View source for Ford Scorpio

{{short description|Executive car produced by Ford (1985-1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2009}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = 1997 Ford Scorpio 2.3 Ghia (13011471365).jpg
| name = Ford Scorpio
| manufacturer = [[Ford of Europe|Ford Europe]]
| production = 1985–1998
| predecessor = [[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada]]
| successor = [[Jaguar S-Type (1999)|Jaguar S-Type]]
| assembly = Germany: [[Cologne]] ([[Cologne Body & Assembly]])
| class = [[Executive car]] ([[E-segment|E]])
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]] (1985–1998)<br>[[Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, four-wheel-drive]] (1985–1994)
| sp = uk
}}

The '''Ford Scorpio''' is an [[executive car]] that was produced by [[Ford Germany]] from 1985 to 1998.<ref name="scorpiouk">{{cite web|url=http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/|title=Ford Scorpio|work=fordscorpio.co.uk|access-date=8 September 2017|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612232937/http://fordscorpio.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the replacement for the [[Ford Granada (Europe)|European Ford Granada]] line (although in the UK and Ireland the Scorpio was marketed under the Granada name until 1994). Like its predecessor, the Scorpio was targeted at the executive car market. A variant known as the [[Merkur Scorpio]] was sold briefly on the North American market during the late 1980s. While Ford's [[Ford Taurus|Taurus]] was of a similar size, Ford maintained the need for two parallel cars – while Scorpio buyers valued high-speed stability, a tight turning radius, and a sizable rear seat, American buyers had other requirements.<ref name=TV0591.15>{{cite magazine | ref = CJ91 | title = Allt om bilen: PS | trans-title = All about cars: PS | language = sv | magazine = [[Teknikens Värld]] | publisher = Specialtidningsförlaget AB | location = Stockholm, Sweden | page = 15 | date = 1991-03-07 | issue = 5 | volume = 43 | editor-first = Claes | editor-last = Johansson }}</ref>

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==First generation (1985–1994)==
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Ford Scorpio front 20080414.jpg
| caption = Ford Scorpio Mk I Saloon (1989–1992)
| name = First generation
| aka = [[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada]]<br />[[Merkur Scorpio]]
| production = 1985–1994
| assembly = 
| designer = [[Uwe Bahnsen]]<br>James Kelly
| body_style = 4-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]<br />5-door [[hatchback]]<br />5-door [[station wagon|estate]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]] / [[four wheel drive]]
| platform = Ford DE-1 platform
| engine = {{ubl | ''[[Petrol engine|Petrol]]'': | 1.8&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Pinto engine|Pinto]]'' [[Overhead camshaft|OHC]] [[Straight-four engine|I4]] | 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Pinto engine|Pinto]]'' OHC I4 | 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[Ford I4 DOHC engine|Ford DOHC]]'' [[Double overhead camshaft|DOHC]] I4 | 2.4&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' [[Overhead valve|OHV]] [[V6 engine|V6]] | 2.8&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' OHV V6 | 2.9&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne]]'' OHV V6 | 2.9&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cosworth BOA]]'' DOHC V6 | ''[[Diesel engine|Diesel]]'': | 2.5&nbsp;L [[List of PSA engines#XD|''Peugeot XD3'']] OHV I4 | 2.5&nbsp;L [[List of PSA engines#XD|''Peugeot XD3T'']] OHV [[Turbocharged|turbo]] I4 | 2.5&nbsp;L [[List of VM Motori engines#425 OHV|''VM 425'']] OHV turbo I4 }}
| transmission = 5-speed ''[[Ford Type 9 transmission|Type 9]]'' [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br />5-speed ''[[Ford MT75 transmission|MT-75]]'' manual<br />4-speed ''[[Ford C3 transmission|A4LD]]'' [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| wheelbase = {{cvt|2761|mm|1}}
| length = {{cvt|4673|mm|1}} (hatchback)<br />{{cvt|4744|mm|1}} (sedan and estate)
| width = {{cvt|1760|mm|1}}
| height = {{cvt|1440|mm|1}}
| weight = {{cvt|1380|kg|0}}
}}
{{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | width = 220
| image1 = 1985 Ford Granada Scorpio I Automatuc 2.8 Front.jpg
| image2 = 1985 Ford Granada Scorpio I Automatuc 2.8 Rear.jpg
| caption2 = Ford Granada Scorpio Mk I Hatchback (1985–1989)
}}
[[File:Ford Scorpio rear 20080414.jpg|thumb|left|Ford Scorpio Mk I Saloon (1989–1992)]]
Codenamed ''DE-1'' during its development (since it was intended to straddle the European [[D-segment|D]] and [[E-segment|E]] segments), the Scorpio was heavily based on the [[Ford Sierra|Sierra]], sitting on a stretched version of its [[floorpan]], and using a similar styling philosophy set by both the Sierra and the third generation [[Ford Escort (European)|Escort]].

