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Mercury Grand Marquis
The Mercury Grand Marquis is a full-size premium sedan built by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Canada. The Grand Marquis is essentially a slightly more luxurious version of the Ford Crown Victoria, with a slightly higher price tag. It comes in two main trim levels; the GS and the more luxurious LS, which further divide into different packages with various options: GS (base model), GS Convenience, LS Premium, LS Ultimate and the LSE.
The Grand Marquis shares the same platform as the Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car. All current Panther-based cars are powered by Ford's 4.6 L SOHC V8 engine, which produces anywhere from 190 to 250 hp (142 to 186 kW) depending on model year and configuration. The only exception was the Mercury Marauder, the Grand Marquis' high performance cousin which was powered by a DOHC version of the 4.6 L engine and produced over 300 hp (224 kW).
Power is carried to the rear end by a 4-speed electronically-controlled, wide-ratio automatic transmission. This transmission is known as the 4R70W, and is the successor to Ford's AOD and AODE transmissions of the early 1990s.
Mercury has always been marketed as a step-up from the Ford brand and has historically been more performance and luxury oriented. There are indications of that in the Grand Marquis. Properly equipped, the large sedan can be both a comfortable semi-luxury sedan while still offering adequate performance.
The Grand Marquis remains quite affordable, priced well below similarly well-equipped entry-level luxury sedans. Prices for the Grand Marquis range from $25,555 to $36,060.
Canadian Market
In Canada, after the Mercury brand was phased out in 1999, this car was sold as the Ford Grand Marquis but still remains badged as a Mercury, despite being named a Ford in all Canadian sales literature. Since the demise of the Mercury Marauder in 2004, the Grand Marquis is the last remaining Mercury vehicle sold in Canada. It replaces the civilian Crown Victoria, which is now sold only to commercial fleets and law enforcement (as a Police Interceptor) in Canada.
Middle East Market
The Grand Marquis and its twin, the Ford Crown Victoria are the two most popular sedans in the Middle East. This is especially true in countries like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Vehicles with Middle East specifications (also known as GCC spec) come with slightly different options and features. A true dual exhaust system comes standard, as well as aluminum wheels. LS wheels come standard on the GS trim and vehicles manufactured after 1998 come with '98+ Lincoln Town Car seats, available in both cloth and leather trim. The Handling and Performance Package (HPP) has been renamed to "Export Handling Package" (EHP) and differs slightly from the Handling and Performance Package. Dual exhaust isn't part of EHP (since they already come standard) and it comes with a 2.73 rear axle ratio over the 3.27 that HPP comes with. The Export Handling Package usually comes standard on the LS Series and shares the same 16" aluminum wheel with the Grand Marquis LSE. A long wheel base version is also available, called the Grand Marquis GSL.
Origin
The Mercury Marquis was introduced as a trim package on the full size 1967 Mercury. During the 70s and the early 80s the base full size Mercury was known as the "Marquis" and the top-of-the-line version as the "Grand Marquis" For the 1983 model year, and continuing until 1986, the Fox Body Mercury Zephyr was given a facelift and renamed the Mercury Marquis, while the full size Panther Body model was called the Grand Marquis. This nomenclature continued after the midsize Fox car was discontinued in favor of the front wheel drive Sable, to this day where the current full size Mercury is labled Grand Marquis.
History
The Mercury Grand Marquis has been a model in its own rights since 1983, the "Grand" label indicating a trim level previously. Since then, there have been two generations of the Grand Marquis, with a major redesign in 1992, and a major revamping of the front suspension and steering system in 2003. The Grand Marquis is based on the Ford Panther platform shared by the Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car, and has been the largest sedan on sale in the US priced under $40k.
1983
The Mercury Grand Marquis became more distinguished from its upscale Lincoln cousins and shared more design elements with the Ford Crown Victoria than with any Lincoln model. The Marquis, like the Ford LTD, split off into a midsize version based on the Ford Fox platform, while the Grand Marquis continued with the Panther platform.
1992
This was the first year for the 4.6 liter SOHC V8 engine. The Grand Marquis was completely redesigned, with its angular shapes being replaced by a new aerodynamic body. The new rounded design was then highly regarded for its light weight and low wind resistance characteristics which led to increased fuel efficiency. The interior was also redesigned with new door trim and seats. Four wheel disc brakes were made standard, along with speed-sensitive variable assist power steering and a 20 gallon fuel tank. Rear air suspension was optional, along with a keyless entry system.
