In side crash protection, the 2002 Grand Marquis has earned double four-star ratings. Upgrades for the 2003 model build on this strong performancewith new optional seat-mounted side air bags for the front outboard seats anda new steel frame crossmember. This crossmember, which ties the frame togetherbehind the A-pillar, has been redesigned to better manage side impact crashforces by transferring energy across the frame structure into the oppositerail. Additional mass also has been added to the rocker section and doors.
Ride and Handling
The new frame is the foundation of the 2003 Grand Marquis' improved ridequality and handling precision. The hydroformed front rails, the strengthenednumber three crossmember and a new cast-aluminum number two crossmembercombine to improve the frame's torsional rigidity by 24 percent and itsresistance to vertical bending by 20 percent. A frame that resists twistingand bending allows the suspension components to operate more efficiently, andit also limits the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness into thebody structure.