Drawing on its '60s heritage, the Marauder gets a full set of satin-aluminum analogue gauges on white backgrounds, including a pair of "retro-look" circular gauges displaying volt and oil pressure readings. These two beauties are nestled low on the dash just ahead of the full-length smoothly finished console, which sports a satin-aluminum metallic insert surrounding the floor-mounted shifter. Two skookum cup holders are inset behind the shifter and are followed closely by a sizeable storage bin-armrest arrangement.
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| A pair of retro-style circular gauges displaying volt and oil pressure readings sit above the floor-mounted shifter. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
A floor-mounted shifter can only mean one thing when it comes to seating, buckets. The Marauder coddles its driver and front passenger in dual eight-way power-reclining heated bucket seats finished in, new for 2004, two-tone dark charcoal and light flint leather. These units are amply padded and provide superior thigh, lumbar and shoulder support. The leather has classic French seam stitching and the front seat backs are embossed with the Mercury god's-head logo. Although the flat, expansive dash appears a little out-dated, the over-all interior design and esthetics is pleasing to the eye and restrained. That is until you get to the steering wheel. Would it be too much to ask for a sporty looking wheel? How about something that fits the muscle car image that the rest of the Marauder exhibits? The bulky unit currently in place has a "low-rent" appearance that is hardly salvaged by the modicum of leather wrapping.
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| Although not highly sophisticated, the interior of the Marauder is tremendously comfortable and roomy, nearly as large as the Mercedes-Benz S Class. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Although not a highly sophisticated cabin, the Marauder can boast of tremendous comfort and substantial room for five lanky adults. In fact Mercury's big sedan has slightly more legroom in the front than the Mercedes-Benz S Class, and just a shade less in the rear. Impressive dimensions indeed. Within all this spaciousness the driver and passengers are treated to all of the bells and whistles normally found in a premium vehicle, including climate control, power adjustable pedals and an audiophile sound system, all of which come standard.
In fact the only Marauder options are a 6-disc CD changer mounted in its gargantuan 583 L (20.6 cu ft) trunk, heated seats, an engine block heater and trunk organizer. Many auto manufacturers are adopting this fully loaded few options format, which generally rewards the consumer with greater bang-for-the-buck. It is a concept I heartily endorse. Ticking option box after option box on an order sheet inflates the price beyond most purchasers' expectations.