XR4i, the mid-range sporting model of the Sierra. The XR4Ti name was chosen by Merkur as General Motors used the GMC Sierra and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera nameplates. To comply with American emissions regulations, the 148 hp 2.8L V6 of the XR4i was replaced by a 2.3L turbocharged inline-4. Shared with the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Mercury Cougar XR7, and Ford Mustang SVO, the engine made 175 hp with a 5-speed manual transmission and 145 hp with a 3-speed automatic transmission. The body of the XR4Ti (modified for American regulations) was shared with the Sierra XR4i, it differed from the standard Sierra 3-door in its side profile appearance, in place of the long rear quarter windows of a standard Sierra 3-door, the Merkur is fitted with the C-pillar windows of the 5-door Sierra, with opening rear quarter windows behind the front doors. In line with the XR4i, the Merkur XR4Ti is distinguished by a large biplane rear spoiler (similar to the Ford Mustang SVO). As a result of the Merkur XR4Ti requiring adaptation for North American sale, final assembly was contracted to specialty manufacturer Karmann in Rheine, West Germany. Prior to the 1988 introduction of the Merkur Scorpio, the XR4Ti was the sole Merkur model. In early 1989, the XR4Ti was discontinued. Scorpio Introduced in mid-1987 as a 1988 model, the Merkur Scorpio was targeted for the executive sedan segment. Slightly smaller than the Ford Taurus (though longer in wheelbase), the Merkur Scorpio was adapted directly from the Ford Scorpio, the largest car sold by Ford of Europe. Competing against the Acura Legend, Audi 100, Mercedes-Benz 190E, Saab 9000, Sterling 827, and Volvo 740, in sharp contrast to most of its luxury competitors, the Scorpio was a 5-door hatchback (a bodystyle otherwise only seen in the Saabs and Sterlings in North America). Merkur Scorpios included many standard features and most were sold with the optional Touring Package upgrade. In contrast to the XR4Ti, the Merkur Scorpio was built directly on the Ford Cologne assembly line in West Germany, as its body was largely unchanged (with the exception of 5-mph bumpers and US-market lighting). Powertrain modifications were minimal, as the 2.9L V6 was an engine used in North America (by the Ranger and Bronco II). While a 5-speed manual transmission was standard, nearly every Scorpio sold was equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. One of the shortest-lived vehicles ever produced by