Ford Taurus (sixth generation)

Ford Taurus (sixth generation)

2010 Ford Taurus Limited
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Also called Ford Police Interceptor Sedan
Production June 15, 2009 – present[1]
Model years 2010—present
Assembly Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (Chicago Assembly)
Designer Earl Lucas (2007)
Body and chassis
Class Full-size
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform Ford D3 platform
Related Lincoln MKS
Lincoln Continental
Ford Taurus SHO
Ford Explorer
Lincoln MKT
Ford Flex
Volvo XC90
Powertrain
Engine 3.5 L Cyclone V6 263 hp (2010–2012)
3.5 L Cyclone V6 288 hp (2013–present)
3.5 L EcoBoost V6 365 hp (2010–present)
3.7 L Cyclone V6 305 hp (Police Interceptor Sedan, all-wheel drive only) (2013-present)
2.0 L EcoBoost I4 240 hp (2013–present)
Transmission 6F35 6-speed automatic (2.0T)
6F50 6-speed automatic (3.5L)
6F55 6-speed automatic (3.5TT)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 112.9 in (2,868 mm)
Length 202.9 in (5,154 mm)
Width 76.2 in (1,935 mm)
Height 60.7 in (1,542 mm)
Curb weight 4,015 lb (1,821 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Ford Taurus (fifth generation)
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

The sixth-generation Ford Taurus is a full-size car that has been manufactured by Ford since June 2009.[1] As with its predecessor, the sixth-generation Taurus is a large four-door sedan. After an eleven-year hiatus, the Ford Taurus SHO made its return to the lineup. Sharing the D3 architecture with its predecessor, the Taurus is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive.

While not a direct replacement for the Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis, the Taurus is the largest and longest Ford-brand sedan currently sold worldwide[2] and competes in the same price range as the preceding vehicles. The replacement for the long-running Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, named the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan, derives many of its underpinnings from the Ford Taurus SHO.

The Taurus, Taurus SHO, and Police Interceptor Sedan are built in Chicago, Illinois.

Development and marketing

2008 Ford Five Hundred, which became the fifth-generation Taurus before its launch.

In late 2006, Ford Motor Company named Boeing CEO Alan Mulally to replace William Clay Ford, Jr. as its own chief executive. One of his first decisions was to abandon the unpopular "F" model naming scheme for Ford-division cars. A critic of the discontinuation of the Taurus, Mullaly designated the 2008 mid-cycle refresh of the Ford Five Hundred to be released as a re-introduced Taurus. While the redesign itself addressed several deficiencies of the Five Hundred, particularly the powertrain, it was still criticized for its handling and bland styling,[3] with one reviewer describing it as a "SUV shaped like a sedan".[4]

In January 2008, revealing that the fifth-generation Taurus was to be replaced around the 2010 model year, Alan Mulally stated that the upcoming model was "the one we should have built originally".[5] In April 2008, a leaked photo of a 1:1 scale design mock-up purported to be the 2010 Ford Taurus circulated on the Internet from message boards.[6] Ford contemplated legal action against web sites which posted the photo and Ford attorneys asked site owners to remove the photo.[7]

Ford's USA website showed videos comparing the 2010 Ford Taurus to 2009 model year luxury sedans, including the flagships of several Japanese marques. One test showed that the Taurus' paint coat was more resistant to gravel chips than a Lexus LS460; another noted that the Taurus had a blind-spot detection sensor system that the Infiniti M45x lacked; the third showed the Taurus SHO outpacing the Audi A6 4.2 FSI quattro V8 in straight-line acceleration; the last comparison said that Taurus' cabin was quieter than an Acura RL.[8]

Sales for the sixth generation Taurus are projected to be around 50,000 to 75,000 annually, as Ford planned a lower volume to avoid steep discounts/incentives. Previous iterations of the Taurus, which were classified as midsize cars, had sold 400,000 vehicles per year at their peak in the 1990s.[9]

