Car Lust--Merkur XR4Ti
If nothing else, this blog serves as a months-long expose on how horribly out of step my automotive tastes are. There are a lot of popular cars that don't particularly appeal to me, and there are awful cars that have worked their way under my skin. That doesn't make me special or elite--just strange.
I can't think of a better example of that disparity than my affection for the Merkur XR4Ti. A combination of a weird, unpronounceable name, poor marketing, curiously bulbous looks, and a strange biplane rear wing made the Merkur the automotive equivalent of the Frankenstein monster--a bizarre, deformed creature to be approached with great caution and, preferably, torches and pitchforks. In this case, the townsfolk slayed the monster; Merkur only lasted in the U.S. market for four years.
But, despite all that, I'm a sucker for the XR4Ti. Turbocharging and bulbous bodywork are my ambrosia, and the XR4Ti offers a pretty compelling mix. The turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, borrowed from the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and the nearly forgotten Ford Mustang SVO, was a pretty potent mill for the mid-1980s and pushed the Merkur from 0-60 at around 7 seconds flat. I like bulbous hatchbacks, and the Merkur doesn't disappoint on that front--it has a hatchback, and its profile is pleasantly chubby. The inverted bathtub styling that turned off American consumers looks interesting and aggressive to me, with a uniquely 1980s European flair.
Interestingly, despite the Merkur's abject failure in America, its European cousin, the Sierra Cosworth, was a hero car. It was comfortable, sexy, fast, and with a rich competition pedigree that bolstered Ford's European performance heritage for years. The European Sierra is pictured in white to the right.
A few years ago, I nearly bought a Merkur XR4Ti. It was listed for $1,200, and the owner said it hadn't been driven, registered, or inspected for a year or two. The engine sounded as if it the combustion chambers were full of gravel, and the exhaust was festively streaked with white smoke--legacy, no doubt, of a variety of blown seals or gaskets.
But even in that horrific shape, I very nearly fell under the Merkur's spell. It was very quick--the turbo spooled up rapidly, and the car leapt forward with a surprising eagerness. Even on completely knackered shocks, it still handled well.
I wound up purchasing my Chevy Malibu Wagon instead, but if I had more money lying around for maintenance, I might have opted for the Merkur. I have no doubts that if I had done so, I would probably thoroughly hate Merkurs today.
--Chris H.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on May 01, 2008 at 10:34 AM
The XR4Ti was an Americanized version of the Sierra. The "Merkur" nameplate was created for European Fords which were to be sold at Mercury dealers--had the thing caught on, there would have been other Euro vehicles given the "Merkur" treatment.
IIRC, the XR4Ti got good reviews from the car magazines, and its test statistics were pretty respectable for the day. I always thought it looked like the Escort and Lynx should have.
(You have to wonder at the wisdom of selling a turbocharged hot hatch through Lincoln-Mercury dealers. In those days, Lincoln-Mercury dealers mainly sold chrome-filigreed, vinyl-roofed Yank tanks to the AARP demographic. Not that that's changed much.)
Steaming Pile on May 01, 2008 at 10:37 AM
What was with the two-piece rear side windows on the US car. Was there another roll bar or something that was required by the DOT that was not required in Europe? The European car looks so much cleaner.
David Drucker on May 01, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I wasn't a big fan of the XR4Ti, which seemed too goofy by half. "If one spoiler is good, two are twice as good! And we'll throw in some extra side windows too. Yeah, that's the ticket!"
My Merkur of choice, if there must be such a thing, is the Scorpio, which really piqued my interest at the time. It was sleek, moderately fast, and unobtrusive, which are all good things in a mid-sized sedan. And the interior, with its improbably roomy back seat, was just wonderful. Mechanically, though... I knew a couple of guys who leased Scorpios. They were *real* glad to be able to walk away when the warranty was up.
Rob the SVX guy on May 01, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I second the scorpio. I didn't know they existed until I came across one in a junkyard. The interior was fantastic, and the bolsters in the seat adjusted with an air pump turkey baster thing right under the seat. You squeezed it to pump up the seats for comfort. Awesome! The build quality was also really nice. If I ever came across a nice one, I'd consider buying it. It was a neat car. :)
Mochi Mochi on May 01, 2008 at 08:22 PM
When these cars showed up on our shores, I was so happy that we were getting some interesting European hardware I honestly did not care what they looked like. They're a little funky, but pretty nice in many ways. I remember a lot of praise for them from the press.
Jeff Wilson on May 02, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I agree, the XR4Ti is a great car that had a horrific marketing and distribution plan. I bought a new XR4Ti in September 1986 after driving a rental. Although don't get the car out much anymore (31,571 miles), I still enjoy driving it.
Joe Messenger on May 02, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I am one with an affectionate love for Merkurs, namely the XR4Ti. I've driven one daily for over a year now and have owned them for nearly three. If you are mechanically inclined and a true enthusiast, trust me, you'll find a way to keep it moving. I've owned for, and have sold off three of them to friends so they drive them around and keep one or more from becoming parts cars lol. Oddball looking cars have always been my thing, which is probably why my other driver is a Saab 900 Turbo.
Long live the Merkur!
Chris Hafner on May 02, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Joe Messenger: "Oddball looking cars have always been my thing, which is probably why my other driver is a Saab 900 Turbo."
A little bit of foreshadowing here, but Joe, I'm right with you.
Chris Hafner on May 02, 2008 at 03:12 PM
David Drucker: "My Merkur of choice, if there must be such a thing, is the Scorpio, which really piqued my interest at the time."