Under the [[Hood (vehicle)|bonnet]] were well proven engines, starting with the venerable [[Ford Pinto engine|Pinto engine]] unit in 1.8&nbsp;L and 2.0&nbsp;L capacities, as well as the [[V6]] [[Ford Cologne engine|Cologne engine]] in 2.4 or 2.8-litre displacements. The larger engine was later replaced by a 2.9-litre derivative, and while the slow selling 2.4 remained in production until 1994 it was effectively replaced by the 2.0 DOHC in most markets. By the summer of 1989, the Pinto engines had begun to be gradually replaced, with the eight-valve version of Ford's [[Ford I4 DOHC engine|DOHC engine]] replacing the 2.0&nbsp;L model.

The Scorpio was intended to maintain Ford's position in Europe as the principal alternative to a Mercedes or BMW for those looking to own an executive car. It was also launched more than a year ahead of new competitors from Rover and Opel/Vauxhall.<ref name="scorpiouk"/>

To this end Ford built on the already extensive specification available on the outgoing MkII Granada (which for the period, was very well equipped, with features such as leather seats, [[air conditioning]], electric sunroof, and trip computer either standard or available as options) by adding some additional features unusual on a mass market car. Improvements available included: heated windscreen, [[cruise control]], electrically adjustable seats front and rear and later [[all-wheel drive]].

Initially the Chubb AVA lock barrel was fitted to models at launch, but by around 1987 these were replaced by the Tibbe lock.

The most notable advance was the fitment of [[anti-lock braking system]], the first time this feature had been made standard across the whole range on a mass-produced car.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrkultur/guenstige-oldtimer-der-ford-scorpio-a-1068615.html|title=Günstige Oldtimer - Ford Scorpio: Weder Fisch noch Pferd|last=Prengel|first=Haiko|date=3 January 2016|work=Der Spiegel|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118112934/http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrkultur/guenstige-oldtimer-der-ford-scorpio-a-1068615.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The car was widely praised as being very comfortable and spacious, particularly in respect of its rear legroom.

Unlike the Granada, it was initially only available as a [[hatchback]], and not as a [[sedan (car)|saloon]] or [[station wagon|estate]]. This proved to be a mistake for Ford, which later introduced a saloon version in December 1989. An estate version finally appeared in the beginning of 1992, when the whole range underwent a facelift, with new styling which hinted at the new [[Ford Mondeo|Mondeo]], which would replace the Sierra a year later. There were few engineering changes over the years, notably the introduction of the DOHC engines in 1989, and the '''Scorpio Cosworth''' with a 2.9&nbsp;L 24 valve [[Cosworth]] V6 in December 1990.

The Cosworth was both large and fast, which consequently gave it poor [[fuel consumption]]. Many owners often commented at the fact that 25 miles per gallon was about as much as you could get out of a car with this engine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pistonheads.com/news/shed-of-the-week/shed-of-the-week-ford-scorpio-24v/32071|title=Shed Of The Week: Ford Scorpio 24v {{!}} PistonHeads|last=Middlehurst|first=Tony|date=1 May 2015|website=www.pistonheads.com|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707080320/http://www.pistonheads.com/news/shed-of-the-week/shed-of-the-week-ford-scorpio-24v/32071|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Prop-shaft]] deterioration over time was also considered to be a problem on early Mark I and II Cosworths.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, following the initial market resistance towards the Sierra, something which had been attributed to its radical styling, Ford elected to keep the Granada name in those markets, making the Scorpio effectively a Mk III Granada. The "Scorpio" name was instead used as a [[Automotive trim nomenclature|trim designation]] rather than the model name, being positioned higher than Ford's traditional ''[[Carrozzeria Ghia#The Ghia name|Ghia]]'' top of the range model. These models were marketed as "Granada Scorpio", but were badged simply as "Scorpio", with an elongated "Granada" underneath.

