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Mercury Grand Marquis sedan gets new styling and more action
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Mercury's venerable Grand Marquis sedan: It's big, carries up to six adults and a load of luggage, and it drives all of the torque from a powerful V8 engine to the rear wheels, like all cars once did.
Because of its size and the rear-wheel-drive format, plus a price chart cast below $25,000, Mercury's big sedan stands alone with no competition in the large-car class, save for its virtual twin, Ford's Crown Victoria.
And, since a definitive new generational edition emerged in 1992, Grand Marquis has found a fiercely loyal following which propelled the sedan to the top of all sales charts, particularly in warmer climes like southern Florida where there is a concentration of plus-50 folks whose ideal automobile combines affordable prices with plenty of room for people and a big trunk.
These fans were, in general, an older set, comfortable in their means and convinced in their ways that Detroit couldn't build new cars the way it did in the good old days.
By the models of 1997, though, critics complained that Grand Marquis with its lumbering performance and some floaty handling traits carried over from the 1980s had become an anachronism in this era of front-wheel-drive platforms and precision performance.
Some even wondered if Mercury would continue to build the Grand Marquis.
Product planners at Mercury no doubt noted these critics, but they also heard from the customer, who in one survey after another spoke in definitive voice which sounded loud and clear: We want Grand Marquis, they said, and we still want the big-car space with a big trunk and a powerful engine, but we also want it to drive and handle better than before -- and get rid of that floaty rear end.
Well, for 1998 editions of Grand Marquis, Mercury's designers obviously listened to customers and responded with a new design which exceeds all desires and expectations.
The new Grand Marquis, which debuted recently at the Miami International Auto Show in the car's prime market, somehow manages to straddle the line separating those has-been cars of yesterday and the slick things of tomorrow.
It does so by combining the classic concepts of the old version -- power to the rear axle, big dimensions and plush comforts for a reasonable price -- with modern mechanical systems and the latest in safety and comfort.
Then all has been encased in stunningly sculpted sheetmetal which presents smoothly rounded corners, wind-swept profiles and a rear section that vaguely resembles another classic sedan by Jaguar.
A sloped prow with bold chrome grille, the stepped and creased new hood, sharply canted windshield and flush-mount side windows which curve upward into the roofline, flat expanse of the broad back deck which conceals a huge trunk, plus curvy bodyside moldings accenting horizontal thrust: These are some of the elements that merge to shape a new, fresh styling statement for Grand Marquis.
It looks simple but elegant, contemporary but also quite traditional.
Grand Marquis still measures to full-size standards but actually increases room for passengers in the remake, which rides on a new platform and contains many of the components of Lincoln's revised Town Car.
Standard seating accommodates six people on front and rear benches, with improved space for passenger legs and heads and shoulders.
And it's unequivocally a large car, since that's the point, but it doesn't behave like an incredible hulk when maneuvering in traffic, thanks to a stiffer structure and new rear suspension elements which control the chassis and ease the ride.
The old Grand Marquis drove like a lumbering limo -- point it in a straight line and pray you will not find a sharp curve up ahead.
This new model, by contrast, virtually begs to be put through some demanding tests. It hugs the curves aggressively, hunkers over flats with firm stability and leaps to speed from even the slightest accelerator signal. Even a driver's-oriented fanatic like this tester can enjoy steering Grand Marquis, but so too will more sedate souls who prefer to glide along in insulated comfort.
For the frame, Mercury's designers included steel front rails, cross-bracing and reinforcements at the rear to improve lateral stiffness four-fold and set up a stable platform for mounting the new rear suspension system. With multiple rear links, that device reduces lateral sway in the vehicle as it maintains a secure stance when cornering, but it also decreases dive and squat tendencies when accelerating or braking -- and virtually erases traits of the former Grand Marquis to float and flounder.
A big car needs a big engine to propel all that mass, and Grand Marquis packs Ford's single-cam 4.6-liter V8.
In regular edition, engine output reaches 200 hp, a boost of ten points over last year's version. When combined with an optional handling package, the plant applies 15 more points, for a total of 215 hp.
Electronic controls on a 4-speed automatic transmission by Ford regulates the Grand Marquis engine. A top-gear lockout switch in the tip of a column-mounted shift lever permits driver to downshift with forefinger ease.
Pick the handling package to gain twin exhaust ports, performance tires and thicker suspensional stabilizer bars, which create a firmer ride quality and set up crisp cornering characteristics. Also, air-cushioned springs come with this package to automatically level the sedan's load and maintain a flat stance in motion.
Mercury divides the new Grand Marquis into two trim levels labeled GS and LS. Both share the same engine and transmission, and both carry with safety features like dual frontal airbag and optional anti-lock brake system.
About the only differences, in fact, have to do with extra luxury fittings for LS.
A freshened Grand Marquis passenger compartment installs as standard seating the two 3-person benches, with front seat split and combined with a fold-down armrest so it functions as two separate seats. In back, a 3-person bench has twin outboard sections and center fold-down armrest.
Standard gear on both models starts with air conditioning and includes power windows and door locks, tilt steering wheel, intermittent front wipers and rear window defogger, and a stereo sound package. The LS earns a power driver's seat and more conveniences, while packaged options include leather upholstery and keyless remote entry.
1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS SEDAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size sedan |
| Model Options: |
Full-size sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
114.7 inches |
| Overall Length: |
211.9 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 4.6-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS opt. |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
17/25 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 22,500 to $ 25,000 |
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