From Ford Wiki

Fifth-generation Ford Taurus

Automotive industry	Ford Motor Company
Production	2007-2009
Assembly	Chicago, Illinois
Predecessor	Fourth-generation Ford Taurus Ford Five Hundred
Successor	Sixth-generation Ford Taurus
Car classification	Full-size
Car body style	4-door Sedan (car)
Automobile layout	Front-engine design, Front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Automobile platform	Ford D3 platform
Internal combustion engine	3.5 L DOHC Duratec 35 (Cyclone) V6 engine
Transmission (mechanics)	6-speed 6F Automatic transmission
Wheelbase	112.7 in (2862.6 mm)
Length	201.8 in (5125.7 mm)
Width	74.1 in (1882.1 mm)
Height	61.2 in (1554.5 mm)
Curb weight	FWD: 3,741 lb (1,697 kg) AWD: 3,930 lb (1,780 kg)
Related	Ford Taurus X Mercury Sable Lincoln MKS Ford Flex Volvo XC90
Automotive design	J Mays

The Fifth-generation Ford Taurus is an Automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2008 until 2009. It is the fifth in six generations of the Ford Taurus. However, it is sold under the Taurus name only in the United States and Canada since the Ford Five Hundred was sold in Mexico.

This generation of the Taurus is sold in the Middle East as the Ford Five Hundred.^[1]

Contents 1 Background 2 Overview 2.1 Exterior 2.2 Interior 2.3 Models and Engines 3 Variants 3.1 Mercury Sable 3.2 Ford Taurus X 4 Notes and References 5 External links

Background

The Ford Taurus was discontinued in late 2006 due to slumping sales. ^[2] However, this caused a controversy within the auto industry, with popular automotive websites such as Autoblog ^[3] and The Truth About Cars ^[4] expressing their disappointment at Ford for letting the Taurus nameplate decline. MSNBC interviewed many Ford workers who felt that Ford unjustly abandoned the car that had done so much to revitalize Ford and the US industry. In an October 25, 2006 USA Today editorial, "How Ford starved its Taurus" it was noted that the Japanese stick with their winners and make them better (such as the Toyota Corolla, which has been in continuous production since the 1960s),^[5] while Detroit automakers retires cars or entire division nameplates in search of "the next big thing".^[6]

How can it go away? It's the best selling car in America. —Alan Mulally, 2006[7]

However, after Alan Mulally became Ford's CEO, rumors were rampant that he was interested in reviving the Taurus. These were fueled by the fact that he said in an interview with the Associated Press that he was baffled to find out that the Taurus had been discontinued when taking position as CEO at Ford, as well as stating that he believed that discontinuing the Taurus was a mistake, and that the Five Hundred should have been named "Taurus" from the beginning.^[7] The rumors of a possible Taurus revival were confirmed in mid 2007, when the revamped versions of the Five Hundred and Freestyle were unveiled as "Taurus" and "Taurus X" at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, a decision that was influenced strongly by Mulally.^[7] In a later interview, Mulally explained that the fact that the Taurus was well known and had a positive brand equity associated with it strongly influenced his decision to revive the name.^[8]

Overview

Exterior

The Exterior of the Fifth-generation Taurus is largely carried over from the Five Hundred. Apart from that of the front fascia, the Taurus is practically identical to that of the Five Hundred. Some design features on the Taurus were first used on a 2007 option package for the Five Hundred entitled the "chrome package".

The Taurus has a different front fascia that has Ford's signature three bar grille, new headlights, a new front bumper with fog lights, and side fender vents. The Taurus also gains new wheels, each differed on whether the SEL or Limited model was specified. Around the back, the Taurus has Toyota Altezza style clear taillights and an added roof mounted Satellite radio adapter. However, despite these new design features, the Taurus' shape has been criticized for looking too similar to that of the Volkswagen Passat. ^[9]

Interior

As with the exterior, the interior of the Fifth-generation Taurus is largely carried over from the Five Hundred. However, it offers many subtle differences such as using a darker shade of woodgrain, a new Steering wheel, among other changes.

The Radio is a new design that has Chrome trim around the buttons, a new double tiered bin is in the center console, and there is a new shifter that is of a different design. However, the most notable feature of the Fifth-generation's interior - a feature that was new for the Taurus - was Ford's SYNC system, developed by Microsoft. This feature accepts voice commands, and can connect the driver's Cell phone and MP3 player to the car, while organizing personal information. ^[10]

Models and Engines

Main article: List of Ford Taurus models#Fifth generation

The fifth generation Taurus is now offered in three models; the SE, SEL and Limited. The SE is the base model that costs approximately $24,000 United States dollar, with the middle option SEL costing around $26,000 USD And the top of the line version Limited, which costs $30,000 USD. ^[10] This generation of Taurus uses the 263 hp 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 which replaces the 203 hp (151 kW) Duratec 30 3.0 L V6. The Five Hundred/Freestyle's ZF-Batavia Continuously variable transmission, which had maximum torque capacity of 221 lb·ft (300 N·m), is also replaced with a Ford-GM joint venture six-speed Automatic transmission capable of withstanding the Duratec 35s additional torque. The Aisin AW six-speed automatic that was used on FWD Five Hundred and Montegos was also replaced by the new six-speed. ^[11]

Variants

Mercury Sable

Main article: Mercury Sable

As with the Taurus, the Sable name was resurrected to apply to an updated version of the Mercury Montego. However, the changes from the Montego to the Sable are more extensive to that of the Five Hundred to the Taurus. From the Montego, the Sable sports a new front fascia, hood, fenders, trunk, and taillights. Inside, the Sable offers similar options and features to the Taurus, although it has the unique features of two toned leather seats and light woodgrain trim. The Sable offers the same drivetrain improvements as the Taurus.

Ford Taurus X

Main article: Ford Taurus X

When the revived Taurus was launched, a Crossover SUV variant was launched with it, entitles the Taurus X. As how the Taurus is revived from the Five Hundred, the Taurus X was revived from the Ford Freestyle, itself based on the Five Hundred. The Taurus X sports a revised front fascia, hood, wheels, fenders, and tailights over the Freestyle. It also contains the same drivetrain improvements as the Taurus and Sable. As with the Taurus, the Taurus X also boasts some minor interior changes, mainly with the addition of the Microsoft SYNC system as an option. ^[12] The Taurus X is offered in three models; SEL, the Limited, and a top of the range Eddie Bauer edition.

Notes and References

External links

Wikinews has related news: Ford Taurus to be revived

• Official Ford Taurus website
• Taurus Car Club of America

v • Modern North American Ford vehicles • e Ford vehicles timeline (North America, classic) — Ford road car timeline, North America market, 1980s–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact car	Fiesta						Festiva								Aspire
	Pinto	Escort										Escort						Escort
Compact car	Fairmont				Tempo				Tempo							Contour					Focus								Focus
Mid-size car	Granada			LTD																							Fusion
							Taurus						Taurus				Taurus				Taurus
Full-size car																										Five Hundred			Taurus
	LTD			LTD Crown Victoria									Crown Victoria						Crown Victoria
Personal luxury car	Thunderbird			Thunderbird						Thunderbird													Thunderbird
Sport compact			EXP				EXP			Probe				Probe					Escort ZX2				ZX2
Sports car	Mustang														Mustang											Mustang
																										GT

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