===Merkur Scorpio===
{{Main|Merkur Scorpio}}

The Merkur Scorpio was a North American version of the European Scorpio Mk I. The car was offered at select [[Lincoln (car)|Lincoln]]&ndash;[[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] dealerships from 1988 to 1989.
[[File:Merkur Scorpio 2.9 Ghia (35762979256).jpg|thumb|left|1989 Merkur Scorpio]]

The [[Merkur]] Scorpio was only offered with the [[Ford Cologne V6 engine#2.9|Cologne 2.9L]] V6 engine with some detail differences from the contemporary Fords. Adapted to meet American emissions requirements, the Merkur version of the Scorpio produced {{cvt|140|hp|kW|0}} when introduced to the North American market in 1988.

The vast majority were fitted with the [[Ford A4LD transmission#A4LD|A4LD]] four speed automatic transmission, and the rest received the T-9 five speed manual transmission. Only automatic versions of the Scorpio were available in Canada. The car was marketed as an upscale, [[mid-size car|mid-size]] [[luxury car]], but never achieved the [[market impact]] that the Ford Motor Company hoped for. Ford dropped the [[Merkur]] nameplate altogether after 1989.
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===Facelifted model===
The model was a facelifted Mark I with changed grille, headlights, rear lights, bonnet and dashboard. It went on sale in March 1992, at the same time that an estate model (first shown in October 1991 at the [[London Motorfair]]) was added to the range.

The outdated [[List of PSA engines#XD|Peugeot XD3]] diesel engine was also replaced by a more powerful unit from Italian [[VM Motori]]. This facelift realigned the look of the Granada with the forthcoming Mondeo, and kept styling cues coherent across the model range.

<gallery widths=200 heights=130>
Ford Scorpio 1992 Stufenheck.jpg|Facelifted Ford Scorpio Mk I saloon
Ford Scorpio Limousine.jpg|The five-door remained available, though its market share dwindled
Ford Scorpio Turnier rear 20071026.jpg|Scorpio station wagon ("Turnier"; rear)
</gallery>
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==Second generation (1994–1998)==
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Ford Scorpio front 20080214.jpg
| caption = Ford Scorpio Mk II Saloon
| name = Second generation
| aka =
| production = 1994–1998
| body_style = 4-door [[Sedan (car)|saloon]]<br />5-door [[Station wagon|estate]]<br />3-door [[hearse]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| platform =
| engine = {{ubl
  | '''[[Petrol engine|Petrol]]''':
  | 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[Ford I4 DOHC engine#I4 DOHC|NSD]]'' 8V [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | 2.0&nbsp;L ''[[Ford I4 DOHC engine#I4 DOHC|N3A]]'' 16V I4
  | 2.3&nbsp;L ''[[Ford I4 DOHC engine#I4 DOHC|Y5A/Y5B]]'' 16V I4
  | 2.9&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|BRG]]'' 12V [[V6 engine|V6]]
  | 2.9&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Cologne V6 engine|BOB]] (Cosworth)'' 24V V6
  | '''[[Diesel engine|Diesel]]''':
  | 2.5&nbsp;L ''[[List of VM Motori engines#425 OHV|SCD (VM 425)]]'' [[Overhead valve engine|OHV]] [[Turbo-diesel|turbo]] I4
  }}
| transmission = 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br />4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| wheelbase = {{cvt|2770|mm|1}}
| length = {{cvt|4825|mm|1}}<br />{{cvt|4826|mm|1}} (estate)
| width = {{cvt|1760|mm|1}}
| height = {{cvt|1388|mm|1}}<br />{{cvt|1442|mm|1}} (estate)
| weight = {{cvt|1577|kg|0}}
}}
Launched at the [[Paris Motor Show]] in October 1994,<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|date=January 1995|title=Ford Scorpio|magazine=Motor Trend|publisher=Petersen Publishing Company|location=Los Angeles|volume=47|issue=1|page=18|issn=0027-2094}}</ref> the second generation Scorpio was made available in saloon or estate styles only, the hatchback bodystyle having been dropped. It was essentially a comprehensive risk of its predecessor, retaining the same floorpan, as well as all of the same engines that were in use at the end of the first generation's run. Many suspension and handling improvements were made between the first and second generations (including self levelling rear suspension on the estates). It was also radically restyled both inside and outside, with new design of headlights, grille and door handles, which were taken from the [[Ford Crown Victoria]].

