The Merkur XR4Ti is a front-engine, RWD 3-door hatchback sports coupe, based on the European Ford Sierra, and imported to the US from 1985-89. XR4Ti enthusiasts enjoy its crisp handling and unique styling (a double spoiler makes it easy to spot, if you see one...) Its untimely demise was reputedly due to bad sales positioning (the car was sold by Lincoln-Mercury dealers) as much as its minor reliability problems.

Specifications

All XR4Ti's came with Ford's Brazilian-made fuel-injected, turbocharged 2.3L 4-cylinder, producing 177HP at 5000RPM and 200lb/ft of torque at 3000RPM in 5-speed form (a C3 automatic transmission was optional; the slushbox models only put out 145HP.) The car will reach 60MPH in 7.9 seconds, and tops out at 120MPH.

There are several groups of Merkur enthusiasts who modify XR4Ti's, upgrading the engine and drivetrain. With high-pressure turbocharging, output of the 2.3T engine (also found in the 84-86 Mustang SVO and mid-80's Thunderbird Super Coupes) can easily reach the 200-300HP range.

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