Ford Taurus
- Not to be confused with the Ford Taunus.
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The Ford Taurus (from Latin "bull") is a midsize car sold by the Ford Motor Company in North America. Introduced in December 1985 as a 1986 model, Ford sold nearly 7 million Tauruses during its 20 years of production.[1] The Taurus also had a Mercury sibling called the Sable.
The car was given a minor facelift in 1992 and a major redesign in 1996, followed by two design updates in 2000 and 2004. Between 1992 and 1996, the Taurus was the best-selling car in the United States, losing the title in 1997. [2] During that period, the Ford F-150 remained the country's best selling vehicle—and, several other vehicles not classified as "cars" also ranked higher in sales than the Taurus.
Introduction and competition
In 1985, the Chrysler Corporation issued surveys to predict the success of their upcoming Dodge Dynasty and the redesigned Chrysler New Yorker (both of which wouldn't appear until 1987 for the 1988 model year). According to Chrysler, the surveys predicted that the Taurus and Sable would be hopeless flops, and that the Dynasty and New Yorker would take the sales lead. Not surprisingly, it actually turned out to be the exact opposite, with the Taurus/Sable twins selling very well, while the Dynasty and New Yorker needed rebates right from the start because of slow sales. This is mostly because the Sable/Taurus twins offered sleek, new contempary designs, while the Dynasty and New Yorker used more boxy, conventional designs. Perhaps due to this, the New Yorker and Dynasty were succeeded by new, more radically styled sedans based on Chrysler's new LH platform in 1993.[3]
In fact, Ford executives believed the same thing. They believed that the Taurus' futuristic design (so futuristic they were used as police cars in the movie Robocop) would turn off potential buyers, and even the Taurus' designer, Jack Telnack, expected it to be a modern day Edsel. (in fact, the name Edsel was proposed, with the advertising tagline "Now we are serious", but this was rejected). Ford decided that the Taurus was a risk, but they were willing to put it into production - and it paid off. The Taurus saved Ford from bankruptcy, and what started out as an extreme risk would become Ford's best-selling model, with over 1 million sold by 1989. [4]
First generation (1986–1991)
The 1986 Ford Taurus was a very important and successful midsize sedan that introduced a radical new design philosophy. Replacing the Ford LTD, the front wheel drive Taurus introduced North America to a much rounder and more organic design. Often described as "jelly bean" shaped, the design proved successful and helped to launch Ford into a new era of prosperity. The Taurus ultimately led to a design revolution that saw the end of the 'boxy' cars of the 1970s and 1980s.
For 1986, the engines werea 90 hp (67 kW) 2.5 L 4-cylinder found in the MT-5 and L models or a new 140 hp (104 kW) 3.0 L Vulcan V6, optional on the L and standard on the GL and LX models. The MT-5 was equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, while all other models used a 3-speed automatic.
The MT-5 and L models were basic and cheap, starting at US$10,500, with the GL offering a few interior upgrades like rear headrests and a folding armrest as well as the standard 3.0 L V6. The LX was loaded with air conditioning, power windows, seats, and door locks, a casette stereo, and cruise control, though these features were also available as options on the other cars. The top of the line LX station wagon sold for $14,300.
Ford's 3.8 L Essex V6 was added to the lineup in 1988. Although the power output was rated at the same 140 hp (104 kW) as the 3.0 L engine, this large V6 produced 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) of torque, a welcome addition especially in the heavier wagons. There was no more 5-speed wagon that year, while the L model was upgraded with a split bench in front and exterior power mirrors. The SHO model was added for 1989, and became the only manual transmission Taurus as the MT-5 model was eliminated.