Despite its controversial styling, the luxury interior, handling and performance were widely praised by reviewers. [[Edward Stobart]] praised the car, and [[Jeremy Clarkson]] declared it '[as] equally talented' as the [[Opel Omega|Vauxhall Omega]], one of the Scorpio's main rivals, and that it was 'well made... extremely well equipped, and considering its size, it was good value for money'.<ref name=":5" /> In general however, this praise however was overshadowed by criticism concerning the styling.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|title=Is this the ugliest car in Britain?|last=Eason|first=Kevin|date=29 April 1995|work=The Times|issue=65254|page=7}}</ref> In addition, the "Granada" name, which had been retained in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the MkI Scorpio (AKA MkIII Granada) was finally dropped and the "Scorpio" name – already used elsewhere – was adopted.

In April 1998, it was listed as the third worst N-registered car (August 1995 to July 1996) to own in the United Kingdom from a ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' survey of 120 cars, receiving a particularly low rating for its reliability. It fared slightly better in the 1999 and 2000 surveys.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/76281.stm |title=Skoda has last laugh |work=BBC News |date=10 April 1998 |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807154406/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/76281.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 1997, the Scorpio was facelifted, with darker headlight surrounds and a more subtle grille, to tone down the front end of the car. The '50s-throwback' 'low-slung wrap-around'<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/advertising-promotion-design-choice-ford-scorpio/61586|title=ADVERTISING & PROMOTION: DESIGN CHOICE; FORD SCORPIO|last=Curtis|first=James|date=22 August 1996|work=Campaign|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904200551/http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/advertising-promotion-design-choice-ford-scorpio/61586|url-status=live}}</ref> rear lights were also revised to make the 'plump' rear-end of the car less bulbous. Despite plans to release a new model in 1998,<ref name=":3" /> this was to be the last development for the model, which finished production over the summer of 1998.

Whether or not the car genuinely made Ford's sales expectations, the shifting European car market at the end of the 1990s meant that it was not directly replaced. This was not unusual at the time, with the market trending towards either high-specced [[large family car]]s for executives or towards [[multi-purpose vehicle]]s for families, as mainstream brands gradually surrendered the "E" segment to "premium" brands such as [[BMW]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], and [[Audi]]. Reflecting this new reality, Ford's ownership of [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] and [[Volvo]] meant that it now had direct access to the European executive car market with the newly developed [[Jaguar S-Type (1999)|Jaguar S-Type]] and [[Volvo S80]]<ref>{{cite AV media|title= Why did Ford's luxury Granada/Scorpio disappear in the 90s?|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSMoIC-tUSE|access-date= 4 August 2022|format= [[YouTube]]|time= 13:55 to 14:09|publisher= Big Car|archive-date= 24 May 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220524093716/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSMoIC-tUSE|url-status= live}}</ref> without directly replacing the Scorpio.<ref>{{cite web | title = Jaguar S Type 2002 Range Road Test | url = http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/jaguar/jaguar-s-type-2002-range-road-test// | publisher = HonestJohn.co.uk | date = 3 July 2002 | access-date = 24 January 2014 | archive-date = 3 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140303060006/http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/jaguar/jaguar-s-type-2002-range-road-test | url-status = live }}</ref>

The [[Dutch royal family]] used several Scorpios, some stretched ones, and all painted in Royal Blue. There is still a custom-built Scorpio [[Landaulet (car)|landaulet]] in the royal stables. After Ford ended the production, the [[Volvo S80]] replaced the Ford models.