Rob the SVX Guy: "I second the scorpio."
You know, I thought about the Scorpio when I was writing this. The Scorpio really ought to be right down my alley, but for some reason it just never interested me much.
Milehighxr on May 02, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Merkurs rule, and are more addictive than crack. I have 4, 2 XRs, and 2 Scorpios. Wouldn't trade them for the world.
onemore on May 02, 2008 at 08:56 PM
in very few words,i think the XR4TI (specially its big cousing the Sierra RS Cosworth) is the true definition of a "BAD ASS". How can a car look so oddly and be so dominant?...even 20yrs later. A true "Champ".
you can take an XR4TI anywhere, to ANY event, there will be people who wont like it, some others has never heard bout it, others just wont know what it is but garanteed that the very few that DO know the car, respects it! ANY true car fan DOES know what a MERkur XR4TI is or knows the Sierra RS Cosworth pedrigree. It's just world car history and that cant be argued. Ford of Europe had the cars of today 20yrs ago. Respect.
Rob the SVX guy on May 04, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Onemore, I feel the same about my Subaru. :)
ash teasdale on August 17, 2008 at 05:08 AM
the XR4TI was based on the euro Ford Sierra XR4i,not the Cosworth.Hence why the white car pictured has different side windows and trim.
The Sierra came in many trim levels and body styles 5-door hatch,3/5 estate,4-door saloon,2-door pickup,basic 3-door hatch and then the sporty XR4 body,then when the cossie came out they used the dull basic 3-door body as a base.
ash teasdale on August 17, 2008 at 05:08 AM
the XR4TI was based on the euro Ford Sierra XR4i,not the Cosworth.Hence why the white car pictured has different side windows and trim.
The Sierra came in many trim levels and body styles 5-door hatch,3/5 estate,4-door saloon,2-door pickup,basic 3-door hatch and then the sporty XR4 body,then when the cossie came out they used the dull basic 3-door body as a base.
ash teasdale on August 17, 2008 at 05:09 AM
the XR4TI was based on the euro Ford Sierra XR4i,not the Cosworth.Hence why the white car pictured has different side windows and trim.
The Sierra came in many trim levels and body styles 5-door hatch,3/5 estate,4-door saloon,2-door pickup,basic 3-door hatch and then the sporty XR4 body,then when the cossie came out they used the dull basic 3-door body as a base.
ash teasdale on August 17, 2008 at 05:09 AM
the XR4TI was based on the euro Ford Sierra XR4i,not the Cosworth.Hence why the white car pictured has different side windows and trim.
The Sierra came in many trim levels and body styles 5-door hatch,3/5 estate,4-door saloon,2-door pickup,basic 3-door hatch and then the sporty XR4 body,then when the cossie came out they used the dull basic 3-door body as a base.
stet on September 02, 2008 at 01:10 PM
i love my merkur xr4ti, my 5th in eleven years. i don't feel right with out one. anytime i did't have one, i'd find myself always looking for one to buy. i like it better than my rx8.
AaronXR on September 04, 2008 at 01:28 AM
I own an 87 XR, best $275 I've ever spent. This car stomps and shocks most. I know my sister was bummed out when my XR hung right with her Audi S4 B5.
It is ugly and I love that about the car as well. Lacked bigger breaks but there are enough parts out there that these cars are a great tuner platform. As said above, if you are able to wrench on it and have the skills to do so you are miles ahead of the game if you choose an XR.
AaronXR on September 04, 2008 at 01:29 AM
I own an 87 XR, best $275 I've ever spent. This car stomps and shocks most. I know my sister was bummed out when my XR hung right with her Audi S4 B5.
It is ugly and I love that about the car as well. Lacked bigger breaks but there are enough parts out there that these cars are a great tuner platform. As said above, if you are able to wrench on it and have the skills to do so you are miles ahead of the game if you choose an XR.
Stevie the K on September 10, 2008 at 07:12 PM
I owned an 86 XR4Ti for seven years. When it was good, it was very very good. It just wasn't good very often. Lots of brake rotor issues, electrical problems, and the rear end would get slippy in rainy conditions, despite the two wings!
Very comfortable on the inside, lots of fun to drive, and very practical as well with the hatch and the fold down rear seats.
All I have left of it is a cassette tape of Jackie Stewart, saying "ach I must congratulate ya on yer choice of cars!" (you'll have to imagine the high pitched Scottish voice).
Nick Boucher on November 09, 2008 at 07:45 PM
south lake tahoe has a mechanic shop with 5 mint XR4TI's just sitting there. they never move. some old guy owns them. i notice him every day, starting each one up and letting them run for about a half hour. i asked if he would sell and he said no. im going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
Jason Carpp on December 01, 2008 at 07:25 AM
I love the styling of the XR4TI. I would love to have driven a nice example. What I don't like is the choice of name. Where the hell did they come up with a name like Merkur? I would've rather told my friends that I drive a Ford XR4TI or a Mercury XR4TI. But a Merkur XR4TI? Huh?! What the hell is that?!
T_Cobra on December 19, 2008 at 11:12 AM
The "Merkur" name is German for "Mercury". The proper pronounciation sounds like "Mare-Cure".
chris hughes on April 02, 2009 at 01:41 PM
MY NEIGHBOR HAS THREE XR4TI'S just sittin out back two are red one with a moonroof and the third is a nice blue half under a tarp they havent moved in two and a half years ive never even seen him touch or look at them
draco7734 on April 02, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I just bought a Merkur xr4ti it is my first car but i drove it and fell in love with it. I know that it will be a great car once i get it fixed. merkurs kick ass