenience – golf clubs and athletic equipment can actually fit in the trunk, unlike; most modern convertibles. If produced for sale, the Marauder Convertible's top would be a fully lined power-folding unit that would store cleanly under a hard tonneau cover.
Safety
The Marauder Convertible concept and sedan include several advanced safety technologies, including four-wheel antilock disc brakes, side-impact air bags and the Personal Safety System.
The Personal Safety System is one of the most comprehensive driver and front seat passenger restraint systems available. It includes dual-stage front air bags that deploy based on crash severity; sensors to detect if front-seat occupants are wearing safety belts; seat weight sensors; driver's seat position sensor; safety-belt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors.
In addition, the BeltMinder™ system rings a chime to remind front seat occupants to buckle up. Standard child-safety seat tether anchors are located in the parcel tray behind all three rear-seating positions.
All Marauders also feature the Securilock™ passive anti-theft system, which prevents the vehicle from being started unless a key containing a uniquely encoded computer chip is inserted into the ignition.
Source - Mercury
The name 'Marauder' adorned Mercury vehicles for the first time in 1963, used to represent their two-door fastback hardtop. The name continued for a few years, ending in 1965, before being re-introduced in 1969 as a distinct model. The Marauder was a luxury car powered by a 390 cubic-inch V8 engine; the X-100 version had an even larger, 429 cubic-inch engine that produced an impressive 360 horsepower.
In 1969, around 15,000 examples were created. A year later, sales plummeted and Mercury felt the need to cease production of the Marauder.
In 2003 Mercury made the decision to re-introduce the name, serving as a high-performance option of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan. The car had a revised suspension in both the front and rear with monotube shock absorbers. Steering was by rack-and-pinon and power was from the 4.6-liter DOHC V8. The car had over 300 horsepower and nearly 320 foot-pounds of torque.
Originally, only black was available. As customers began making requests for other colors, silver, blue, and red were offered, though in limited colors. Blue was the most rare, with only 328 examples produced.
A convertible option on the Marauder was created as a concept, but was never entered into production. One of the concepts was sold by Ford with proceeds benefiting a children's charity.
The name persisted in 2004, with 7839 examples being produced in 2003 and 3213 in 2004.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007
The goal in creating the Marauder was to deliver a 1960's American muscle car experience, ‘combined with contemporary driving dynamics, comfort, safety and low emissions'. What was accomplished was an impressive blend of size, performance, comfort and serious good looks. A ‘hot' looking car, the Marauder is also ‘hot performing'.
Founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, Mercury is an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company to market entry-level-luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles. The name Mercury was derived from ‘messenger of the gods' of Roman Mythology, and the Mercury brand was known for performance. This was briefly revived in '03 with the Mercury Maraurder. The name Marauder was used for different automobiles made by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company. The first generation of the Marauder was debuted from 1963 until 1965. This early Marauder was a V8-engined large automobile that debuted as a 1963 ½ model as a two-door 'fastback' hardtop version of the full-size Mercury.
For 1964 the Marauder name was used to designate both two and four models of Mercury Montclair, Monterey and Park Lane utilizing a fastback roofline instead of the reverse-slant breezeway roof that had been introduced in 1963. This roofline was developed for both the Mercury Marauder and the Ford Galaxie for NASCAR competition. This may have helped with the many 1963-64 Ford Mercury victories.
The choices of engine and transmission choices for these cars were identical to the big Ford which included 390 and 427 cubic-inch Thunderbird V8s, along with a choice of 3-speed or 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmissions. Much like items found in the Ford Galaxie 500/XL, Marauders also featured bucket seats, central consoles and other trim items.
After 1965 the Marauder name was dropped. The engine designation of the Marauder did continue in 1966 and 1967 and could be found in other full-size Mercurys including the Mercury S-55. The second generation of the Marauder was debuted in 1969, and the Marauder became a distinct model. This second generation lasted for only a year and it competed in the personal luxury market. The base Marauder came with a 390 in³ engine while the Marauder X-100 usually came with a larger 360 hp 429 in³ engine. The more luxurious versions came with bucket seats with a floor console that housed a U-shaped automatic transmission shift handle, sporty Kelsey-Hayes stylized road wheels and finished with rear fender skirts.
The Marauder was unique and carried its own look, with distinctive non-functional louvered side air intakes in the quarter panels and a tunneled rear window. The Marauder shared its front end and interior components with the Marquis, but the back end was all Marauder and not shared with anyone. Unfortunately the market for sporty full-size vehicles was disappearing and production was limited to around 15,000 cars for 1969 and barely a third of that for 1970.
The third generation of the Marauder was introduced in 2003 until 2004. The name 'Marauder' was also used as the name of Mercury's 390, 410, and 428 in³ engines in the 1960s. The third generation had a wheelbase of 114.7 inches, a length of 212 inches, a width of 78.2 inches and a height of 56.8 inches. The Marauder was produced as a high-performance version of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan from 2003 until 2004. The Marauder of '03 and '04 targeted the 1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS though the Mercury division is most directly a competitor to Buick in being a contemporary full-size 'muscle sedan.'
Based on an updated version of the Ford Panther platform, the Mercury Marauder had a naturally aspirated 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 that produced 302 hp and 318 ft/lb foot of torque. This engine had a variety of parts; including heads, cams, block and rotating assembly in common with the 2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 Automatic and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviators SUV. Featuring a dual exhaust system with unique tailpipe tips, custom designed chassis and suspension modifications, like moving the rear shocks outboard of the frame-rails which later was made available for the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis.
In 2003 the Marauder was fitted with the 4R70W 4-speed automatic and received upgraded 4R75W 4-speed automatic for the following year. Borrowed from the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the limited slip differential with a 3.55 rear axle ratio along with the aluminum drive shaft.
The Marauder borrowed trim parts from its Mercury and Ford friends. The headlights and corner lights were borrowed from the Grand Marquis and have all non-reflector surfaces blacked out and its grille was painted body-color rather than chrome. The side trim and B-pillars were painted body-color like the Crown Victoria, and the trunk panel was also borrowed from here, and tail lights which are tinted to just within DOT standards. Unique to the vehicle was the Marauder's front and rear bumper cover and the front featured Cibié fog lamps. The car's name was sported and embossed on the rear bumper.
Mercury's classis 'god-head' or Mercury's silhouette emblem on its center caps were placed on the car's five spoke, eighteen inch wheels. The Marauder featured front bucket seats and a floor shifter with a center console, unlike the standard Grand Marquis. Unique and specific to the Marauder was the instrument cluster with the satin aluminum gauges and pressed electrical board. This, along with the tachometer is specific only to the Marauder. Borrowed from the Police Interceptor was the 140 mph speedometer head unit, but it came with a Marauder unique gauge face. The Mercury Marauder is the only Panther after 1997 that came with a specific pin on the PMC for a tachometer.
Unfortunately the 2003-2004 Marauder sales fell short of the corporate forecasts, and after a production of just 11,052 cars, the Marauder was discontinued at the end of 2004. A total of 7,839 models were sold in 2003 and 3,213 sold in 2004. The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport remained though, and it wore a monochrome appearance very similar to the Marauder, but powered by the lesser 239 hp 4.6 L 2-valve SOHC V8. The LX Sport also came with smaller 17' wheels, taller 3.27 rear axle ratio, softer suspension among a variety of other mechanicals and cosmetic details unique to the Marauder. In 2008 the LX Sport would also be discontinued following a very short production run of 2008 model year cars. Also this year the Ford Performance Group began officially recognizing the Mercury Marauder.
Source: Internet