Release

The 2010 Ford Taurus was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall.[10] In May 2009, the new Taurus debuted at three dealers in the Buffalo, Tampa, and Houston, respectively, to be put on display and to build anticipation for the release. The first dealer, West Herr Ford in Hamburg, New York, was chosen due to the successful unveiling of the redesigned Ford F-150 earlier that year.[11]

The 2009 Taurus's counterparts, the Ford Taurus X and the Mercury Sable, ceased production in spring 2009 at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant. The sixth-generation Taurus' production started on June 15, 2009 for the 2010 model year.[1] Unlike previous generations of the Taurus, the sixth-generation Taurus would not have a Sable counterpart since the Mercury brand was in the process of being phased out by the end of 2010. For the first time since 2002, Lincoln dealers sold a Taurus-based sedan, the Lincoln MKS, introduced as a 2009 model.

Design and features

Ford Taurus SEL
Interior

The design of the sixth-generation Ford Taurus was led by Chief Designer Earl Lucas. Many of the Taurus' design elements were influenced by the music that the design team listened to. According to Earl Lucas, "When you've got good music, it's amazing how many shapes come out".[12] The sixth-generation Taurus also features a three-bar grille and rear end design similar to the Ford Interceptor concept.

The new Taurus also features Ford Sync, push-button start, heated front and rear seats, crash avoidance system, and a lane-changing blind spot warning system. Also new for the Taurus is Ford's new Multi-Contour Seats, which feature air cushions that pad the driver and passenger’s entire back, including three for lumbar support, four for lateral support and four for the seat pad. The bottom cushion features Active Motion technology, which provides a subtle continuous massage, designed to lessen back pain on long trips.[13] The 2010 Taurus was the first vehicle to use the Multi-Contour Seats.

2013 Facelift

2013 Ford Taurus SE

The 2013 refresh of the Taurus was unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show and bears cosmetic changes, new engines, and new technology. The most obvious change is the new front fascia incorporating sharper angles and restyled headlights.

Changes to the rear of the car were minor with the only noticeable change being new taillights and dual exhaust tips (only the SHO has true dual exhaust while the other trim levels use a single exhaust that splits under the car). While the interior remains largely unchanged, the Taurus now incorporates a heated steering wheel, an interactive gauge cluster, and the MyFord Touch system, which includes a new head unit with 8-inch touch screen. Other features new to the 2013 Taurus include an all new Sony sound system featuring HD Radio and iTunes Tagging, Multicontour seats with Active Motion (massage), push-button start, auto high beams, and a rear view camera.

The standard engine on the updated Taurus is the 3.5 Duratec V6, which produces 288 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque while achieving 19 city/29 highway mpg in FWD configuration. A newly available turbocharged 2.0 L EcoBoost 4-cylinder generates 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 270 lb·ft (366 N·m) of torque and achieves 22 city/32 highway mpg. SHO models receive a 3.5 L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, manufacturing 365 hp (272 kW; 370 PS) of power and 350 lb·ft (475 N·m) of torque and paired with a six-speed high capacity 6F55 SelectShift Automatic.[14]


The 2013 Taurus became available at dealerships starting in March 2012 and arrived as the first Taurus in the Middle East for the 2013 model year to replace the Ford Crown Victoria which had ended production at the very end of its 2012 model year.

There are no major changes for the 2014 Ford Taurus, save for new wheel designs and minor tweaks to standard and optional equipment.[15] A lane-keeping assist feature has been added to the Driver Assist package.[15]

Equipment

Variants and trim levels

The sixth generation Ford Taurus was sold in three trim levels, SE, SEL, and Limited.[16]

The base SE model, designed for rental and fleet use, came stock with a 3.5 L 24-valve DOHC Duratec V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise control functions, an AM/FM stereo with a single CD player, clock, MP3 capability, and six speakers, Ford's MyKey system, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control.[16][17]

The mid-range SEL trim level had the same engine, with a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission featuring paddle activation, dual-zone electronic automatic termperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Sirius satellite radio, and a perimeter anti-theft alarm.