=== Styling and appearance ===
The new Scorpio was the first ever Ford design developed entirely using a [[Computer-aided design|CAD]]/[[Computer-aided manufacturing|CAM]] computer system,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/youngtimer-ford-scorpio-ii-ford-zum-sonntag-6791258.html|title=Youngtimer Ford Scorpio II: Ford zum Sonntag|last=Jürgens|first=Malte|date=18 March 2013|work=auto motor und sport|access-date=24 February 2018|language=de}}</ref> and inside the car were new armchair style seats and improved interior quality, but outside the new 'Americanised' look was controversial. The car sported bulbous 'globular' headlights and its tail lights were arranged in a thin line just above the bumper (described as a 'gratuitously narrow... ill-chosen necklace... resembling a giant cushion'). Unusually, Ford never released the name of the designer and maintain to this day that the car outsold its expected figures (although they never released what those figures actually were),<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/borntoberiledcol0000clar|title=Born to be riled : the collected writings of Jeremy Clarkson.|last=Jeremy.|first=Clarkson|date=2006|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=0141028998|location=London|oclc=156262556|url-access=registration}}</ref> however it has been noted that the unknown designer was 'very proud' of their work.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Clarkson's design flaw|last=Heffernan|first=John|date=13 February 2011|work=The Times|page=10}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = ...there's no way [Ford] could raise additional funds by flogging posters of the [Scorpio] to teenagers.<ref name=":1" />
| source = ''Clarkson on: the Ford Scorpio'', 1998
| align = left
| width = 25%
| author = [[Jeremy Clarkson]]
}}

The bulging headlights and wide grille were defended as 'bold', 'quirky', 'a design statement', 'dramatic',<ref name=":4" /> and provided 'refreshing lines',<ref name=":4" /> but the public and press reaction to the design was largely negative. Contemporary reviewers wrote that the car had a 'stupid grin', 'gormless mouth',<ref name=":5">{{cite AV media|title=Clarkson: Duel|date=2 November 2009|last=Clarkson|first=Jeremy|type=DVD|language=en|publisher=[[2 Entertain|2 Entertain Video]]|location=United Kingdom|time=45|quote=In many ways the Scorpio wasn't a bad car. It was well made, it was extremely well equipped, and considering its size, it was good value for money. But, for some reason, it went on sale with a face of such unparalleled awfulness, that very few people ever actually bought one. Why would you? Why would anybody deliberately buy a car that they knew would make their children cry? We've had cars styled to look like jaguars and sharks in the past, but never, until this came along, had one ever been styled to look like a frog... but with its gormless mouth and its stupid headlights, this was a first. If you were going to run a competition to find the world's ugliest car, this would probably win it. So it's not a good looking car...}}</ref> 'droopy nose', 'daft' 'humped [[Trunk (car)|boot]]',<ref name=":4" /> 'dopey eyes', 'revolting' 'stupid headlights',<ref name=":5" /> a 'fish-mouth grille opening',<ref name=":3" /> 'fat flanks', a 'reptilian gurn', and that it looked 'mixed up', 'boxy yet curvy', 'gargoyle-ugly' and 'bug eyed', it 'resembled something that [[David Attenborough]] might reveal from a dank cave in [[Borneo]]',<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/great-motoring-disasters-ford-scorpio/|title=Great Motoring Disasters: Ford Scorpio {{!}} Motoring Research|website=www.motoringresearch.com|language=en-GB|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925035352/https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/great-motoring-disasters-ford-scorpio/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 'driving a [[milk float]] would score more cred points in a traffic jam'.<ref name=":0" />

