The Granada Scorpio History

The drag coefficient ranged between 0.32 and 0.34 Cd which although not as good as the Audi 100 still lead to a reduction in drag of between 27 and 31 percent compared to the old 0.44 Cd model, thanks to its smaller frontal area. Attention to detail to achieve these figures included flush doors, bonded well faired in fixed glass, vestigal wheel fairing on each side of the wheel arches, minimum air intake areas, gutters replaced by drip rails hidden with the upward extension of the doors, masked wiper blades, good rounding of the cabin corners and a small spoiler built into the profile of the tailgate. The wander in side winds that plagued pre 85 Sierras was fixed by a similar solution of ears around the rear windows, but were made to appear less of an after thought by making the B and C posts all black as well. 

Although similar in design to the Sierra very little is common between the two apart from the drive units and a small area of the floorpan under the seats. Sitting inside a Granada it becomes obvious that there is a lot more interior space as well. Despite being shorter in overall size interior space went up when compared to the old Granada and at its launch Ford claimed it to have more interior legroom at the front and back than any other car in its class. 

This certainly borne out by the following figures comparing it to its rivals: 

	Max Front Legroom	Min Rear Legroom
Granada Scorpio	40"	45"
Saab 9000	41.3"	28"
BMW 5 Series	42"	25"
Mercedes E Class	44"	22"
Vauxhall Carlton	38"	44"

Source Motor 29 May 1985, Autocar & Motor 31 October 1990, Autocar & Motor 21 August 1991 

Other notable points for the Mark 3 Granada was standard fitment of an advanced anti lock brake system which took signals from four sensors. A rear wiper which came on automatically when reverse was selected and the windscreen wipers are on. 

Also an aircraft style heated front windscreen with elements embeded in the screen to give near instant clearing could be specified. 

Four engine options were initially available: 

Capacity  (Litres)	Fuel  System	Power  bhp/kW DIN	Torque  lb ft/Nm DIN	Top  Speed  Man/Auto	Acceleration  0-60  Man/Auto	MPG  Urban	MPG  56 Mph	MPG  75 Mph
1.8 4 Cyl	Carb	90 / 66  @ 5400 rpm	103 / 140  @ 3500 rpm	111	12.2	29.1	44.1	36.7
2.0 4 Cyl	Carb	105 / 77  @ 5200 rpm	116 / 157  @ 4000 rpm	117 / 114	10.7 / 13.3	26.2 / 25.9	45.6 / 48.7	36.7 / 38.2
2.0 4 Cyl	EFI	115 / 85  @ 5500 rpm	118 / 160  @ 4000 rpm	120 / 117	9.9 / 12.7	25.5 / 24.6	42.8 / 45.6	34.4 / 34.4
2.8 V6	EFI	150 / 110  @ 5800 rpm	161 / 219  @ 3000 rpm	129 / 127	9.0 / 11.0	19.4 / 18.2	38.2 / 38.7	30.1 / 30.4

All manufacturers figures. 

Three trim levels were available in the UK: 

GL was the starting point and was available with all four engine sizes. It included central locking, remote mirrors, cloth seats, heated rear window with built on radio aerial and drivers seat height adjustment. 

Ghia trim was available with both 2.0 and the 2.8 engine. It added electric windows and mirrors, tinted glass, sunroof, more instrumentation with a rev counter, graphic warning module and overhead console with time, date and outside temperature display. 

Scorpio trim was only available with the 2.8 engine. On top of the Ghia it added electric adjustment and heating for the front seats with blow up lumber support, electrically reclining rear backrest, heated front screen, air conditioning, front fog lights, electric sunroof, fuel computer, high pressure headlight washers and a better radio / cassette player. Options included cruise control, separate audio controls and headphone sockets for the rear and a towing package comprising a Limited Slip Diff and self levelling rear suspension. 

Power steering was standard on the V6 and an option on 2.0 engines. Also the automatic gearbox was usually specified on the V6 as it is a no cost option. 

Sales initally were brisk and for the first few months of its life there was a waiting list for the new Granada, it was excellent value for money and due to this and the standard ABS it was voted Car of the Year 1986. Unfortunately it suffered from teething problems like minor electrical faults and the gearbox proved to be particular weak with failures occuring at unacceptably low mileages, it never suffered waiting lists again and sales gradually declined as medium sized cars became available with the luxuries previously only associated with the Scorpio. 

Subsequent development to the range included adding the four wheel drive system from the Sierra in late 1985.  

In October 1986 the 2.8 was replaced by a redesigned V6 with a capacity of 2.9. This had a new cylinder head to better breathing needed for catalytic converters, also the timing gears were replaced by a chain and the oil pump redesigned. 

