High-performance version of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan.

The Mercury Marauder was based on an updated version of the Ford Panther platform. The Marauder had a naturally aspirated 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 producing 302 hp (225 kW) and 318 ft·lbf (431 N·m) of torque; this engine had many parts — including heads, cams, block and rotating assembly — in common with the 2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 Automatic and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator SUV. The Marauder featured a dual exhaust system with unique tailpipe tips, and borrowed many suspension parts from the Handling and Performance Package available for the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis. The Marauder was fitted with the 4R70W 4-speed automatic in 2003 and received the upgraded 4R75W 4-speed automatic for 2004. The limited slip differential with a 3.55 rear axle ratio was borrowed from the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, as well as the aluminum drive shaft.

Cosmetically, the Marauder borrowed trim parts from both its Ford and Mercury stablemates. The headlights and corner lights, from the Grand Marquis, have all non-reflector surfaces blacked out and its grille is painted body-color instead of chrome. Side trim and the B-pillars are painted body-color like the Crown Victoria, which also donates its trunk panel, and tail lights which are tinted to just within DOT standards. The Marauder’s front and rear bumper cover are unique to the vehicle though, with the front featuring Cibie fog lamps, air suspension parts and sporting the car’s name embossed in the back. The car’s five spoke, eighteen inch wheels feature Mercury’s classic “god-head” emblem on its center caps. And unlike the standard Grand Marquis, the Marauder featured front bucket seats and a floor shifter with a center console. The instrument cluster was specific to the Marauder, with the satin aluminum gauges and the pressed electrical board to control them are specific to the Marauder, as is the tachometer. The 140mph (220 km/h) speedometer head unit was borrowed from the Police Interceptor, but with a Marauder unique gauge face. The Marauder is also the only Panther after 1997 with a specific pin on the PCM for a tachometer.

The 2003-2004 Marauder sales fell short of corporate forecasts, and after a production run of just 11,052 vehicles, the Marauder was discontinued at the end of 2004. However the Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport remained, bearing a monochrome appearance similar to the Marauder but powered by the lesser 239 hp (178 kW) 4.6 L 2-valve SOHC V8. The LX Sport also included smaller 17″ wheels, softer suspension, a taller 3.27 rear axle ratio, along with numerous other mechanical and cosmetic details that remain unique to the Marauder. The LX Sport too would be discontinued in 2008 after a very short production run of 2008 model year cars.