The styling was so controversial that several months before the release of the vehicle to the public, Ford set up a focus group involving large sections of the automotive press at their engineering and design centre in [[Cologne]], comparing the distinctive 'smiling mouth' grille to historic designs such as those from [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]], [[Alfa Romeo]], and [[Austin-Healey]]. The acknowledgement by Ford of good design from other manufacturers was praised by the press; however, the design of the Scorpio itself received universal condemnation, and the focus group failed to placate the media regarding the car's appearance, who would later go on to viciously attack the styling on release.<ref name=":2" />[[File:Ford Scorpio rear 20080214.jpg|left|thumb|Ford Scorpio Mk II saloon]] [[File:1997 Ford Scorpio 2.3 Ghia Estate (14367376823).jpg|thumb|left|Ford Scorpio MK II estate]] On release, the styling was immediately criticised in both the automotive press and the non-automotive mainstream media, with entire pages in the latter attacking the aesthetics. [[Tony Mason (co-driver)|Tony Mason]] of [[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]] disliked the front, saying that the headlamps looked out of place and the car looked incomplete, [[Edward Stobart]] described the car as 'the ugliest car in Britain', particularly disliking the 'featureless' rear, saying that it did not look as good as the [[BMW 7 Series|BMW 7-Series]], while Ken Greenley of the [[Royal College of Art]] (designer of the [[SsangYong Musso]] and [[SsangYong Rodius|Rodius]]) disliked the entire design philosophy. Described as 'just plain ugly', 'like one of those fairground cars with a silly face on the front', 'like something out of [[Walt Disney]], someone has gone on [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|acid]] and tripped to the Seventies for the front', and 'designed by a committee of people in sunglasses sitting in the dark'. Other reviewers were even more scathing, one saying that 'it doesn't have much of a personality... the front of the car is like a face with a huge beaming smile... it looks a bit ridiculous really', another describing the front end as '{{Not a typo|look[ing]}} like someone's just rammed a banana up its bottom',<ref name=":6" /> and another remarking 'I wouldn't feel proud of this... it's the ugliest car going'.<ref name=":4" />

After release, the criticism became even more intense, journalists describing it as 'much unloved', 'Britain's most unpopular car', a 'poor relation' to its rivals,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Unloved, ugly Scorpio axed|last=Gentleman|first=Amelia|date=10 March 1998|work=The Guardian|page=4}}</ref> 'styled like a [[guppy]]',<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=15 May 2013|title=Smoking hot bangers|magazine=Autocar|publisher=Haymarket Business Publications Ltd.|location=Teddington|volume=276|issue=6048|pages=44–47, 49–53|issn=1355-8293}}</ref> with 'the looks of a smiling frog', and 'the ugliest manmade vehicle of all time'.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Farewell to Ford Scorpio|date=10 March 1998|work=The Times|page=2|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>

Described as a '[[wikt:gopping|gopping]] hideous monstrosity', [[Jeremy Clarkson]] wrote in ''[[The Times]]'' at the time that this car had "village idiot features" and a "loopy face".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/jeremy-clarkson/clarkson-ford-scorpio|title=Clarkson on: the Ford Scorpio|website=www.topgear.com|date=4 September 1996|language=en|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816191906/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/jeremy-clarkson/clarkson-ford-scorpio|url-status=live}}</ref> He elaborated later on that the Scorpio ended any argument as to which car was the ugliest on the road,<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|title=Not a pretty face|last=Clarkson|first=Jeremy|date=28 August 1994|work=[[The Times]]|page=15}}</ref> that the car "{{Not a typo|resemble[s]}} an extra from ''[[Finding Nemo]]''", and that it had 'a face of such unparalleled awfulness' and would 'make... children cry'.<ref name=":5" /> [[Richard Hammond]] and [[James May]] described it as '[[wikt:gopping|gopping]]',<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Top Gear|episode-link=Top Gear (2002 TV series)|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r5xcq|access-date=16 August 2017|series=19|series-link=Top Gear (series 19)|network=BBC|station=BBC Two|date=3 March 2013|series-no=19|number=SP-Pt1|minutes=13|quote=I've always liked the Scorpio... You have not! You know that word you like, James, 'gopping'? It is gopping! That was invented... Nothing has ever been more gopping than that!|language=en|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813230049/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r5xcq|url-status=live}}</ref> while May additionally described it as 'not Ford's finest styling',<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Top Gear|episode-link=Top Gear (2002 TV series)|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052r1b5|access-date=28 October 2017|series=22|series-link=Top Gear (series 22)|network=BBC|station=BBC Two|date=8 February 2015|series-no=22|number=3|minutes=6|quote=But there's a bit of an elephant in the room. Yes, I knew you were going to say that, it's not Ford's finest styling, I know...|language=en|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524182729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052r1b5|url-status=live}}</ref> and in Richard Porter's 2004 book ''Crap Cars'' the Scorpio Mark II was listed as number 49 (of 50) on looks alone.