The top-of-the-line Limited model featured perforated leather-trim bucket seats, ambient lighting with choices of seven different colors, SYNC voice-activated communication and entertainment system, a premium AM/FM radio with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, chrome-accenting, heated mirrors with memory and security approach lamps, a reverse sensing system and rear view camera.

Taurus SHO

Main article: Ford Taurus SHO
2010 Ford Taurus SHO
2013 Taurus SHO

The 2010 Taurus SHO was unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.[18] It went on sale in summer 2009, with a base MSRP of $37,995 (including destination fees).

The SHO includes a 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 engine rated at 272 kW (370 PS; 365 hp) at 5500 rpm and 475 N·m (350 lb·ft) of torque at 3500 rpm, a SelectShift 6-speed automatic transmission with control paddles mounted on the steering wheel, torque-sensing all-wheel drive, sport-tuned suspension and steering, 19-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle tires (Michelin high-performance tires on the optional 20-inch wheels), a decklid-mounted spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, and SHO-specific parking lamp bezels.

The SHO Performance Package includes upgraded brake pads, recalibrated electronic power-assisted steering for improved responsiveness, a "Sport Mode" setting for the Electronic Stability Control, ability to turn off the AdvanceTrac stability control system, 27mm front anti-roll bar instead of the standard 29mm front anti-roll bar for more neutral turn-in, vented front brake dust shields from the Police Interceptor, cooling package from the Police Interceptor (engine oil, transmission oil, and power transfer unit), a shorter 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio for faster acceleration, and summer-compound 20" Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires with premium painted wheels.0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) time is rated at 5.2 seconds.

Police Interceptor Sedan

2013 Police Interceptor Sedan (unmarked) in Rye, New York.
2013 Police Interceptor Sedan of the Washington DC MPD

When the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) ended production in late 2011, a variant of the sixth-generation Taurus was offered to police forces in early 2012 as a 2013 model. Ford is referring to the new police car simply as the "Police Interceptor Sedan", rather than a Taurus. The standard engine is taken from the Ford Mustang and not available on the civilian Ford Taurus. Its 3.72 L (227 cu. in.) aluminum block V6 engine weighed 40 lb (18 kg) less than the previous version. With 24 valves and Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (TiVCT), it produced 305 hp (227 kW; 309 PS) and 280 lb·ft (380 N·m) of torque. The 3.7 L engine came with a new dual exhaust; gasoline mileage increased to 19 city/31 highway mpg. The ECOBOOST model of the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan features the 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 from the SHO producing 365 hp (272 kW; 370 PS).[19] The Cyclone V6 and EcoBoost versions feature all-wheel drive, like the SHO. The Police Interceptor includes much of Ford's latest safety technology, such as Blind Spot Information System, rear view camera, reverse sensing system, and electronic stability control.[20] Ford states the Police Interceptor Sedan will match the safety record of the CVPI, and have desirable CVPI features unavailable on the Taurus like a column-shifted automatic added back in.[21] In 2014, Ford offered the 4-cylinder engine from its civilian counterpart in the Police Interceptor Sedan as part of a Special Service trim designed for detective and administration uses.[22]

The 2015 model offers 3 engine/drive train configurations:[23]

As Ford considered in 2015 whether to continue producing the Taurus in the United States, one reason to do so was the Police Interceptor Sedan, though the Police Interceptor Utility was more popular and sales of the police sedan are down.[24]

Reception

The Ford scored well in test drives, and the media was pleased with some of the new features available in the 2010 Ford Taurus.[25] Some of these features include all wheel drive, cross traffic alert, collision warning, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.[26] The Taurus shares the powertrain and many available technological options of the Lincoln MKS, which is built on the same platform and mechanical underpinnings, while having a starting MSRP of $10000 USD less than the MKS.[27]

