Why the fuss? What’s the big deal about the Scorpio compared with the tried and
tested Granada? Read on. This is more than you will ever need to know about the
changes between the Granada and the new Scorpio.
Visual
The basic floorpan is unchanged. However, the front and rear wings, bumpers,
bootlid, bonnet and rear quarter-lights were redesigned.
The door skins were re-struck to accept new mouldings and chrome handles.
Internally the door trim, dashboard and seats are all new.
The startling new headlamps are of polyellipsoid design. Basically using the
principle of the slide-projector, the headlight uses an aperture between the
bulb and the lens to form the areas of dark and light required, and this is then
projected onto the road. Interestingly, levers inside the rear of the headlamp
units change them to suit continental driving, so that black patches are not
necessary before crossing the channel! See Continental Driving
for details.
A new range of alloy wheels as well as steel wheels were introduced. Wheels
now have four wheel nuts instead of five.
Top models now have climate control.
Lower spec have air conditioning.
Electric 3-positions memory driver’s seat for top models.
In late 1995 the new Ford audio range was introduced, being the 3000, 4000,
5000 and 7000 units. (What happened to the 6000? Dunno.) The units are double
height 100mm units with unique bevelled fascias. They contain built-in
amplifiers and are designed so that with common connections it is easy to
upgrade from a lower series to a higher spec. The 5000 and 7000 units are also
CD controllers and may have joystick control on the driving column. See
Hi Fi.
Dirty Bits
The front suspension still uses MacPherson struts, but with the addition of
front radius arms attached to the front hub carrier. This has located the front
wheels more accurately and increases the accuracy of the steering. The front
anti-roll (stabiliser) bar is raised and is now attached to the hub carrier by
means of link-arms. Careful attention has been paid to front suspension
insulation to reduce NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness).
The rear suspension has also been slightly redesigned with new trailing arms,
and the anti-roll bar is mounted on the subframe with link arms. Brakes are
essentially the same, but ventilated on the rear for the 24V. Estates get
automatic ride height control as standard.
Oily Bits
New fully electronic automatic gearbox (A4LDE) introduced. This links with the
ignition system to reduce torque while changing up to smooth out the change. It
is standard on the 24Vs and optional on the 2.0L 16V DOHC. However, the 12V V6
Granadas get a limited electronic hybrid gearbox called the A4LDe because it
retains the older EEC IV engine management system.
Manual 2.0L DOHC and Diesels receive the excellent MT-75, while all manuals
now have hydraulic clutch actuation introduced in the 1994 Granada (hands up who
noticed).
Variable Resonance Inlet system for improved torque introduced on the
DOHC (Not 2.3L) and V6 24V engines.
Engines and revisions:
| 2.0L DOHC 8V |
Revisions |
| Code: NSD 114PS
See DOHC8V Data | Low speed torque improved |
| Modified cylinder block |
| New pistons with raised compression rings, piston crown modified to reduce compression from 10:3 to 9:8 |
| New multi-steel cylinder head gaskets replace soft gaskets |
| New alloy cylinder head covers, modified upper and lower front covers |
| Platinum spark plugs, 1mm gap |
| Optimised combustion chamber, modified camshafts and different
timings |
| New distribitor-less EDIS ignition system: distributor drive eliminated |
| Modified press-fit for valve guides |
| New valve springs, outer set are oval cross-section |
| Sodium cooled exhaust valves |
| 2.0L DOHC 16V |
Revisions |
| Code: N3A 136PS See DOHC16V Data |
Based on the RS2000 engine |
| Modified cylinder block |
| New pistons with raised compression rings, piston crown modified to reduce compression from 10:3 to 9:8 |
| New multi-steel cylinder head gaskets replace soft gaskets |
| New alloy cylinder head covers, modified upper and lower front
covers |
| Platinum spark plugs, 1mm gap |
| Modified inlet ports, new inlet valve seats, changed fit for valve guides |
| Modified inlet valves |
| New Cylinder head cover with camshaft position sensor |
| Sodium cooled exhaust valves taken from the RS2000 |
|
Variable resonance Inlet System
for improved torque |
Sparky Bits
For all except the V6 12V and the 2.5L TDI Diesel is the new
EEC Vengine management system. It is equipped with the new 16-pin data link for
connection with the Ford FDS 2000 diagnosis unit. This kit can re-program many functions in both the EECV and the locking
and security modules. For example, the Scorpio indicators are not set to flash when the doors are locked, but the FDS2000 can program them to do so (at a
cost.) The diagnostic port inside the change cubby to the right of the driver can be connected with an OBD-2 reader, see
OBD2 Diagnostics to read trouble codes.
Modules for the Anti-Lock Braking and Traction Control systems share components. Passive Anti Theft
module links with door locking and alarm modules. PATS disarms the
ignition module until the coded key is recognised. Even if a key fits, if it is not recognised the car will not start.
Many of the electrical circuits (ie door locking) are
multiplex; that is, they are connected by common command wires, and switched on and off by a signal. Global open/closing opens all the windows and
sunroof automatically if the key is held against the unlock detent when opening, and closes them again by holding the key against the lock detent.
Instrument cluster is fully electronic. Odometer cannot be ‘clocked’.
