Did you know it started like this?

[LincMercLover]

Found an interesting article:

http://www.fordvschevy.com/ford/marauder_concept.html

Hmm... never saw that concept. Looks rather rough. And a SOCH! No way jose! Kinda like the instrument cluster though.

[modular46]

That's a very old article about the original concept car, that we waited at least 4 years for.:mad:

[RCSignals]

Wasn't the predecessor of the Marauder concept the Crown Victoria Blackhawk concept?

Can't find pictures right now, but the Blackhawk used a multi-spoke wheel very similar to one of the 17" wheels used this year on the Town Car

[LincMercLover]

You talking about this?

http://www.motortrend.com/jan01/blackhawk/1.html

Looks to me more like the origanal idea for the CV Sport (*cough* CHEAP *cough*). They actually thought about putting the 5.4L in our cars?!?! Damn... where do I sign? :D

[RCSignals]

Yes that is it. As I understand it is what spawned the Marauder concept, although that atricle does not indicate that.
The CV LXSport did come out of it, probably to placate Ford dealers for taking away the Blackhawk.
Yes a 5.4 was apparently the original plan. Not using it had something to do with height of the engine, and probably not wanting to cut into engine production for trucks

[MAD-3R]

I heard they couldn't fit the 5.4 in do to the placement of the Windshield washer fluid.... And I'm sure CAFE probebly had something to do with it.

[Logan]

Yeah, the 5.4 is a taller motor, I can see it interfering with the hood line...

[RCSignals]

windshield washer fluid? no, supposedly windshield wiper motor for the DOHC. They redesigned the engine bay to make installation of the DOHC 4.6 easier.