Merkur

Merkur (, Mercury) was a North American brand of automobiles marketed by the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford Motor Company for model years 1985–1989. Drawing its name from the German word for Mercury, Merkur, the brand targeted buyers of European executive cars, marketing two captive import models manufactured by Ford of Europe's German division.[1]

Following the 1989 model year, Lincoln-Mercury withdrew Merkur, making it one of the most short-lived automotive brands in modern American automotive history, lasting one model year longer than the Edsel.

Background

During the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States and Canada, buyer preferences in the luxury-vehicle segment began shifting from once traditional Cadillac, Lincoln and Chrysler models towards more European-produced and inspired vehicles. As a response, the Japanese automotive industry

Models

Merkur marketed two models: the three-door XR4Ti hatchback and the five-door Scorpio hatchback. North American regulations dictated numerous modifications, including 5-mph bumpers, FMVSS 108-compliant headlamps, and an instrument panel with non-metric gauges.

XR4Ti

Introduced for 1985 as the introductory Merkur vehicle, the Merkur XR4Ti was a performance-oriented hatchback. Sized nearly identically to the Ford Mustang hatchback, the XR4Ti was a slightly rebodied version of the Ford Sierra XR4i,[2] the mid-range sporting model of the Sierra. Its name highlighted its turbocharged engine (see below), eschewing anything that might conflict with General Motors' branding, e.g., the GMC Sierra and Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera nameplates.

Its engine was a modified version of the a 2.3L turbocharged inline-4 used by the Ford Mustang SVO and the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, with its intercooler deleted. The engine made 175 hp when paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and 145 hp with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

The body of the XR4Ti was shared with the Sierra XR4i, modified for American regulations and using the C-pillar windows of the 5-door Sierra and opening rear quarter windows behind the front doors. In line with the Sierra XR4i, the Merkur XR4Ti was distinguished by a large biplane rear spoiler, similar to that of the Ford Mustang SVO.

Adapting the Merkur XR4Ti for North American sale required final assembly by specialty manufacturer Karmann in Rheine, West Germany. Prior to the 1988 introduction of the Merkur Scorpio, the XR4Ti was the sole Merkur model. In early 1989, the XR4Ti was discontinued.

Scorpio

Introduced in mid-1987 as a 1988 model, the Merkur Scorpio targeted the executive sedan segment. Recalling the styling of the Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus, the Scorpio was an extended-wheelbase version of the Ford Sierra, making it the largest car sold by Ford of Europe.

As an entry-level luxury car, the Merkur Scorpio competed against sedans including the Acura Legend, Audi 100, Mercedes-Benz 190E, Saab 9000, Sterling 827, and Volvo 740. In sharp contrast to many of its competitors, the Scorpio was offered only as a 5-door hatchback (a configuration otherwise only offered by Saab and Sterling in North America). The model offered an optional Touring Package upgrade.

The Merkur Scorpio (unlike the XR4Ti) was assembled on the Ford Cologne assembly line in West Germany. The body was largely unchanged for North America, with the exception of 5-mph bumpers, and US-market bumpers; Merkurs are also distinguished by badging and full-width taillamps. Powertrain modifications were minimal, as the 2.9L V6 was an engine used in North America (by the Ranger and Bronco II). While a 5-speed manual transmission was standard, nearly every Scorpio sold was equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

One of the shortest-lived vehicles ever produced by Ford Motor Company, the Merkur Scorpio was discontinued at the end of the 1989 model year, marking the end of the Merkur brand.

producttype	Automobile
currentowner	Ford Motor Company
producedby	Ford Motor Company
country	U.S.
introduced	November 1983
discontinued	September 16, 1989
related	Lincoln Mercury
markets	North America

Background

Models

XR4Ti

Scorpio

Discontinuation

External links

References