Deriving its name from the most powerful engines available to the Mercury line, the Marauder was marketed as the highest-performance version of the full-size product range.

Introduced as a 19631⁄2 model line for its first production run, the Mercury Marauder was distinguished by its sloped roofline (shared with the Ford Galaxie).

The Mercury Marauder nameplate was revived for the 2003 model year as a high-performance variant of the full-size Grand Marquis using the Ford Panther platform.

This Marauder engine version was also optional in Mercury's midline Montclair models and the Colony Park station wagon.

[2] While the 430 V8 engine block was shared with Lincoln, the Super Marauder featured a unique intake manifold and "tri-power" 3x2-barrel carburetors.

Offered for the entire Mercury line, the Super Marauder was developed as a competitor for the 392 Hemi of the Chrysler 300C high-performance coupe.

For the 1960 model year, the Marauder V8 became an option across the entire Mercury line, including the Monterey, Park Lane, and Commuter.

[5] Along with the "sportier" roofline, the Marauder S-55 trim package included bucket seats and a center console, similar to its Ford counterpart.

With this positioning, the Marauder became a trim option available on the Park Lane, Montclair, and Monterey series in two- or four-door hardtop body styles.

[1] Positioned as a personal luxury car, the Marauder replaced the performance-oriented S-55 and sought to appeal to the interest generated by the Lincoln Continental Mark III introduced in 1968 and the Mercury Cougar while competing for buyers of the 1969 Ford Thunderbird.

Similar in concept to its 1960s namesake, the new Marauder offered upgraded chassis, suspension, and powertrain components over the standard Grand Marquis.

For the first time since 1960, Mercury offered a full-size sedan with no Ford counterpart, developing it to appeal to the niche last filled by the 1994 through 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS.

[11] The 2003–2004 Marauder utilized the Panther platform, adopting the chassis upgrades introduced as part of its 2003 update (including the introduction of rack-and-pinion steering).

The Marauder shared its limited-slip differential (and 3.55:1 rear-axle ratio) with the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor,[16] along with its aluminum driveshaft.

In contrast to the Grand Marquis, the only chrome on the Marauder is its window trim, wheels, and Mercury emblems on the grille and trunk lid.

The taillight and reverse light lenses (from the Crown Victoria LX Sport) were dark-tinted to the minimum of DOT standards.

The interior of the Marauder resembled the configuration of the 2002 concept convertible, adopting a five-seat layout with a center console-mounted transmission shifter (shared with the Crown Victoria LX Sport and Grand Marquis LSE).

Unique among Panther platform vehicles (at the time), the Marauder was fitted with a tachometer, requiring the relocation of the voltmeter and oil pressure gauges (forward of the shifter).

2003 model year Marauders built after December 2002 lost numerous standard features, including remote locking fuel doors, an auto parking brake pedal release, an engine compartment lamp, an in-dash clock, foam headliner sound deadening inserts, and front bottom seat pouches.