On the way in the Ford Scorpio 2.9i 24V – exotic with driving culture

With the elimination of the last Ford Scorpio generation, another piece of business class of the local automobile landscape broke away and also a piece of six-cylinder culture. NTV.de remembered and drove the underestimated car again.

Ford is in the process of clearing out his model program: Mondeo (a little longer) away, Fiesta away and soon also Focus away. What is now happening at the brand level passed at the market level at the end of the nineties – and at that time also caught Ford. From the elimination of the increasingly unpopular large limousines in the lower price segment, the scorpio, which was built in 1994 in 1994, was also affected.

Let's say that – the class didn't break away, but had changed drastically. The upper middle class (also called business class) became so exclusive and expensive with growing demands on the technology that it was only used by premium providers. After all, the BMW's five and the E-Class from Mercedes still exist.

Offers such as Ford Scorpio, Nissan Maxima, Opel Omega and Toyota Camry have unfortunately fell by the wayside – but also in favor of SUV models. But that's a different story. And yet there is no longer a replacement in the affordable area for the large limousines. By the way, a piece of six-cylinder and driving culture broke away with them.

The memories are a bit faded, but it suddenly come back when you get into a Ford Scorpio again. Of course, 2.9i ghia (late copy from 1998), the Cologne names do not have it smaller. But it is also right, because in this constellation the 4.83 meter long limousine can play all its drive potential. In addition, there are lavish fitty control with the strikingly quilted leather – impressive. And then – engine start with a slightly cheap key. Ford. But what sounds now, at least in this country you do not associate Ford, but rather with a more exclusive brand. Seidig and Sonor awakens the well-built 2.9-liter V6. Sure, the older suction pipe injectors generally behave more cultivated than today's direct injection.

“Cossie” scorpio rather comfortable than rapid

Then the hand moves to the selector lever, which still deserves the name; Loosen the lock quickly with the thumb and push it to “D”. And the comfortable scorpio crawls with its four-speed automatic converter automatic converter from today's perspective. But few translations also have advantages. The Ford does not know any interruptions of tension, accelerator commands are promptly implemented. That was quite simple gear construction – simple and functional.

In general, the business grader naturally starts to move more slowly than comparable modern vehicles. And slower than one would suspect: at least the famous zwop-point nine comes from the Cosworth smithy. And what the British sports engine specialist touches is usually becoming a wild number. The work gives the tail operator tired nine seconds up to the 100 km/h mark. This is now really not very sporty for a 207 hp 1.5-tonner, but the six-cylinder, which sounds even more fine in the wonderfully inefficient converter slip, makes up for the light phlegma again. In addition, the focus is on a gentle locomotion.

And while you cruisted with the slightly creaking Cologne -based Cologne in front of yourself with the age -related, the view over the entire dashboard. And I have to smile when you see the somewhat plastic -looking root wood applications. Such interior design inadequacies differentiate the shirt -sleeved, affordable business class from the premium league. But does not do anything that the simple scorpio with the US design (from model year 95), which is perceived as a rather slanted, is definitely satisfied with an upscale comfort.

The limousine only weakens with the operating layout, because there were even more groovy solutions here as cheap-looking rotating and chunky pressure switches in the early nineties. For example, typing keys for a sophisticated automatic climate automatic. But the scorpio is already a bit digital, shows things such as outside temperature, average consumption or range on the on -board computer. And different colored symbols in the form of an ice crystal (orange warns of moderately cold and red of freezing temperatures) indicate potential black ice as a result of falling outside temperatures.

Could you go on a big trip with the Scorpio? But of course, because not only the large leather armchairs with lumbar support and electrical adjustment contribute to the mood of wellbeing, but also the spacious interior. The second row in particular offers no end. And the cruise control makes longer motorway rides.

If you want to have the later Scorpio with the Ami look (there was also a station wagon), you have to search for a long time. The series has died out in such a way that even in the relevant internet exchanges, only a handful of copies can be found at the same time. If a well -groomed piece appears, please access. The prices are in the middle four -digit range.

In addition to the body topic (rust and see), prospective customers should pay attention to wearing cable trees for the engine control, especially for 2.9i-24V with bob detection (second generation). In addition, the control chain always causes problems. If the expert that should be consulted as a layperson has given the green light for the purchase, the last Ford Scorpio is a cool cruiser gold for cheap money with exotic status. Of course, the 24V is needed for six-cylinder fans. Completely in the spirit of driving and engine running culture.