In 1986, Ford Motor Company created a shockwave in the auto industry with the introduction of the first-generation Taurus midsize sedan. Through the years, however, competitors got increasingly and collectively fiercer and, despite numerous attempts to catch up, the Taurus soon was relegated to vehicle fleets. The latest unsuccessful try involved a rebadged Ford Five Hundred, a car that executives desperately want to forget.
At the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit, the blue-oval automaker struck back with a completely-revamped model. Similar to the original, the 2010 Ford Taurus is attacking the competition head on with the same "post-kinetic" design language that's being applied to the newest Ford products sold in North America. Talk about an improvement! In fact, said language will eventually be used for the entire lineup.
The best ingredients
It looks like Ford once again found the recipe to concoct successful sedans. The new Taurus styling is fresh and modern and definitely not as unorthodox as the 1996 iteration. The inspired design includes family ties to the Lincoln MKS, especially from the sides, while the rear end is very reminiscent of the Interceptor Concept.
Up front, the massive fascia and prominent grille are part of Ford's new corporate signature. The beltline is fairly high while the truncated rear section conveys power in a tauter package.
The interior exceeds typical brand standards. The twin-cockpit layout is relatively basic yet surprisingly well executed. Designers favored function over form, understated elegance over bold extravagance. The instrument panel is particularly attractive with powerful backlighting that makes the various gauges easier to read.
A Ford Taurus for everyone
The 2010 Ford Taurus will be available in four different trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited and SHO. The first three come standard with a 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter Duratec V6, while the almighty SHO benefits from the all-new, 365-horsepower 'EcoBoost' variant. The latter promises V8-like performance along with the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder.
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| Will the new Taurus manage to create the same kind of shockwave as in 1986? |
At the 2009 NAIAS in Detroit, the blue-oval automaker struck back with a completely-revamped model. Similar to the original, the 2010 Ford Taurus is attacking the competition head on with the same "post-kinetic" design language that's being applied to the newest Ford products sold in North America. Talk about an improvement! In fact, said language will eventually be used for the entire lineup.
The best ingredients
It looks like Ford once again found the recipe to concoct successful sedans. The new Taurus styling is fresh and modern and definitely not as unorthodox as the 1996 iteration. The inspired design includes family ties to the Lincoln MKS, especially from the sides, while the rear end is very reminiscent of the Interceptor Concept.
Up front, the massive fascia and prominent grille are part of Ford's new corporate signature. The beltline is fairly high while the truncated rear section conveys power in a tauter package.
The interior exceeds typical brand standards. The twin-cockpit layout is relatively basic yet surprisingly well executed. Designers favored function over form, understated elegance over bold extravagance. The instrument panel is particularly attractive with powerful backlighting that makes the various gauges easier to read.
A Ford Taurus for everyone
The 2010 Ford Taurus will be available in four different trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited and SHO. The first three come standard with a 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter Duratec V6, while the almighty SHO benefits from the all-new, 365-horsepower 'EcoBoost' variant. The latter promises V8-like performance along with the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder.
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| The inspired design includes family ties to the Lincoln MKS, while the rear end of the Interceptor Concept. |