While its predecessor was criticized for dull styling, the new Taurus was described as "big and muscular" to draw attention, albeit "a love-it-or-hate-it affair".[28] Motor Trend stated that "its broad stance, high sill line, slit headlamps, and technical grille give it a leopard look" which was considered handsome.[29]

However, despite being praised for its exterior appearance, it was still criticized for its lack of interior room and reduced sight-lines despite its full-sized exterior dimensions,[29] compared to the previous-generation Five Hundred/Taurus which was praised for its vast interior and greenhouse visibility; one reviewer remarked that while the "old Taurus' interior was cavernous; the new one just feels like a cavern".[26][28][30] Edmunds noted that the eighth-generation Honda Accord (which competes in the mid-size category) had superior driving dynamics and a more efficient design that yielded almost as much interior space as the larger Taurus. Car and Driver described the Taurus as overweight and underpowered, with unresponsive braking and steering, while Motor Trend criticized a few aspects of the interior as evident cost-cutting.[31][32][33]

Safety

2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test ratings:[34]

References and notes

  1. 1 2 3 "2009 Order Cutoff - 2010 Startup" (PDF). ARI. June 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  2. ↑ Title: Big Ford Taurus Powers Way To Top:
  3. ↑ Wiesenfelder, Joe (July 16, 2009). "2010 Ford Taurus Reviews by Cars.com Experts". Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  4. ↑ Riches, Erin (July 20, 2009). "A Product of Their Times". Edmunds Inside Line. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  5. ↑ Spector, Mike (23 January 2008). "Ford CEO Alan Mulally Calls Fed Rate Cut a "Positive"". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  6. ↑ "2010 Ford Taurus". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  7. ↑ "2010 Ford Taurus, Redux". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  8. ↑ Ford Vehicles: 2010 Taurus
  9. ↑ Vlasic, Bill (July 29, 2009). "Revived Taurus is key to the future of Ford". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  10. ↑ "2010 Ford Taurus: A Flagship Returns". Jalopnik. January 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  11. ↑ Hayden, Brian (May 27, 2009). "New Taurus sedan debuts at West-Herr in Hamburg". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  12. ↑ Whitall, Susan (June 6, 2009). "Sharing cool music and creative ideas is what keeps Ford designers fueled". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  13. ↑ http://www.scribd.com/doc/15625987/MultiContour-Seats-Fact-Sheet
  14. ↑ Car Advice, Ford Taurus Unveiled in New York.
  15. 1 2 2014 Ford Taurus, Edmunds.com
  16. 1 2 http://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=Taurus&year=2010&postalCode=
  17. ↑ http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0908_2010_ford_taurus_first_test/viewall.html
  18. ↑ "Chicago 2009: SHO Starter - Ford Taurus SHO kicks off Chicago". Autoblog. February 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  19. ↑ http://www.ford.com/fordpoliceinterceptor/features/#/performance/performance_01/
  20. ↑ http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=32207
  21. ↑ Woodyard, Chris (March 15, 2010). "Automakers' competition fierce for law-enforcement fleets". USA Today.
  22. ↑ http://lowersouthampton.patch.com/articles/police-look-for-crown-victoria-replacement
  23. 1 2 3 4 "EcoBoost Engines Give New Ford Police Vehicles Power and Efficiency". News and Events / All News. Ford Motor Company.
  24. ↑ Bunkley, Nick (17 August 2015). "The Taurus comeback story: Is it the end for ex-champ?". Automotive News.
  25. ↑ 2010 Ford Taurus First Drive
  26. 1 2
  27. ↑
  28. 1 2
  29. 1 2
  30. ↑ Ulrich, Lawrence (December 27, 2009). "A Holiday From Wishful Thinking". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  31. ↑
  32. ↑
  33. ↑
  34. ↑ "2010 Ford Taurus". MSN Autos. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
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