I loved it the minute I saw it — black on black, mean, and just plain nasty looking. Men stopped me to talk about it. My wife thought it was downright sexy. With its big, chrome spoke wheels and wide tires; it looks like a cross between an unmarked police car and a hot rod — if you can imagine such a thing.
   The 2003 Mercury Marauder is a modern version of the 1960s muscle car.
   Mercury has done an excellent job of morphing its 2003 Grand Marquis sedan into a vehicle it hopes will give it a sexier, youthful image. My father’s very last car was a Mercury Grand Marquis, so it’s no state secret that most Mercury buyers are a long way past their youth — and younger buyer’s are desperately needed. At just a shade over $33,000, this car is aimed right at them.
   I hope they don’t overlook the late 60s coming of age crowd because this car definitely fits their niche as well.
   The Marauder is certainly a throwback to the celebrated 1960s muscle car. Back then, fast cars had big V-8s, rear-wheel drive and body-on-frame construction. Because that market segment was so competitive, they were derived from standard models to keep costs in line. Today, the body-on-frame American rear-wheel drive car with a big V-8 is almost an anomaly, mainly sold to police departments and retirement age — or older — buyers.
   Mercury has ripped a page out of a 1960s calendar and made the Marauder a hot, limited production version of the 2003 Grand Marquis. It reminds me of the last big, old-style American muscle car — Chevy’s 1994-96 Impala SS sedan — which was a hit despite being derived from the unpopular and butt-ugly Chevy Caprice. It’s already become a cult and collectors item.
   The Impala drew on Chevy’s high performance legacy, which began in 1955. However, Mercury has a bona fide high-performance history that goes back to 1939 and gives the Marauder a legitimate hot rod pedigree.
   Mercury debuted in 1939 with smoother styling and more power than its sibling Fords. Then along came James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” in the early 1950s, driving a customized ‘49 Merc coupe that defined “cool” and cemented Mercury’s hot rod image.
   But the real action for Mercury came in the 1960s, when Ford got serious about high-performance cars and racing at both its Ford and Mercury divisions. The gargantuan Marauder coupes and sedans of the early 60s featured V8s boasting up to 425 horses and helped usher in the muscle car era.
   Mercury was a major player with its S-55s,Comet Cyclone, and revamped Cyclone GT, and a number of high-performance versions of the Cougar. The huge 1969-70 Marauder X-100 — conservatively rated at 360-horses — ushered that era out when stiff federal emissions regulations and high insurance premiums came along.
   Mercury began focusing on conservative, upscale, mainstream family cars that are basically disguised Fords — competing mainly with the likes of Oldsmobile and Buick before the import invasion.
   Until now.
   The new Marauder benefits from changes made to the 2003 Grand Marquis, including improved suspension, better brakes, more accurate rack-and-pinion steering and a stronger frame. Cosmetically, there’s been some minor front and rear restyling for a more aggressive look.
   However, it’s under the hood where the real business takes place. The Marauder boasts a 281 cubic-inch, 302-horsepower, dual-overhead-cam, 32-valve, V8 that delivers 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s a refinement of the new Grand Marquis’ 4.6-liter, single-overhead-cam V8, which offers 220 or 235 horses.
   While impressive, the 4,165-pound Marauder won’t snap your neck off the line because of its weight, size and comparatively small engine. But it’s certainly no slouch. A performance 3.55:1 rear axle ratio helps initial acceleration.
   Despite its lower horsepower (260), in comparison, the Impala SS was faster out of the hole — which is what a muscle car is basically all about. In my view, the 335-horse supercharged V8 shown in the concept Marauder convertible at this year’s auto shows would make this car a genuine monster.
   Behind the wheel, the speed-sensitive variable-assist steering is quick, and the firm sport suspension produces a generally comfortable, quiet ride. It did seem a little squirrelly to me at times on irregular road surfaces though.
   Because the Marauder shares the conservative styling of the Grand Marquis and sibling Ford Crown Vic, it’s subtly distinctive. The Marauder has large 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and oversized chromed dual exhaust tips. It only comes in black and has serious a monochromatic look, with non-functional headlight unit areas blacked out. Dark blue paint will be offered shortly.
   The estimated fuel economy is nothing to write home about at 17 mpg in the city and 23 on highway. But then again, this is a big car, so what do you expect? Premium fuel is necessary due to the fairly high 9.85:1 compression ratio of the V8.
   Inside, the Marauder comfortably seats four tall adults. The black leather interior is quiet and comfortable, has a businesslike look and features special gauges, front bucket seats, a large console with cupholders and a floor shifter. The back seat is large enough to do what we did back there in the 60s if you’re so inclined.
   The trunk is large with some extra storage compartments in the floor — although the full-size spare tire does take up a fair amount of cargo space.
   The Marauder is well equipped. The only options are a $350 trunk-mounted, 6-disc CD player and a $200 trunk organizer. A $305 leather coat with the Marauder logo is offered for the passenger to match the leather jacket that comes standard for the driver.

Whines: Most of the controls and instrumentation are well placed, easy to read and use, but the special secondary gauges positioned low on the console and behind the shift lever are difficult to read. The modified transmission is generally responsive but upshifts too soon for high-performance driving during part-throttle acceleration.

Applause: The one-of-a-kind Marauder is genuinely fun to drive. It offers good acceleration above 35 mph, athletic handling and short stopping distances as well as a comfortable, quiet ride.

Bottom Line: Some analysts believe Ford should send Mercury to join its long time competitor, Oldsmobile — in the history books. But the company insists Mercury has new products in the pipeline that will make it more appealing to younger buyers. This car is genuinely exciting — and practical. Although a more powerful engine would really put it in step with Mercury’s high-performance legacy, if this is a preview of things to come, Olds can retire alone.