In 1990, the interior was facelifted, incorporating a new steering wheel design in order to fit an airbag, a new column shifter/floor shifter, and a new dashboard with a new instrument panel. The 2.5 L four got SFI, bumping up power by 15 hp (11.2 kW) and torque by 10 ft·lbf (13.6 N·m), as did the 3.0 L V6, though output remained the same for that engine. The 3.8 L continued unchanged. All but the SHO got a 4-speed automatic for 1990 and a new electronic AXOD-E transmission in 1991. LX-package cars also got standard anti-lock brakes that year.
First generation SHO
The SHO model, which debuted in 1989 with a sticker price of around USD $20,000, changed the dull reputation of the Taurus. Powered by a special "Super-High Output" 24-valve V6 (developed with Yamaha), it featured vastly improved performance. With mid-6-second 0-to-60 mph (97 km/h) times, and a top speed around 145 mph (233 km/h), it could keep up with such performance cars as Ford's own Mustang GT, Camaro Z28s, and the Diamond Star Motors cars (Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon) in turbocharged form. It was said to be the most powerful and quickest front wheel drive car ever made when it was introduced, though fans of the 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado begged to differ.
The SHO, however, wasn't the sales success that Ford had hoped. It had little exterior differentiation from other Taurus models, displaying understated ground effects and plain colors. The interior was very different, giving way to very comfortable and supportive sports seats, and an 8000 rpm tachometer. The SHO became the only Taurus to feature a manual transmission since the MT5 was discontinued in that year.
Awards
The first-generation Taurus LX was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1986. It was also on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list each year it was produced, from 1986 through 1991.
Models
| Model | Year | Transmission | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT-5 | 1986–1988 | 5-speed MTX manual | 2.5 L HSC I4 | 90 hp (67 kW) | 130 ft·lbf (176 N·m) |
| L | 1986–1990 | 3-speed ATX automatic | |||
| L | 1991 | 2.5 L SFI HSC I4 | 105 hp (78 kW) | 140 ft·lbf (190 N·m) | |
| L GL LX |
1986–1989 | 3.0 L Vulcan V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) | |
| GL LX |
1988–1989 | 3.8 L Essex V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) | |
| L GL LX |
1990 | 4-speed AXOD automatic | 3.0 L Vulcan V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) |
| GL LX |
1990 | 3.8 L Essex V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) | |
| L GL LX |
1991 | 4-speed AXOD-E automatic | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) |
| GL LX |
1991 | 3.8 L Essex V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) | |
| SHO | 1989–1991 | 5-speed MTX-IV manual | 3.0 L SHO V6 | 220 hp (164 kW) | 200 ft·lbf (271 N·m) |
Second generation (1992–1995)
The Taurus received its first cosmetic update in 1992, which modernized the interior and the front and rear fascias. With the older Taurus facing slumping sales, this new model brought sales back up again, with 400,000 [5] units sold during 1992. While the design was basically the same, every body panel except for the roof was changed. This also gave the Taurus what Ford called a "smarter appointed interior", which offered such luxuries as automatic climate control, and a center console was made available for people who didn't want the Taurus' front bench seat. The Taurus was the best-selling car in the United States for every year of the second generation.
The four-cylinder engine was eliminated, and the SHO was to soon get an automatic transmission as an option. The low-buck L trim was also dropped for 1993, with a passenger's-side airbag added for 1994.
The last year of this second-generation Taurus was 1995, and a sportier SE model was added. It featured alloy wheels and dumped the front bench in favor of bucket seats separated by a console. The other models gained standard air conditioning and rear window defroster.
Second generation SHO
The SHO model continued with the same powertrain as before — the 5-speed manual transmission remained unique in the Taurus lineup.
The lack of an automatic transmission in the first-generation SHO had hurt sales, a situation Ford rectified in 1993. A 3.2 L version of the Ford SHO V6 engine was introduced for automatic-equipped SHOs, which still had 220 hp (164 kW), but now boasted 215 ft·lb (292 Nm), a 15 ft·lbf (20.3 N·m) increase over the 3.0 L version.