On the DVD special ''Clarkson: Heaven and Hell'', Jeremy Clarkson set up a [[jousting]] contest between a Scorpio&nbsp;– which he described as "a wide mouthed frog" – and a [[Triumph TR7]], eventually destroying both cars via head-on collision.

In Germany, the satirical magazine ''[[Titanic (magazine)|Titanic]]'' noted the Scorpio's front's similarity to the facial features of politician [[Günter Verheugen]], who would go on to become EU Commissioner.<ref>Referenced in "Erkenntnis und Interesse RÄTSEL Gehen Sie ins Netz", ''[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung]]'', 30 March 2003, no. 13, p. 66, [https://archive.today/20130723112023/http://www.seiten.faz-archiv.de/fas/20030330/sd1200303301813167.html http://www.seiten.faz-archiv.de/fas/20030330/sd1200303301813167.html.]</ref>

=== Trim levels and engines ===
The Scorpio Mark II was available in the following levels of [[Trim package|trim]] (each one being available as a saloon or an estate and with any engine). Regardless of the trim level, any car with a 2.9 Cosworth engine was fitted with [[traction control system|traction control]], [[cruise control]] and an [[automatic gearbox]] as standard (a manual gearbox could not be specified at all). All other engines could be fitted with either a manual or automatic transmission although, in practice, the vast majority of Scorpios were automatic.
[[File:Ford Scorpio AA-90 of the Royal Dutch family, photo1.JPG|right|thumb|Stretched Ford Scorpio Mk II used by the Dutch royal family]]
[[File:1998 Ford Scorpio Ultima 24V Automatic 3.0 Front.jpg|thumb|Facelifted Ford Scorpio Mk II Saloon]]
* Executive: The base model, although even this had a high level of specification including electric windows, [[anti-lock braking system|ABS]], [[Power steering|PAS]] as well as an alarm and immobiliser.
* [[Ghia]]: This level added air conditioning, alloy wheels, front fog lights and electric mirrors as well as a variety of minor additions.
* Ultima: The highest level added a CD autochanger, climate control, leather seats, [[cruise control]] and an automatically dimming mirror, and electrically operated seats as well as a variety of other minor improvements.

Some Ultima versions were fitted with a VM Motori 2.5 litre turbo diesel engine. The VM halves the fuel bills but suffered from [[Turbocharger|turbo lag]] and a tendency to all-or-nothing acceleration.

Unusually trim levels and engine sizes were not liveried on the backs of the cars. Rather the trim levels were liveried on the sides of the cars by the Scorpio badges on the rear window frames as such. The Executive had no badge, simply the word "Scorpio". Each other model had the model name under the badge, for example "Scorpio Ultima."

Engine sizes were also on the sides of the cars towards the front just above the auxiliary indicator lights as such:

*2.0&nbsp;L: no badge (on older cars the two litre 8 valve had no badge, but the two litre sixteen valve bore had the badge "2.0 16v")
*2.3&nbsp;L: "2.3" (on older cars "2.3 16v")
*2.9&nbsp;L: "2.9" (on older cars "2.9 12v")
*2.9&nbsp;L: Cosworth "24v"

Unlike the Mark I Scorpio, the word "Cosworth" did not appear anywhere on the outside of cars fitted with such an engine (possibly in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of vehicle theft) although it is in evidence across the top of the engine. However, on the 1998 facelift, the Cosworth badge is clearly visible on the trunk lid. The output of the Cosworth V6 had also been increased from {{cvt|195|hp|}} to {{cvt|207|hp|}} for the second generation.<ref name=":3" />

== References ==
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{{Reflist}}

{{Modern European Ford vehicles}}
{{FordEurope}}
{{Ford Motor Company vehicles}}

[[Category:Ford of Europe vehicles|Scorpio]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1985]]
[[Category:1980s cars]]
[[Category:1990s cars]]
[[Category:Flagship vehicles]]
[[Category:Executive cars]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1998]]
[[Category:Ford vehicles]]
[[Category:Saloons]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Cars of Germany]]