1995
This was the first year for the 4R70W transmission along with an OBD-II compliant PCM. The vehicle received an exterior refreshing: grille, headlights, cornering lights, front and rear bumpers and rear fascia, along with a choice of new wheels. The interior was also redesigned: dashboard, seats, door trim panels, illuminated power window/power lock switches and power seat controls were moved to the door panel. 10 inch front seat tracks is standard. A 2.73 rear axle ratio was made standard, over last year's 3.08. The power antenna was integrated into the rear window on all models and an electronic temperature control system was available on the LS Series.
1996
A new four-spoke steering wheel replaced last year's "brick" steering wheel and a single key entry system was introduced. The throttle body linkage was redesigned along with the engine cover and an all-plastic intake manifold made standard.
1998
1998 was the first year of the Modern design. The vehicle received an exterior freshing including a new front and rear fascia, grille, hood, headlights, cornering lights, tail lights, bumpers, door mirrors and wheels.
There were also certain interior updates, such as a new two-spoke steering wheel, green LED backlighting, a black column shift lever and turn signal/wiper stalk arm (previously chrome) and a Gentex auto dim rear view mirror with an integrated compass. A single CD player was also made available, as well as an eight way power passenger seat with lumbar support. The analog gauges also got red pointers, over the orange ones in previous years.
A number of mechanical changes were also made. A fail-safe cooling system with a dual speed electric fan was put in place, along with a coil-on-plug ignition. Dual piston brake calipers were also added to the front, which were larger in size, hence 16 inch wheels were made standard. A 19 gallon fuel tank replaced the previous 20 gallon tank and a Watt's Linkage Suspension added to the rear. Fuel lines were also moved to the passenger side frame rail. A coded ignition key (known as Passive Anti-Theft System [PATS]) system was also added and a 72amp/hour battery replaced the previous 58. Minor changes included a redesigned engine cover and the power steering fluid reservoir being moved to the front of the engine.
2003
2003 was the first year for the second generation of the Panther Platform. The Grand Marquis received a facelift and new rear fascia, along with refreshed interior door panels (including door handles and power window/power lock control switches) and an optional overhead console (standard on the LS Series). However the real changes were under the skin. An all-new hydroformed frame was engineered, rack and pinion steering replaced the old recirculating ball system, the front and rear suspension, as well as brakes were redesigned and an engine knock sensor was made standard along with 5.7 liter (6 qt) oil pan (20% larger than '02). The wheels were also redesigned with a high positive offset, as well as the exhaust system. A quiet EBD brake booster with a mechanical panic assist system was also added. Other changes included an intake manifold with aluminum water crossover and an electronic returnless fuel system. Side airbags were also made available and a dual media (cassette/CD) player made standard. More minor changes included a redesigned engine cover with a chrome V8 logo, the oil fill was moved to the passenger valve cover and the power steering fluid reservoir moved to the radiator surround (previously on the front of the engine). A shoulder belt was also put into place for the rear middle passenger and a valet key was made standard.
2005
A number of changes were made for the 2005 model year. An Electronic Throttle Control system was put in place, moving the cruise control function to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Occupant weight sensors were also added, meaning the passenger airbag could be disabled. Other changes included two new front crash severity sensors, a new steering column and two-spoke steering wheel and the addition of a mast antenna on the right rear fender. Interior changes included new wood trim, chrome interior door release handles and an Audiophile 6 disc in-dash CD changer (optional on the LS Series). The steering wheel lock feature was also eliminated.
2006
For 2006, the front end was refreshed. This included a new grille and front fascia, in addition to new headlights and available fog lights. Interior changes included a new steering wheel, a new dash layout, and a new instrument cluster, which featured the addition of a tachometer and digital odometer/tripmeter. The mast antenna on the right rear fender was integrated back into the rear window and new wheel designs were made available. This is also the first year for the 4R75E transmission.
Future
Despite rumors to the contrary, Ford has announced that Mercury will continue to produce the Grand Marquis through at least 2010.
The company does plan on redesigning them sometime in the future, likely retiring the Panther platform altogether and moving them to the Ford D2C platform (used by the Ford Mustang). While Ford would likely replace the Crown Victoria name with something along the lines of Fairlane (or maybe even Galaxie, to go out of Ford's plans to use names that start with the letter "F"), the Grand Marquis name would most likely be shortened back to "Marquis" to go along with Mercury naming their cars with names that begin with the letter "M".
See also
- Mercury Marauder
- Ford Crown Victoria/Police Interceptor
- Lincoln Town Car
- Ford Panther platform
- Ford Motor Company
External links
- Mercury Grand Marquis official websites: U.S.A. | Canada
- Jonelle's Crown Vics, etc.
- Crown Vic Net Forums
- FAQ Farm's Mercury Grand Marquis FAQ: wiki question and answer forum
