Merkur XR4Ti

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Merkur XR4Ti

Manufacturer	Karmann
Parent company	Ford Motor Company
Production	1985-1989
Assembly	Osnabruck, Germany
Predecessor	Mercury LN7
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	2.3 L turbocharged Lima I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed T-9 manual 3-speed C3 automatic
Wheelbase	102.7 in (2609 mm)
Length	178.4 in (4531 mm)
Width	68 in (1727 mm)
Height	53.8 in (1367 mm)
Fuel capacity	15 US gal (57 L/12 imp gal)
Related	Ford Sierra

1985 Merkur XR4Ti

The Merkur XR4Ti was a short-lived United States-market version of the European Ford Sierra XR4i. It was sold in the US from 1985 to 1989, replacing the Mercury LN7, which was a rebadged Ford EXP. It was the first vehicle of Ford's Merkur range. Ford had hopes of importing its top European models under this brand, but the venture was ultimately unsuccessful.

1 History
2 Engines
3 Options
4 Performance
5 Motorsport
6 Owners
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History

The cars were assembled and built entirely at and by Karmann Coachwerks in Rheine, Germany.

The XR4Ti was distinguished mechanically by its turbocharged Ford Lima 2.3 L 4-cylinder SOHC engine and independent rear suspension, and stylistically by its large bi-plane spoiler (a design theme shared by Ford's SVO Mustang). It came with either the C3 3-speed automatic transmission or the Ford Type 9, 5-speed manual transmission. Many felt it resembled the Ford Escort RS at the time, although the two were built on different platforms. Mechanically, it differed from the European model, which had a 2.9l Ford Cologne V6.

The XR4Ti was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1985.

It has been suggested that Ford had planned to import South American-made Sierras to supplement its range before the cancellation of the Merkur brand in 1989, but this was not realized, nor the proposed plan actually confirmed.^{[citation needed]}

The XR4Ti sold for approx. US$18,750.00 and the Scorpio for just a little over US$21,250.00

[edit] Engines

The XR4Ti came with one engine, the 2.3 liter turbocharged, in-line, fuel injected 'Lima' four cylinder using an EEC-IV computer. The 4-cylinder engine was generally rated at 145 hp (108 kW) when mated with an automatic transmission (8 to 10 lbf/in² [55 to 70 kPa] boost), and 175 hp (130 kW) when matched with the 5-speed manual transmission (12 to 14 lb (6 kg). boost). This engine weighs a surprising 450 lb (204 kg). in full (turbo) trim. This is basically the same motor-setup as the SVO Mustang and the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe of the time. The SVO Mustang differed by having an intercooler.

The Scorpio came with a 2.9 liter six cylinder (similar to the Ford Bronco and Ranger)...

60-degree bank angle - V6
Multi-port electronic injection
144 hp (107 kW) @ 5500 rpm
162 lb·ft (220 N·m). of torque @ 3000 rpm
Compression ratio of 9.0:1
Engine management via the Ford EEC-IV onboard computer
Fuel required is minimum 87 octane gasoline

[edit] Options

The XR4Ti options included heated seats, leather seats, power windows and mirrors, power door locks and a moonroof (retractable, tinted glass). Some were sold with crank windows and a solid roof but most came with everything but the leather seats. The Scorpio was optioned with very little (heated seats, 5-speed transmission). Most of the changes/upgrades from the 1988 year were simply standard features on the 1989.

[edit] Performance

The top speed of the Scorpio was 118 mph (190 km/h) and the XR4Ti 129 mph (208 km/h).

Tests for the XR4Ti reported 0-60 mph times from 7 seconds flat when pushing redline and as high 7.9 seconds and 1/4 mile times at around 15.7 seconds.

[edit] Motorsport

A former Trans-Am Merkur XR4Ti which won the GTO class at the 1988 24 Hours of Daytona. The large double rear-wing is evident.

Despite the XR4Ti never being sold outside the United States, in 1985, Andy Rouse used one to compete in the British Saloon Car Championship. He took the overall title for that year and the class title for the following year with 14 race victories altogether.^[1] Eggenberger Motorsport was among the few to use an XR4Ti to compete in the ETCC and the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) with positive results. Ford would use the car's technical feedback from the teams to develop the car that superseded it in 1987, the Sierra Cosworth, shortly superseded by the RS500.

Between 1986 and 1987, Wally Dallenbach, Jr. and Scott Pruett used theirs, although of a tubeframe construction like that of a NASCAR racer, to take the Trans-Am Series title.

[edit] Owners

Radio personality Jim Rome owned a XR4Ti and discusses it frequently on his show. The behind-the-scenes personnel on his show are referred to as "The XR4Ti Crew." On October 19, 2006, actor Scott Bakula called the show and admitted he too owned a Merkur XR4Ti Scorpio.