Fast forward a few years and we look at how the Marauder measures up to the Dodge Charger. And since we’re keeping score, that’s a second slower in both 0-60 and the quarter mile than the Impala SS. From 0-60, the Marauder ran the distance in 7.5 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 15.5 seconds hitting 91 mph. They’ve just gained two extra doors in the process. Yep, these 60s era nameplates are at each other’s throats once again. So how does it fare against its past and future competition? In their July 2002 edition, Car and Driver compared the Marauder to a foe from the mid-1990s: the Chevrolet Impala SS. In 2004, an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic overdrive with high-speed torque converter was used. This engine spits out 302 horsepower and 318 foot pounds of torque through a 3-speed automatic transmission. In order for this 4,200 pound sedan to rule the streets, Mercury packed a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 under the hood of this crafty prowler. Mercury also provided creature comforts such as power-adjustable pedals, remote keyless entry, and automatic temperature control. And get this…with the dual-media sound system, you can play those old Whitesnake and Motley Crue cassettes you have stashed somewhere in a closet as well as those Tim McGraw CDs you like so well. And what muscle car would be complete without a console mounted floor shifter? Tunes are provided by a four-speaker stereo powered by a 100-watt amp and subwoofer. Fire up the engine and the white-faced tachometer and console-mounted oil pressure and voltage gauges spring to life. Take hold of the leather-wrapped steering wheel and you have stereo, climate, and cruise controls at your fingertips. The driver is welcomed inside by bolstered 8-way power leather seats with contrasting French seam stitching. Yet, added luxurious amenities you would also expect in a modern-day performance sedan. Mercury decked out the interior of the Marauder in true muscle car form. For 2004, Mercury made the Marauder available in Dark Toreador Red, Silver Birch, and Black. Mercury decked out this street fighter so well that the only exterior option was a dealer installed rear decklid spoiler. Come to think of it, that’s something that a marauder is good at anyway. Something that rolls up quickly, takes you by surprise, and leaves you wondering what you’ve just witnessed. It isn’t until this car has passed you by that you realize what you have seen. Since Marauder badging is limited to the middle of the rear bumper, first sightings of this performance sedan will probably cause chaos in the minds of those trying to figure out what they are seeing. In contrast, dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips and 18-inch chrome wheels add a little bright work to this marauder as it roams the night streets looking for plunder. Body-colored grille, side moldings, and mirrors add subtle yet audacious styling to this performance sedan. A walk around reveals a car bathed in stealthy styling cues such as smoked taillights, turn signals, and back-up lights. In its inaugural year, the Marauder was available in Dark Blue Pearl, Silver Birch, and Black. Voila, the latest muscle car sedan to hit the streets was reborn. Yep, the scene was a little bleak…or was it? Like a ghost from the past, Mercury brought back its legendary Marauder nameplate and bestowed it on the Grand Marquis. Plus, performance options from Chrysler were limited to the Viper since the Charger was still a twinkle in its designer’s eyes. The Aussie GTO from down under was still a year away from arriving on our shores. General Motors had just given the Camaro and Firebird the ax after a legendary 35-year run. Let’s face it, 2003 was a dark period in muscle car history. There’s just enough wheelspin to publicize the Marauder’s mission statement without revealing its operator’s learning disorders.” John Phillips, Car and Driver, July 2002 The tail squats, the nose rises two inches, and both tires paint an identical two-foot stripe.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |