Mercury Grand Marquis - Export Markets - Middle East (GCC)

Middle East (GCC)

The Grand Marquis and its twin, the Ford Crown Victoria, were popular sedans in the Middle East, especially in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Vehicles manufactured for this market were known as GCC Spec vehicles, available in all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Due to their age, the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis lost some market share at one point to more contemporary rivals, such as the Chevrolet Caprice (imported from Australia) and the Dodge Charger. For large car buyers, they were popular due to their simplicity, reliability and affordability.

Trim levels

Middle Eastern versions of the Grand Marquis are equipped with slightly different options and features than their North American counterparts. Prior to 2009, six different trim levels were available:

• GS
• GS Convenience
• GSL
• LS (LSE limited to mid 2001 to mid 2003 and 2005 model year)
• LS Premium
• LS Ultimate.

The pre-2009 LS model (previously known as LSE) featured 5-passenger seating with a floor-mounted shifter and center console. In 2009, the LS models were only available with a column shifter and 40/20/40 Lincoln Town Car seats, available in luxury cloth or leather trim. The GSL is a long-wheelbase model offering 152 millimetres (6.0 in) of extra leg room for rear passengers. It is equipped like an LS model, with standard features such as an 8-way power driver's seat (2 way manual passenger seat), side airbags, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatically dimming rearview mirror, electronic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, premium sound system with CD and cassette, 17" wheels with 235/55WR17 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, heated door mirrors, fog lights and special "GSL" badging. The once-optional gauge cluster is standard, with controls located on the centre of the dashboard, between the headunit and climate controls. In North America, this model is only available to fleet customers as a commercial (taxi) version of the Ford Crown Victoria.

For 2009, the Grand Marquis was only available in two different trim levels: GSL and LS, both of which were near identical in terms of features and options. The LS was a Fleet model, which was heavily de-contented, losing once-standard features such as an overhead console with compass and a power passenger seat. The Export Handling Package was dropped, eliminating features such as the Mercury Marauder spoiler and rear air suspension. In Kuwait, the 2009 GSL retailed for KWD 6,500 (USD $22,000) and a fully equipped LS for KWD 7,500 (USD $25,425).

For 2010, the GS model reappeared in the line up, and several features (such as the Mercury Marauder spoiler) became available as standalone options. The Export Handling Package was made standard along with a power passenger seat. In Kuwait, the LS model (M7F) was not available to the general public in 2010, as they are heavily sold to fleet buyers, such as the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and state-owned Kuwait Oil Company, where they are given to employees as fringe benefits.

For 2011, the long wheelbase GSL was replaced by the GS, and the LS model is made available again to the general public in Kuwait. The LS Ultimate Edition remains a Fleet model and differs only slightly from the GS, equipped with features such as leather seats, Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) and an automatically dimming rear-view mirror. Lumbar support is no longer available.

Mechanical details

All vehicles destined for the Middle East feature the High Ambient Temperature and Speed Package, true dual exhaust (except GSL), a heavy-duty battery, an engine oil cooler, an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler and Arabic language labels. Lincoln Town Car seats have also been standard equipment on vehicles manufactured after 1998. Vehicles manufactured prior to 2002 also featured a catalytic converter delete option.

The American Handling and Performance Package (HPP) has been changed to "Export Handling Package" (EHP) for the Middle East. The package consists of rear air suspension, unique springs, an upsized front stabilizer bar, and a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar. The rear axle ratio remains unchanged (2.73:1 for 2003 and newer models or 3.08:1 for vehicles manufactured up to 2002 as opposed to 3.27:1); as a true dual exhaust system is standard equipment, it is not included as part of the package. Vehicles equipped with this package also feature a rear trunk lid spoiler from the Mercury Marauder (not available on GS-L models).

EHP is a standard feature on the LS. The LS Premium and LS Ultimate models equipped with this option share the same 16" 9-spoke wheels as their LS counterparts. The 9-spoke Crown Victoria LX wheel (with a Mercury center cap) replaced the 2003–2005 LSE wheels with darker inserts for 2006 and 2007.

Arabic-language "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" warning. Versions of the Grand Marquis sold in the Middle East are known as "GCC-Spec" (Gulf Cooperation Council)