A 2.5 Turbo Diesel was added in 1989 but its advantage over the 2.0 Granadas was minimal and to recoup the £1425 price premium would take 80,000 miles which is why they are comparatively rare. 

A 2.4 V6 was added in 1987 to try and bridge the gap between the 2.0 EFI and 2.9 engines. 

The most interesting addition to the range came in 1991 with a 24 Valve 2.9 V6 developed by Cosworth. At last the V6 had hydraulic tappets and the engine was praised in the press for its power and refinement. To save money it was developed purely for the automatic gearbox but a look at the performance figures in the following table illustrate what a big improvement that engine made to the top models.  

Comparative figures for these engines are: 

Capacity  (Litres)	Fuel  System	Power  bhp/kW DIN	Torque  lb ft/Nm DIN	Top  Speed  Man/Auto	Acceleration  0-60  Man/Auto	MPG  Urban	MPG  56 Mph	MPG  75 Mph
2.5 4 Cyl	Turbo Diesel	92 / 68  @ 4150 rpm	150 / 204  @ 2250rpm	107	13.4	30.7	47.1	34.0
2.4 V6	EFI	130 / 97  @ 5800 rpm	142 / ?  @ 3000 rpm	122 / ?	9.5 / ?	?	?	?
2.9 V6  4WD	EFI	150 / 110  @ 5800 rpm	? / 233  @ 3000 rpm	126	8.9	19.1	37.7	28.0
2.9 V6  2WD	EFI	150 / 110  @ 5800 rpm	? / 233  @ 3000 rpm	129 / 127	8.5 / 10.3	19.9 / 19.5	39.8 / 40.4	31.7 / 32.1
2.9 V6  24 Valve  Auto	EFI	195 / 143  @ 5750 rpm	203 / 275  @ 4500 rpm	140	8.3	18.7	33.6	28.0

All manufacturers figures. 

A minor facelift adding a new grille and body coloured bumpers occured in late 1989. No mechanical changes took place although you could pay extra to have a catalyst and lose 5 bhp on the 2.9 engine. You also get a few stickers to let your fellow motorists know how keen you are on protecting the environment despite driving a car with a bigger engine than most. 

Two new trim levels were added at the bottom an LX was sloted in below the GL. This had similar equipment to the previous GL which was repositioned with a few extra goodies like electric windows and mirrors. To bridge the large gap between the Ghia and Scorpio trim levels a Ghia X was introduced. This was basically a Scorpio without the Air Con, Electric Seats and Leather option. 

A more major facelift occurred in 1992 with new lights and grill at the front, and a full width reflector and darkened lights at the back. Tha dashboard also underwent a major revision although the same instruments were retained (see 1992 Brochure). The range was also rationalised as the 4WD was dropped and the trim levels reduced to 3 (GLX, Ghia & Scorpio). Most notable was the final appearance of the Estate. It was designed with practicality and load carrying in mind and finally provided a good value alternative to Volvo and Mercedes Estates. I don't have exact figures but it appears to be popular as a lot of Granada Estates appear to be about. 

The Granada came back into the spotlight at the beginning of 1995 as it underwent a very drastic facelift with those Bug Eyed headlights and whale like rear boot with the lights arranged in a single narrow strip. The Granada name was dropped and the whole range was now called the Scorpio. The floorpan and passenger compartment were unchanged and it used the same doors as the previous model. A computer was added to the autobox to give Sport, Economy and Winter Modes. The air con was upgraded to automatic climate control with driver and passanger individual settings, and the Electric seats gained a three position memory which was linked to the mirrors as well. The suspension was redesigned with new mounting points and rate of springs and dampers. The end result was a car that was critically acclaimed in the press as class leading for its ride and handling compromise. They weren't so complimentary about the looks and although it lead a new fashion the followers such as the Mercedes E-Class didn't look anything like as ugly. Sales have continued to plumment and even my local Ford dealer doesn't stock the brochures so you're spared too many pictures. On the positive side they are pretty cheap secondhand and don't suffer any major problems. I would also imagine you rarely get held up on motorways as middle or outside lane hogs can't fail to notice what is behind them for too long, the police seem to like them probably for that reason as well. 

December 98: With falling sales production of the Scorpio stopped in June but only recently has it been dropped from most magazines and company car price lists.It seems to be holding up in the secondhand market Ok though,obviously people wanting something different and needing plenty of space still appreciate it. Its replacement by the Lincoln LS6/8 is still a few months off, but they've done an interesting website with a lot more pictures than I've seen in the motoring press(  Ford Lincoln ). 

Please Contact Me if you spot any errors or have anything you can add to this history.