Comfort first for Fords flagship sedan
If you're looking at the photo, you probably think you're seeing the new Ford Five Hundred. Close, but no flagship sedan.
The Five-Hundred namesake wasn't selling enough units, so Ford decided to leave the three-digit-number cars to Chrysler and bring back a familiar name from years gone by.
The resulting new Taurus is not simply a quick and dirty rebadge either. There have been extensive changes to much of the machine, inside and out. It's now safer, quieter, more powerful and more exciting to look at. And, the CVT transmission is gone, which is nice.
Striking style
The first change you'll recognize is the styling. It's a magnificent and important looking sedan from any angle, and it hits the streets wearing more chrome than the 50 Cent en route to a video shoot. Taurus also dons Ford's trademark triple-blade front grille, and in back, clear-taillamps sit underneath an integrated lip spoiler.
It's all done with a sense of nostalgic huge-sedan style, but from no angle does it blend in to the sea of 'me-too' land-yachts currently on the road.
Spacious and well made interior
Inside, the theme follows a collection of contemporary elements presented with modern flare. I'm a big fan of the wood trim, chrome and varying textures across the doors and dashboard- the centre of which is set off with a classy looking timepiece. This sits above a DVD based navigation system with satellite radio and in-dash 6-CD changer.
The assembly quality inside Taurus is excellent too, and the selection of materials puts soft-touch paneling just about everywhere like its little bro, the Fusion.
Taurus offers power adjustable pedals, automatic climate control, and a fold-flat front passenger seat. Flip it down, and you can carry aboard a nine-foot ladder. A keypad system allows access by entering a 5-digit password and proved a handy feature during a busy week of testing.
If you're looking at the photo, you probably think you're seeing the new Ford Five Hundred. Close, but no flagship sedan.
The Five-Hundred namesake wasn't selling enough units, so Ford decided to leave the three-digit-number cars to Chrysler and bring back a familiar name from years gone by.
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| The 2008 Taurus is a revisited version of last year's Five Hundred. |
The resulting new Taurus is not simply a quick and dirty rebadge either. There have been extensive changes to much of the machine, inside and out. It's now safer, quieter, more powerful and more exciting to look at. And, the CVT transmission is gone, which is nice.
Striking style
The first change you'll recognize is the styling. It's a magnificent and important looking sedan from any angle, and it hits the streets wearing more chrome than the 50 Cent en route to a video shoot. Taurus also dons Ford's trademark triple-blade front grille, and in back, clear-taillamps sit underneath an integrated lip spoiler.
It's all done with a sense of nostalgic huge-sedan style, but from no angle does it blend in to the sea of 'me-too' land-yachts currently on the road.
Spacious and well made interior
Inside, the theme follows a collection of contemporary elements presented with modern flare. I'm a big fan of the wood trim, chrome and varying textures across the doors and dashboard- the centre of which is set off with a classy looking timepiece. This sits above a DVD based navigation system with satellite radio and in-dash 6-CD changer.
The assembly quality inside Taurus is excellent too, and the selection of materials puts soft-touch paneling just about everywhere like its little bro, the Fusion.
Taurus offers power adjustable pedals, automatic climate control, and a fold-flat front passenger seat. Flip it down, and you can carry aboard a nine-foot ladder. A keypad system allows access by entering a 5-digit password and proved a handy feature during a busy week of testing.
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| Everything in the Taurus is impressive - from material quality to standard equipments and cargo capacity. |