A "special" edition of the SHO was offered that had some diffrent styling cues from the "normal" SHO, like a new hood, painted wheels, and other cosmetic details [6]
Awards
The second-generation Taurus earned a seventh spot for the car on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list for 1992.
Models
| Model | Year | Transmission | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 1992 | 4-speed AXOD-E automatic | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) |
| GL LX |
1992–1992 | ||||
| 3.8 L Essex V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) | |||
| GL LX |
1993–1995 | 4-speed AX4N automatic | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) |
| 3.8 L Essex V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) | |||
| SE | 1995 | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) | |
| 3.8 L Essex V6 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) | |||
| SHO | 1992–1995 | 5-speed MTX-IV manual | 3.0 L SHO V6 | 220 hp (164 kW) | 200 ft·lbf (271 N·m) |
| 1993–1995 | 4-speed AX4S automatic | 3.2 L SHO V6 | 220 hp (164 kW) | 215 ft·lbf (291 N·m) |
Third generation (1996–1999)
The 1996 model year saw the first complete redesign for the Taurus. Ford hoped the radical redesign would lead to the same success it had had with the 1986 Taurus. The controversial oval theme was not well received by the press and the public, and is ultimately blamed as the reason it lost its bestseller status to the Toyota Camry in 1997. [7]
Another factor that is largely to blame for the sales decline of the Taurus was the substantial price increase from the previous model. The MSRP for the 1996 model increased US$2,500 over the 1995 Taurus. The 1996 Taurus attempted to move upscale, and the result was a car with more standard and optional features. The 1996 model also saw the introduction of the 200 hp (149 kW) 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6.
Trim lines were now known as G at the bottom, with GL in the middle and LX as the most-luxurious. The SHO continued with a new 3.4 L V8 engine. The Taurus was a flexible-fuel vehicle for 1997, and earned LEV status in California, but sales were faltering.
In an effort to reverse the flagging sales of the Taurus, Ford tried to increase the appeal of the third generation model by making some cosmetic changes for the 1998 and 1999 model years. These changes included redesigning the grille openings in the front, changing the design from two oval openings to a more SHO-like full width opening for the air dam (minus the bar running through the center), and moving the Ford logo down into an enlarged opening between the lights mounted onto a Jaguar-esque "motif bar". These years also got more attractive headlight lenses, featuring completely clear lenses and a multi-reflector surface in the rear of the housing around the bulb; these were known as the "disco ball" headlights. The rear turn signal lenses were also changed from orange to red to match the rest of the lightbar assembly, presumably to present a more "sleek" appearance. Ford also eliminated the two downmarket trim levels, G and GL, and introduced an upscale SE model.
Although all 1998 models had the option of the DOHC Duratec engine, it was only available on the SE for 1999. This same year, the front buckets, reintroduced with the SE, became optional on the LX.
Third generation SHO
A 235 hp (175 kW) 3.4 L DOHC V8 was specified for the SHO model, but the 5-speed manual transmission was gone. The V8 in the SHO model (produced from 1996 to 1999), was very impressive, but lacked the acceleration and power of the previous DOHC 3.0 L V6 SHO. These engines were assembled by Yamaha in Japan but more parts were made by Ford than in the earlier Yamaha-built V6.
