Used Ford Scorpio

The Ford Scorpio was an executive car produced by Ford in Cologne, Germany between 1985 and 1988. It replaced the Ford Granada in the larger than family car category. It was hailed as the European Car of the Year in 1986. Since its inception, the Ford Scorpio was intended as a luxury model, to compete with the likes of Mercedes and BMW in this category. Only proven engines were used under the hood, from the very first models’ Pinto engine to the last generation’s Cosworth 2.9i 24v with 200 bhp and a 140 mph top speed. Body control, steering, and maneuverability were also emphasized and improved over the years, making the Scorpio a pure joy to drive. And, of course, the interior of the car is extremely comfortable and very well-appointed. In the latest generation, the seats are similar to armchairs, offering sufficient back support and full adjustability. The backseats are also very comfortable, with lots of head and legroom. The equipment specification was also quite advanced for the time, with heated and electrically adjustable seats, electric sunroof, a trip computer, heated windscreen, cruise control, and all wheel drive. And although the center console lacked the more solid look of German rivals, it was still very durable, nicely styled, and easy to use. So in terms of performance, comfort, and amenities, the Ford Scorpio certainly delivered. However, the second generation Scorpio was let down by a badly-received exterior design. With its bulging headlights, wide grill, and unusual taillights arranged in a thin line just above the bumper, not everyone took to the radical redesign. The French even took to calling it a grenouille triste, or a “sad frog” because of how its front design looked. The Scorpio Mark II was even listed by author Richard Porter as #49 on his list of 50 Crap Cars, based on looks alone. Styling aside, however, the Ford Scorpio did have a solid set of specifications, from the engine to the transmission to the trim and other equipment and luxuries. This fact helped it perform and meet Ford’s expectations, despite the negative press about its looks. Its sales remained healthy, due to the high standards in equipment levels. In summary, the used Ford Scorpio, replacing the Granada as Ford’s executive flagship, offered a good amount of space, tough engineering, and sensible running costs and performance. However, despite the good performance under the hood, its radical (for the time) styling proved too unattractive to European buyers to ever afford it anything more than moderate success.