Tuesday 19th March 1985

Ford launched the third generation of its Granada. The Granada Mk3’s main claim to fame was that it was the first European car to offer ABS across the range as standard. In Europe, the all-new car received an all-new name – Scorpio – but in the UK Ford didn’t want to risk further alienating existing customers with its new hatchback, and used the moniker to denote the top models in the range – above the Ghia. Engine options included the familiar SOHC Pinto engine, in either tax-barrier undercutting 1.8 L form, or a more powerful 2-litre version with fuel injection available. The Cologne V6 engines were carried over from the previous range in short-lived (and not much more powerful than the 2 L Pinto) 2.4 L, and 2.8 L (later 2.9 L) capacities. In 1991, a new range-topping vehicle was introduced, the Scorpio 24-valve. It featured a 2.9 L Cologne engine that had been extensively reworked by Cosworth Engineering and featured quad camshafts and 24 valves, enough for 200 bhp (150 kW). According to Ford, this gave a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds and top speed of 140 mph (230 km/h).