Separation of the camshaft from its sprocket (components shared with at least one other Ford engine with significantly lower output) has been implicated in a growing number of catastrophic failures of this engine around the 50,000 mile mark. The standard warranty on this model was 36,000 miles. [8] [9]
Models
| Model | Year | Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G GL |
1996–1997 | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 145 hp (108 kW) | 180 ft·lbf (244 N·m) | 4-speed AX4N automatic |
| 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6 | 200 hp (149 kW) | 195 ft·lbf (264 N·m) | |||
| LX | 1996–1997 | ||||
| LX SE |
1998 | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 145 hp (108 kW) | 180 ft·lbf (244 N·m) | |
| 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6 | 200 hp (149 kW) | 195 ft·lbf (264 N·m) | |||
| LX | 1999 | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 145 hp (108 kW) | 180 ft·lbf (244 N·m) | |
| SE | 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6 | 200 hp (149 kW) | 195 ft·lbf (264 N·m) | ||
| SHO | 1996–1999 | 3.4 L SHO V8 | 235 hp (175 kW) | 230 ft·lbf (312 N·m) | 4-speed AX4S automatic |
Fourth generation (2000–2006)
The Taurus received a another redesign in 2000, which gave birth to the fourth generation. It minimized some of the oval design elements from the 1996 model. The redesign also featured a taller roof over the rear-passenger space to increase passenger headroom sacrificed by the tapered 1996 design. The taller and roomier trunk also served to make the vehicle more functional. The interior was also completely swapped out for a much more conservative design. Certain elements of the interior were retained from the 1996 model, such as the integrated control console which combined the sound system and climate controls into one panel. The suspension was also softened to appeal to a broader, non-sporting audience. To reduce the price and increase profitability, the Ford Taurus was also stripped of many standard and optional features such as 4-wheel disc brakes. The cost-cutting ultimately led to a vehicle with poor-quality materials and fewer features, but more reliable transmissions. The Taurus SHO did not return for 2000.
2002 Tauruses included extra equipment on every trim level, including a CD player and power driver's seat on the SE, a power moonroof or leather interior on the SES, and both of these luxury options on the SEL. Side airbags and traction control were added as options on all models.
For 2004, the Taurus received minor cosmetic changes to the front and rear fascias, including an eggcrage grille. Inside were a new instrument cluster and steering wheel. 2005 saw few changes, as the Taurus's days were numbered.
Models
| Model | Year | Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX SE SES |
2000–2006 | 3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6 | 155 hp (116 kW) | 185 ft·lbf (251 N·m) | 4-speed AX4N automatic |
| 3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6 | 200 hp (149 kW) | 195 ft·lbf (264 N·m) | |||
| SEL |
The end
Facing slumping sales and poor customer satisfaction, in 2005, Ford replaced the Taurus in commercial markets with the 2006 Ford Fusion, which is based on the Mazda6 sedan.
Production of the Taurus wagon was discontinued in January 2005.
In 2005, Ford stopped selling the Taurus to the public. The model year 2006 Taurus is sold exclusively to rental fleets, such as The Hertz Corporation, but is still sold to the Canadian market. The vehicle is slated to cease production altogether in August 2006. New 2006 models can still be found on eBay. [10]
Export models
The 1996-2000 model was exported outside North America to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, in right hand drive, but this proved unsuccessful. In these right hand drive markets, the Taurus possessed an unusual Mercury Sable grille but a Taurus-style rear, due to those countries' regulations regarding headlights. Australians and New Zealanders tended to stay away from the cars due to their high price; a well equipped, larger-engined rear wheel drive Ford Fairmont cost around the same amount. While Japan got the station wagon, Australian buyers could only opt for a high-spec sedan with the Taurus Ghia badge.
References
- ^
{{cite book}}: Empty citation (help) - "Generations: Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable". Edmunds.com. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^
{{cite book}}: Empty citation (help) - "Ford Taurus". Consumer Guide. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "End of Ford Taurus closes era". Detroit News. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - "Ford Taurus offical website". Ford.com. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - "homepage". Taurus Car Club. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "homepage". SHO times. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "homepage". V8SHO.com. January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help)
External links
- Taurus SHO Article
- Ford Taurus official website
- Ford Taurus Smart Guide
- Taurus Car Club of America
- Taurus Car Club of America-Taurus/Sable Encyclopedia
- Ford Taurus history
- SHOTimes: The Original Taurus SHO Information Site
- V8SHO - Site Dedicated to the 1996-1999 V8 Ford Taurus SHO
- SHO Model Information
- Ford Taurus.NET Pictures/Information.
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