MERKUR

MERKUR 

In the 70's. European branch of Ford sold tens of thousands of vehicles in the U.S.. As a rule, they were machine made ​​in Germany and traded their dealer network of Lincoln-Mercury ("Lincoln-Mercury"). In the 80's. Strategy work has not changed: the company has developed more specialized car, but gave them special names. This is how the brand Merkur, under which is actually hiding a European car Ford.
Deciding what to sell in the U.S., it was easy. In the early 80s. Ford relied on the model of Sierra ("Sierra"), but the problem was the question in the title. That's what Ford said Officer Walter Hayes (Walter Hayes): "The main thing was to not call it Ford, but to sell, along with other models of Ford. Size, he was practically identical with the Tempo (" Tempo "). Title Merkur, that corresponds to the German Mercury, came up with Bob Lutz, [then head of the European Ford - approx. editor]. He was proud of the fact that a car built in Germany for sale in the United States. "


Merkur Scorpio had a fuel injection engine with a working volume of 2933 cm3 150 hp, maximum torque of 233 Nm Maximum speed - 200 km / h, acceleration from a standstill to 96 km / h in 9.8 to
The first Merkur in 1984 became the model of "XR4Ti", significantly altered Sierra XR4i, received a completely new engine. Due to technical changes and to strengthen the body, in accordance with the laws of the United States produced an assembly independent company Karmann ("Kar-mann") from Osnabrück, produced while the other models of Ford and Volkswagen ("VW").
Immediately after his appearance Merkur XR4Ti proved that he is a faster than almost all other models with the emblems of Ford and Mercury. Sales were good until 1987 then they started to fall. Americans seem to bother the title, also reminded members of the family car Tempo / Topaz ("Tempo / Topaz"), but the attitudes they had not. Most people who buy these cars, would like to know the origin of the brand.
The second option was a representative of the Merkur Ford Granada / Scorpio ("Granada / Scorpio"), established in 1987 and on the device, and apparently not different from the European model. Machines for the U.S. market only gave out the emblem. There was still a mess, because Scorpio looked similar to the American Mercury Sable ("Seybl") and the Ford Taurus ("Torus"), although the latter were front-wheel drive, and Merkur - rear wheel drive. By 1989, it became clear that this project did not attract the American audience and there is no point in continuing it. At the end of that year, Merkur brand disappeared from the lists of sales.
Merkur XR4Ti ("Merkur XR4Ti")
In deciding whether to sell the upgraded model in the U.S. Department of the European Ford Sierra had stopped on the use of the engine, set up in accordance with the requirements in the U.S. for toxicity, and the new brand. So there was a Merkur XR4Ti - direct development of the European model "XR4i".
We used the same 3-door hatchback body with a slightly different part of the back. While the European "XR4i" had a 2.8-liter V6, Merkur XR4Ti was a turbocharged version of the American 2.3-liter engine Lima ("Lima"), which has already been used in the Ford Thunderbird ("Thunderbird") and Mustang ("Mustang"). With aftercooling he developed no less than 177 hp
The car was fast, spacious and well equipped. The package includes air conditioning, a device to maintain constant speed and a glass sunroof. According to European notions of his suspension was too soft. For the U.S. - it was a sports car with a very good performance: for the first year failed to implement 16,842 cars.
Since the beginning of 1985 full-vehicle sales worth 16.5 thousand dollars. For the price, it competes with cars BMW (BMW), SAAB (SAAB) and Audi ("Audi"). According to the magazine Road and Track ("Track End Road") "XR4Ti" - "the best sedan sold by Ford in the U.S. concern. This is one of the fastest machines, which can take turns as fast as some sports cars." On the other hand, the report included the following opinion: "Merkur XR4Ti needs improvement. A new name should not offend anyone."


2.3-liter engine Lima provided a top speed of 193 km / h

Characteristics (1984)
Engine: P 4, the upper cam
Bore and stroke: 96,04 x79, 4 mm
Displacement: 2301 cm3
Maximum power: 147 or 177 hp
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic
Chassis: on the host body
Suspension: independent MacPherson struts with coil springs front and rear
Brakes: disc
Body type: 5-seater three-door hatchback
Maximum speed: 193 km / h